Not every conversational turn is a hit. Daniel is better at asking questions and dissecting the answers later than he is at idle chatter— and better at that than philosophy, too, despite whatever he happens to academically know. He notes the slightly withdraw, but doesn't feel slighted or nervous; impervious to hurt feelings, when it comes to talking. He does so much of it, and it's usually so combative.

"Hey, that's good enough for congress and pornography," he says, clueless of Armand's internal paranoia. Maybe the trap was letting Daniel Molloy talk at all.

"If I'm being honest—"

Wouldn't it be nice if he wasn't? If he could shut up for a minute.

"—I don't know where I stand on morality and judgement, concerning dinner. I trust myself, mostly. I've been calling a lot of quick shots, though, and not following up on whether or not they were the right ones. I can admit that's out of wilful ignorance. I don't want to feel bad about it. So." So. "The best way is to be mindful up front, probably."