I am quite used to it. I got very good at it. You make yourself into someone that people like. [ he says it so matter of factly. he noticed results and leaned into it, got better at it, and boxed up anything about how it made him feel! ] I want to see if he has any real connections, and what they might mean, but we can adjust our strategy. He seems to like your gruffness regardless.

[ he nods. ] I would have no doubt about connections to the corporate world. Did you ever do work with gangs before?