Audience: Sheila Hammond

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Comments

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[a pointed, polite bite of the sandwich.]

Is that a problem?

[they unfortunately do not see that as a problem.]

[toesies]

[POUTING, GRUMBLING.]

I thought it was nice week...

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What about that wasn't nice? Some of the best men at the precinct were the same way.

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And you compliment them like that to their faces?

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Usually I don't compliment them at all.

[sometimes you just don't know how to be nice to people no matter what.]

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They would probably appreciate it if you did, though. Just— sugar coated.

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Sugarcoating isn't really my style, Mrs. Hammond. If a compliment is to be paid, it will be sincerely and they will recognize it for what it is.

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... Because they know you so well...?

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...I've been working with some of them since I was twenty. As strange as it is some of them know me a bit too well by now.

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Oh! That's so young... You must have been the youngest person at your workplace for a while.

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[...looks at when this thread is. but they shrug.]

I was. I passed the bar not long before that. [like that's a problem and a reason why he wasn't working earlier.]

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[this audience is very ripe]

The bar? [...] Wait. Hang on. You passed the bar at twenty?!

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Yes? ["what, like it's hard?"] I was active in court not long after that.

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[...]

I suddenly understand so much now.

[It is kindness week so this just comes out. Kind of awed, when it is not.]

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...[they are not sure what to make of that, so there's a bite of their sandwich and a slow nod.]