[Well. Abbacchio folds his arms again, listening. Yet again Bruno is putting too much focus on the rest of them, on What does that do for anyone?, and that isn't the point. That was never actually the point--Abbacchio thinks he can safely assume that for all of them, that no one has gone to Bruno looking to cover their own bad feelings with some pretty lies.

And he just said not to bullshit him, and everything.]

What do you think everyone wants you to say? Honestly, tell me, because I have no fucking idea what you're talking about. You think we all got together and picked a magic word and the winner gets a goddamn prize?

[Maybe that's exaggerating. Come on, though; even suggesting lying to appease them is a bit much. Abbacchio needs a moment to rein it in anyway, looking away, jaw clenched tight.

It's difficult, truthfully, to argue. Bruno is usually right. But what the fuck does "benefit" have to do with anything? This isn't a zero-sum game; none of that is the point. Somehow he speaks with markedly less aggression when he continues,]

I don't know what kind of change you're looking for. Or not looking for. I don't know what you think would be worth it. What I do know is that I'm standing on a bridge in the dark and I might as well be talking to the water because I don't think you're really here.