She's right, of course. There's nothing that's actually funny or even remotely amusing about any of this. But this is still technically business, and so he keeps the casual grin in place.

"You're right, Doctor. I guess it's easier for me since I wasn't there when Suchong forced a little boy to kill his puppy. In fact, I didn't have anything to do with this at all. The kid feels like his whole life is some joke somebody played on him, seems to me like you ought to be the one laughing."