Eh?! [he gives him an incredulous squint. what, really? what the heck. how can anyone sit still for even ten minutes here?

a little red-faced out of indignation:] Y-you don't know that for sure, though. And...neither do I! But even if I can't make a difference even when I try... [wow, he hates hearing that aloud.] It...feels wrong to waste time.

[a beat.

then, holding up a finger:] But...you're going to say "that's dumb," right?