[ difficult to teach something he doesn't know. bruce clamps his teeth around the bitterness. to snap at her is only to displace his anger. it takes a lot more to make him forget himself to such a degree.

there is no reason to give further clarification, however. it has been a strange blessing to not come upon person after person who will recognize him. to not contend with sympathies and questions: how did we know each other? what was our relationship? did you know me or did you only know of me? moreover, bruce does not want to give it further importance. ]

Forget it. Tougher though that may be for you. [ self-deprecation delivered utterly straight. comedy is only tragedy plus time and he has had plenty of time.

it doesn't mean he will make the presence of a joke any easier to discern.

bruce holds up his hands and takes a step backward. ]

Let's call this a draw. I think I've had enough sparring for the next year.