[ Krouse gives her a tiny half-smile at the repetition of his name, but no unprompted explanation is forthcoming. Maybe she'll think there's some more interesting reason for it than the truth: nobody uses his first name but his mom. ]

Right. Who needs hearts and minds? [ No-nonsense handshake, no-nonsense woman. He's getting the picture. ] Is this one of those New York things anyone not from there just doesn't get, or is it a you thing?