[ A single finger is brought to attention, raised to pause the entirety of their conversation. He frowns only slightly, the corners of his lips pulling downward. ] You misunderstand my meaning, Ms. Marling.

[ Oswald extinguishes his cigarette, putting it out against the porcelain. When he clears his throat, it's a hollow sound, something bordering the murmur of an animal. His eyes, however, never leave the sight of the woman. ] What I am inquiring is this:

What do I have to offer you? I see to it my business partners are not without. If we are to align ourselves with one another, then I should like to know why. Tell me something that I, in this humble moment, don't know.