What's any of that without someone else to measure it up against?

[devil's advocate, maybe. sour grapes, maybe. he hasn't felt self-respect, really felt it, in... well, far longer than he'd care to admit. he finishes off the drink as he waits, unable to resist a little-too-blithe--]

This is the longest I've engaged in straight conversation with a woman in years, you know. I'm out of my element.