[ It's at this juncture in the conversation that Ellis is abruptly aware of his own attachments. How the fuck did this happen? He's perhaps the worst man in the world for allowing this to occur, but there's nothing to do about it in the moment. ]

You are one of my favorite people. [ Generously allowing for Tony, since he's already in over his head. ] And I cannot imagine anyone is so willfully idiotic that they don't realize how intelligent you are.

[ Might sound like flattery, but Ellis genuinely believes that of her. ]

Please tell me what happened?