"Please, Mr. Thorn," the other murmured in pained tones. "Do not lay that initial debacle at our doorstep. I will grant you that certain late agents of our employer lost the element of surprise by their ill-considered actions in this matter. However, if I may review the conditions under which we presently labor, I think you will see why we require your services." Thorn glared for a moment, then turned to Iris. "Does he talk this way all the time?"