Thank you.

[The words are an unexpected (but welcome) balm, yet somehow just manage to make him all the more aware of what a disaster today has been. He needs to go smoke something, maybe mash his face into a pillow and throw a fit like the spoiled brat he is, release some tension, but only where no one can see or hear or judge.

In the meantime, he's lucky to still be here.]

...um,

[But perhaps the point is made.]

...could I take off a bit early?