(not to worry, it was on purpose. that information isn't that hard to find out if he asked someone, after all, but right here, right now, it's much easier to bend and twist it to suit him.

his eyes even close in feigned good faith, to adorn his face with the addition of the smile on his lips.)

Disagree. Who cares about efficient proposals! Pffft, efficiency! If you have nothing to offer in the first place, I see no reason to negotiate a thing! What if your negotiation partner has no idea what they want! You're not selling yourself so well, you know...