Mordred does not particularly think it is good to be successful in business actually.

"And wouldn't you agree that if a person is selling something that helps people of all nations and creeds become successful in business-- and making quite a lot of money for himself-- that that is a good thing?"

No. "I guess."

"I would love to hear your ideas fully. Perhaps you will cause me to change my mind! I am always open to new points of view."

He is approximately 100% sure he cannot convince Peter Lukas that Nectar trading is bad and especially can't do it while his head is screaming and he keeps having to talk himself down from panicking and what if Lukas would in fact listen and he's throwing away a chance to persuade someone no that's just panicking again stop it --

"I," he says, "do not actually think business success is good? I think it is usually bad. Actually."

‘Well, now, look. I thought otherwise but I may be wrong. I frequently am. And if I am wrong, I want to be put right. Let’s examine the facts.

Why do you think business success is bad?"

Is this an invitation to talk about Bertrand Russell and socialist philosophy this sounds like an invitation to talk about Bertrand Russell and socialist philosophy.

Mordred can talk about Bertrand Russell and socialist philosophy for approximately as long as he's allowed to, which makes it an excellent stalling technique when a cultist is probably going to kill you.

Peter Lukas asks SO many friendly questions! He keeps saying that he and Mordred agree on things. Mostly things like 'it is good when people have food.'

This is probably useless but that's fine, it'd be nice to convince Lukas but the point of this is mostly to filibuster his own murder.

Finally, he says, "I am glad you are such an intelligent and ambitious man! You would be a fine addition to our little organization, if I do say so myself."

................hey it's worth a shot! "Are... you hiring?"

"Always! I am absolutely delighted by your decision."

"You are doing so well," he says with sincerity.

I might not die today I might not die today I might get to go home and tell Agravaine I'm sorry I might not die today -- "I'm very glad you think so."

He takes out an orange vial. "Do you want to take some Nectar? It will help you become even more excellent than you already are-- which is so excellent to beign with."

He flinches.

"No."

His smile doesn't waver. "Unfortunately, if you don't take the Nectar, I am afraid our differences may be-- very hard to resolve. And I would be sad to destroy such a clever and hard-working and courageous man as yourself."

Mordred looks at the vial.

He considers, very quickly, the odds that taking Nectar exactly once will destroy everything he values about himself. The odds are not high.

He considers, very quickly, the odds that he will actually manage to do that, and that 'just this once' will actually stay just this once. He thinks about George Ayers, and how afraid Lev was of Echavarria, and everything he saw about the cult in LA.

Agravaine, he thinks, I'm so sorry.

"No."

He gestures. Two guards come to pick up Mordred.

"I am very sorry about the way our acquaintance is concluding."

Meanwhile--

Two guards go from the warehouse into an office and when they come out they are carrying Mordred who is tied to a chair.

WELL THAT'S INTERESTING.

oh god oh fuck

Maybe Zoe needs to go to the bathroom. Right now. Is there a policy on bathroom breaks.

The policy is "go ahead," they have coverage for a reason. 

Zoe excuses herself to the restroom, and tries to see where they're taking Mordred.

Oswald manages with Herculean effort to wrestle his expression back into place before his startlement appears to be anything more than surprise at the new development in his ordinary warehouse cult job.