[he offers a wry smile. your exasperated, somewhat reluctant response is very familiar to him] Nice. Good optimism, there. I like it. Don't... believe it, or anything, but I like it.

[he is rather resigned to the idea that this will end in violence, himself]

Not to add to your rough year or anything. Sorry to hear about that, by the way. [heh] I can relate. [he's had a lot of rough years]