Alien tech and chemistry are just elements of science that they don't understand yet, but which they both know the steps to take to eventually understand. People? People don't follow rules nearly as well.

"I can't critique it until I taste it." Whether it looks like a syphilitic dick or not. "Have you seen a knife around here?"

That grin is entirely inappropriate for talking about knives and phallic objects. He's had a long life and probably needs some slack.

No knife, no gourd. It goes back in the bowl and Bruce tables the matter of alien fruit eating for the moment.

"If you want to give getting money another shot, there's probably more than a few things in here to sell. The Grandmaster owes me back pay, and we can get back on track with the vacation idea."