You have to mention Michelle to realize there is indeed a human being after all beneath the shell, to get a reaction. He reacts to Michelle, he suddenly becomes intense, his whole body language changes, the air in the room crackles. And no, you'd better not cross him when he's like that. You can almost sense when he's thinking of Michelle and when he's not.

Another thing that struck me in this scene is how his feelings for Michelle, his feelings period, are not subject to discussion. (except with those closest to him, and that excludes his mother.) It's obvious he's never bared himself wholly to anyone but Michelle, so no wonder her betrayal cut him so deeply. Actually, it's a wonder he didn't die of it.

kristi