“Aw, sad face. I came up with that totally off the cuff. No props for off the cuff?”

“Off-the-cuff’ should mean well planned and practiced”

“Stay with me until this thing is done, and I will take off the cuffs and the collar. I will release you willingly. We can face each other as free men. Whatever is to fall out between us can do so then.”

“Look at this limp cravet. And the sad state of those cuffs. I can hardly bring myself to look upon them.”

“Biffy said, off the cuff, "Or we could find a replacement queen.""Volunteering for the position?""Why, Professor, is that wittiness I detect?""Only for you.""Charmer." Biffy tapped him on the arm playfully.”

“He reaches down and tugs his pant leg up. The gold cuff wrapped around his ankle is decorated with Smurf stickers. "One of the other collectors did this after I crashed last night. Can you believe that mess? I can't get the damn things off.”