He hands you the beer and a king sized candy bar. And breaks open a beer himself.

"If it does end up being independent, I'm super flexible with payment plans, and we'll work something out. Usually charge on a pay-grade scale anyway.

I appreciate it. It's partly that it's likely it's wrapped up in things, and partly that it's honestly just vague enough that I can't promise results, so I ain't gonna take payment until I have them."