That, at least, snaps Coleman out of it midway through his fifth pass over the same mirror-finish spot. He considers it in silence, before turning at giving Ailee the same consideration.

"Let me ask you this," he starts slowly, tucking away the cleaning supplies with practiced care. "Is this a philosophical question, or a practical one?"

"If you're asking philosophicaly, wondering whether we should give laws moral weight, the answer's hell no. Laws're only as good as the people enforcin' them. Laws't can't or won't be enforced, don't exist, and rules that are enforced have the same effective weight as law, even if they're not on any books. 

"I don't think that's what you're askin' about, though. Think you're asking about the law because you got some other questions in mind. If the laws can't be counted on to protect people you love from people more powerful, what's even the point of 'em? And more importantly, when the time comes for you to overthrow the Duke, will those same laws get in the way of the changes you want to bring around?

"Am I on the right track there?"