Gideon didn't even deign to carry on this charade much longer. Calmly, but firmly, he put his hands flat on the table and leaned forward slightly towards Andrew.

"Fine, the freebie first. Lesson #1: Always know who you're talking to before you go around guessing their identities. Scammers will use your own lack of knowledge against you. The bartender's Max, not me, but I took advantage of the fact you didn't know who was who. Find someone not as benevolent as me, and they'll take you around a corner to mug you or leave you dead in a ditch. I'm Gideon, or Owl as people call me around here. Entrepreneur in Zone Acquisitions. Pleasure to meet you."

He held out his right hand to Andrew across the table, a devilish grin stretching across his face after dropping the ruse finally.