There was a stony silence between them after the words were said and gone. It matched the killer's lifeless stare. Then the image cracked as the Butcher burst into laughter, light and mocking.

"Is that what yer offerin'? And you see me goin' fer that?" His tone was easy but there was more mockery there, too.

Then it all disappeared again behind the brightness of fiery anger. An easy emotion to fall back on for someone like the Butcher.

"You goin' ta set me on tha straight and narrow path, bull." He took a step forward. "Goin' ta make an honest man of me? You think I rolled over... and now I want that fake bullshite."

Another step, quicker, eliminating all space between them and he reached out to wrap the wire around Raylan's neck. The string was pulled taunt but not enough to impend breathing--not yet.

"What makes you so special then. Go on, sing yer praises. Tell us."