"Bob, you know we don't allow shotguns at work. It makes the other employees nervous. If you could, and it's completely up to you, as I don't have a problem with it, it's all of the other fellow employees, well, except Phil, he's has an NRA membership, are the ones that have complained. I don't want you to think that I don't like you or anything."

"Oh, the shotgun? It's just in case anything happens I can shoot out the window. What, did you think I'd use it against someone if I got mad at them?"

"Oh, no, I'd never think that you would ever use a gun in anger!"

"Would your response be different if the shotgun was sitting here?"

"Bob, I'd love to chat, but I have a meeting in 5 minutes"