[Ouch. Now that stings, because inwardly she's well aware that he's wrong — and deep, deeper down, buried beneath all the cynicism and selfishness and callousness, she's even more aware that once upon a time he would've been right.]

I mean. Little town like this, it's just smart for everybody to help each other out, right?

[That's a good answer that actually says nothing toward directly answering his question, no matter how it might sound like it does.]

So does this mean I'm off the hook for owing you one, mister?