[Well, Palaeno's self-defense act succeeds in holding off Matt's attempt to pour poisoned coffee down his throat, but maybe not for the right reason. He even loosens his grip on the man's jaw.]

[The scratching just makes him laugh. He doesn't even turn his face away. If anything, he leans in closer so Palaeno can scratch harder.]

So you can put up a struggle! I almost thought you'd just quit.