one does not bargain, as between equals, for a presidential pardon.
a trained and credentialed attack dog such as our hero knows this.
one behaves as a trained and credentialed attack dog must: loyally.
a loyal act is not rewarded. it is expected, required. loyalty is its own reward.
as to pardons? well, seeking assurance is not a very loyal behavior.
presuming to be in a position to bargain as though between equals
is downright disloyal: it is blackmail, twice, wrapped in an insult.
a dog who acts right (read: loyal) out of servile devotion's savoir-faire
is a happy dog who gets to come along and maybe from time to time enjoys
a treat or pardon for no discernible or particular reason, providence! delight!
a loyal dog does not doubt; a dog who has doubted is not loyal.
yours is a very silly story, cnn.