Simon decided that some parts of Ivan Braginski's application -- the part where he said he'd launched the first satellite, for example, and the part about owning the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons -- must be meant in a figurative sense. The man carried himself with the authority of an executive; he must be highly placed in his country's government, and as such, spoke intimately of its holdings.

Carrying around a water pipe ... well, perhaps Ivan had simply been called away in the middle of some household crisis? Surely it wasn't meant as a weapon ...?

Regardless, Simon could deal with government people. In fact, he felt a lot more confident and comfortable dealing with people on an official level than trying to hold up casual conversation. He laid aside the application he'd been reading and offered Ivan a hand to shake.

"Ivan Braginski? I'm Dr. Simon Tam. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."