[He gives Claude a rueful smile.

What a strange feeling, knowing that this man thinks more about the owner of the cafe, more than he would ever admit or realize?]

Funny you should ask that before you know my name.

But if you must know... [He makes a dramatic gesture with his hand.]

I'm a smoker. Not very welcome in an establishment like this.

[Okay, that's clearly not it, but it seems he's being flippant for the sake of it.]