“Did you hear?” “Did I hear what?” “About the secret underground tunnels around the capitol.” “I’m sure they are very nice tunnels.”  Honestly, I wasn’t sure what else to say before I quickly deflected the awkward conversation when I asked about his grandchildren.  Fortunately for me, he seemed more interested in making sure I knew precisely how his grandson was excelling in college than he did in the conspiracy of the moment  … at least for that moment.