LOL. Really, I was picturing almost exactly this scenario for this portion: Phil doesn't quite have the /experience/ he needs, and this is the first time he's re-framed his 'people skills' as having the equivalent of "weapon of mass destruction" capabilities. But the other thing I'd imagined was a definite,tangible apology element.

Phil is quite possibly overreaching, but who knows what skills he's ready to take on at fifteen or sixteen better than he does? I love that he's /trying/ so hard.