Joe took a soothing sip of his tea before answering her. "I should like to say that I am not unsympathetic to your cause. But then I am in the business of trying to be an impartial observer as possibe. A chronicler, if you will, rather than a participant." He stirred his beverage thoughtfully. "I did promise to reveal my employer as well. I'm a junior reporter for the New Haven Gazette. Well, actually, I am both journalist and staff photographer. I do features around town for the paper, on people of interest. And I definitely think that you are a person of interest."
He graced her with an admiring but wry smile.
"The reason why I've been following you around is that I think there's a story here. More than what's been published so far. I'd like to hear your side of the industrial dispute. As for my earlier trepidation, I wasn't here for the Musgrave pickets -- though I have obviously done my research -- I didn't know what to expect. You lot are a passionate bunch, and a misunderstanding was not out of the question. Had I been a spy from the other side, I should think a tar and feathering would not have been out of order."