Maurice tries to give the older man a smile but it turns into more of a grimace.

"Hey, Mr. Pines," Maurice mumbled with the same kind of ducked-head tone one would address a teacher. "Uh, it's about Grubbin. It's not fair to her to never get to come out of her ball but I can't--I don't know how to deal with her. And I thought--since you raise them, you could show me how to battle with her."