It has been a while since you invited me out to drink like this.

[He looks at his friend and gives him a warm smile, as he usually does. The two of them are sitting on seats near the end of the bar table. It's early evening]

Tell me, how is the little Nicolai? He is a positively charming lad by the way, and very intelligent to boot. I've spied several photography books for him, you know.