[He's just going to sit here thinking on a safe topic. The problem is, even if he means one innocently, he can't see how it wouldn't get construed as something more malicious. Asking how long Ace has been narcoleptic is out. Asking about Garp is out. Talking about the Malnosso isn't a place either of them want to go. And this is so outside of Smoker's "comfort zone" they left it in the dust years ago. Assuming Smoker even has an actual comfort zone. Still, he prefers to get pirates to talk themselves into circles or traps... and that's precisely why Ace is on his guard. On the other hand, it's also why Smoker is wary about saying too much himself. Like hell he wants to make the same mistake so many pirates make.]
[Action]
So what's the story with the hat?
[Gotta start somewhere.]