[ Competent is pretty questionable when it comes to Walt. BUT he believes he is and that's all that counts, right?? ]

Oh, that's excellent to hear. Do you have something in particular that you research or does your business encompass all chemistry-related studies?

[ This is very relevant to his interests. What an interesting guy this Norman Osborn is -- a survivor, a well-adjusted businessman, AND a chemist. It's everything Walt aspires to be, and while it burns him up a little that this man already has it, he knows that Norman can very likely put Walt on the road to his own business, so he can ignore his own jealousy for the time being. ]