Yeah. [ Though the actuality of the situation was a little more dire than he's making it out to be — get the implants or stay on the streets — the answer is truthful. He could choose either of those things, so he chose the path that would let him survive. ] With the surgery, kids like us could get work without going to school.

[ Were his shoulders and arms not occupied, it seems like he could shrug, though he doesn't. ]

It wasn't respectable work though.