"Is this polite company? And here I was enjoying myself so much."

Polite company isn't the kind he likes. Profitable or interesting company is, and Isaak seems like the type of man who might be able to provide both. It doesn't hurt that he's remarkably decent to talk to -- not one to carry on and on, not one to discuss banal topics like the weather or the curses, both of which have become boring, at best, to Andrew.

"I'm afraid you're right. Import and export, even the kind not intended for polite company, is, essentially, of very little use here. Have you ever had any dealings or interest in weaponry?"