[ He looks to one of the chairs in front of the desk and gestures; may he? ]

Intentions first, then: inmates have a variety of opinions on the usefulness of a temporary warden. I would like to know if you have the intention to work towards graduation with me or if you merely see me as a placeholder until you are permanently paired with someone?

[ A pause. ]

There is no wrong answer, and if you happen to believe so, that does not discount any of the other topics we'll be discussing. But it will frame them differently.