Interesting thought:
There have been several warnings about not letting Smoked Lox talk to you before trying to kill him, that even one word seems to be enough to doom you to whatever that dooms you to.
Richard told Ben, "Let me talk to him, I know what he wants." Then Locke came in and did what no one else seems to be able to do to him...absolutely prevented Richard from talking to him.
So perhaps Smokey knows that the advantage one gains from talking is not Smokey's alone.
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'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.'
-TJ
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