Things i didnt understand

That he ingratiated himself with everyone, including going so far as to remember something like that.

His popularity and being a kiss-a** was so that folks would like him, not be likely to clue in to his deceit, and would defend him (as they did for a while).






"I will not go gently onto a shelf, degutted, to become a non-book." ~ Bradbury

He was trying to gain sympathy. One of the many ways he tried to manipulate his co-workers.

I think it was also an extension of his tactic to draw people away from the main topic. He would insert sidebar trivia to divert his lies