Friendship

When American Buffalo opens, Don is lecturing Bob on the importance of committing himself to the "business" deal they have made; Bob is supposed to be watching the target of their robbery but has instead returned to the junk shop Don tells him, "Action counts. Action talks and bullshit walks." After Bob apologizes, Don protests, "Don't tell me you're sorry I'm not mad at you." What the audience learns from this remark is that Don is genuinely interested in helping Bob become more astute in the ways of their own brand of business. He tells him that he should model himself after Fletcher, a "standup guy" and card shark who had to "learn" all he knows about becoming a success. Don impresses upon Bob the importance of attitude and intelligence when confronting the business world: "Everything, Bobby: it's going to happen to you, it's not going to happen...