[He guesses it's too much to hope for a civil conversation right now. He has lied repeatedly to Joel, so he guesses he understands, even though he isn't pleased about it.]

Of course I trusted them. I was born in the NCR. Grew up there... my parents both fought and died serving the NCR army. I've been with them for years now. I mostly do missions like this one, espionage... finding out about their enemies before they strike. That kinda thing.

[In other words: not a front line kind of guy. He kills in the course of those missions if he has to, but always prefers to find another way. Norman has always thought all the best of the NCR, seeing as they're bringing civilization to the Wasteland. But if they mean to use these chemicals... then, well, he doesn't know what to think.]

I'm sorry you got tangled up in all of this, I really am. But if they've seen you with me, you're gonna be in trouble too.