looked up. Case physically looking up to Armitage is a subtle clue that both recognize who’s in charge. As events develop, Armitage comes to more or less own Case through the threat of destroying his livelihood. Their relationship is another example of the passivity and femininity of Case.
Too young. This is the first clue that Armitage is older than Case, although this reader sort of assumed that. It also reveals Armitage’s attitudes about Case, namely, that he is his tool.
We invented you. Armitage more or less asserts ownership of Case and his kind here, and he repeats the assertion later.
mister. Oddly, Case doesn’t seem to object to Armitage’s treatment of him, calling him “mister” here, a sign of (possibly ironic?) respect. More than that, it seems to recall a small child calling a stranger—a “gee, mister!” It’s another indication of Case’s willingness to go with the flow.
buddy. And then, Case declares his equality with Armitage, refusing to fit neatly into a passive character type. One explanation is that he still doesn’t trust Armitage, the other is that he resents his pejorative addresses: “too young,” “son.” In any case, it’s an ineffective protest, as he quickly falls completely under the control of his “benefactor.” Theirs is at the very least an interesting relationship.
