Bert wasn't all that familiar with the zombie concept, which means he really does just assume R was a human with some odd quirks. Odder than most, for sure, but nothing beyond what he could handle. At least, as far as he knew.

"You are too kind, sai, 'tis only a trick."

But oh did he ever love the attention, he fed on this sort of attention like a tick. He took the gaping as a sign that maybe R wasn't all there, which Bert certainly understood and accepted. He had some antiquated views on women and society as a whole, but a person's mental capacity was one area he actually couldn't find ridicule for. Which explained why his tone was much more gentle and kind when he spoke again.

"Tell me you're not a competitor here. I cannot believe they would pull you here to kill and be killed for their amusement."