The only ones he's been more open and honest with are Joker and Childermass. With everyone else he was vague and to a point obtrusive to keep up that allure of wanting his attention. He never made it a matter of pride and more of a way of keeping himself from getting bored and providing a sense of camaraderie and trust. It's why he never gave his report to Zecora or... wouldn't have.

The guests were rather messy but then it wasn't their responsibility to clean up after themselves. Childermass would have noticed that he'd wander through the ballroom from table to table doling out food and drinks. He made several visits to the balcony for decent periods of time. He's doing a round of retrieval and when that wrist is successfully snatched he'll keep his hand perfectly still.

For a brief moment that serene smile starts to falter as his eyes reflect a moment of confusion. His mind is rationalizing the situation. While he could use his power to snatch his hand away now that he wasn't as heavily dampened as the Ringmaster would have him, he doesn't. He allows the 'guest' to hold onto it. "I didn't work at this Manor," comes his final response, "I do now, Mister Childermass." No 'boss'. No role reversal. No cheer.