"Or... you're from the future, relative to me," James said bitterly, then buried his face in his hands.

He could've been more appreciative of James' gentler tone, but he couldn't show it as much right now, still dazed from the sting of the reveal.

"... I gave them everything... everything to fulfil Giovanni's ambitions. This job... for countless years... I have nowhere else to go. I'm still... better off than my friends, though. There are so many... you know that, right? That have no homes, no family, nothing outside of Team Rocket?"

He's not whining, he's not being theatrical, he's not trying to pull heartstrings, he's just terribly, terribly sad, for his sake and others.