You're right about the rhyme and reason; from my perspective I'm just letting a bunch of thoughts out so there's no cohesiveness to it.
But it doesn't change the underlying answer about what will happen to "James", when push comes to shove, people will work what they have too is all I was getting at. This was in response to you essentially saying James is not "built" for this kind of work or wouldn't accept it even if it presented itself. I don't think there's anything factually incorrect about saying he would take it even if not initially because he hasn't swallowed his pride. It's just pragmatism/survival instinct. Most white collars are where they are because they wanted to choose a viable career. If whats defined as a viable career shifts, the people will shift with it.
I wouldn't say I'm anticipating an event so much as exploring a hypothetical, I'll admit I speak with some "sureness" but its really just presenting statements and kinda seeing what sticks or doesn't. A sounding off board.