Just when you start thinking that you're talking to an actual human, he turns out to be a plonker.

Got a booking request - he sounded articulate, polite, to the point, and on the spectrum of normal.
I emailed him that I require a deposit.
During a phone call, he asked and I told him I require a deposit and told him how to send it.
On my profile, it says that I require a deposit.
He books a hotel.
I tell him - to confirm, I require a deposit.
He emails back that he forgot about the deposit and is not comfortable. And suggests we do a video call so that he can be sure I'm a "real person".

I'm so done.

I get so few inquiries, out of which even less are half-sensible, so it was a bigger disappointment than it should have been.