A subversion of the Even Evil Has Standards trope, when a villain refuses to do something abhorrent not because it is too horrible, but rather because it is too inefficient or ineffective, or there isn't much to be gained from it. He's tried kicking the dog or at least studied those who have. No matter the combination of dogs and boots, and he's investigated thoroughly, there just isn't any profit and one's toes tend to hurt after a while. Also, dogs sometimes manage to sink their teeth into their tormentors. In some ways, the pragmatic villain can actually be more dangerous than a typical Card-Carrying Villain because he is almost invariably resolute in his determination not to carry the Villain Ball. What he does all depends on which option would serve his purposes best. Being evil for t