Conversation · Mega Rich Light-Bending Guy

"Spending money is a matter of desire, I'm sure you agree. I don't have the desire for spending it like that."

He smiles. "Never mind then. We'll just have to be on equal footing, geographically speaking."

"We're in Martinaise. There's a creepy abandoned commercial area here."

"Well, as we say in my circle -- one person's crushing business failure is someone else's development opportunity."

"We're in Revachol, formerly a colony of the Kingdom of Suresne."

"Ah, a fellow history buff! I, myself, am currently reading up on Franconigerian-era trains. Very interesting stuff. "

"We're in Martinaise. There's a cool church here."

"Was it Kras Mazov that said 'religion is pyrholidon for the masses'?"

"He may have been a communard, but we're in agreement about that. Still, I imagine the architecture is quite lovely."

"We're in Martinaise. There's a pretty good hostel here called the Whirling-in-Rags."

"Ah, interesting. I've made quite a few real-estate plays over the years."

"We're in Martinaise, a district of Revachol -- the former capital of the world."

"Who are you?"

"Who am I? Oh, I haven't been asked that question for such a long time." There's genuine surprise in his voice. "I don't meet a lot of people outside my circle these days..."

"Anyhow, my name is Roustame Diodore -- investor, licence holder, and extremely high-net-worth individual. And you are?"

We've hit the big time! This is the man who's going to make you rich. Always rely on your friendly neighbourhood swindler.

"Mr. Diodore, I am Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi of the RCM, and this is my partner..."

"I'm a detective."

"Pleasure to meet you," he says warmly. "Public service is a noble cause."

"It's Harrier Du Bois, but I prefer to be called Tequila Sunset."

"Pleasure to meet you Harr... I mean, Tequila Sunset," he says warmly. "It is an odd name, to be sure. There's something... rather grim about it."

"You would not even believe," the lieutenant mutters to himself.

"My name is Harry, and I'm a detective."

"Pleasure to meet you, Harry," he says warmly. "Public service is a noble cause."

"My name is Harry, and I'm an alcoholic detective."

"Pleasure to meet you, Harry," he says warmly. "Though I'm sorry to hear a good public servant like yourself is in servitude to the drink. A man can't serve two masters, in my experience."

"I can assure you, Mr. Diodore, that despite his vices he is a competent detective."

"Oh, don't you worry, lieutenant. I can tell a good man when I see one."

"If you ask me, he's only serving one of them thus far," the lieutenant mutters, half to himself.

"I'm an alcoholic detective."

"Pleasure to meet you," he says warmly. "Though I'm sorry to hear that a good public servant like yourself is in thrall to the drink. A man can't serve two masters, in my experience."

"The name's Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau. Most likely."

"Pleasure to meet you, Raphaël," he says warmly. "I am surprised -- in a positive manner, do understand -- about your exceedingly high-net-worth name."

"It is not..." The lieutenant stops to rub his temples. "Never mind."

"Harrier Du Bois."

"Pleasure to meet you, Harrier Du Bois," he says warmly. "I must admit, the name suits you very well."

"I'm an alcoholic."

"Pleasure to meet you," he says warmly. "Though I'm sorry to hear a good man like yourself is in servitude to the drink. But then, nobody's perfect."

"I can assure you, Mr. Diodore, that despite his vices he is a competent detective."

"If you ask me, he's only serving one of them thus far," the lieutenant mutters, half to himself.

"My name is Harry, and I'm an alcoholic."

"Pleasure to meet you, Harry," he says warmly. "Though I'm sorry to hear a good man like yourself is in servitude to the drink. But then, nobody's perfect."

You better explain that you aren't Savvy, by the way. Can't have you nicking this identity after working hard to gain such a prodigious rep.

"Actually, Savvy isn't my name. Hope you'll excuse me. Let me introduce myself again..."

"I've been thinking about those shares you offered me."

"They could set you up for a long time. Mauer-Koshlai Mercury is just getting started. Mark my words."

"You're a rich investor, right? Can I have some money?"

"Could you please stop asking everyone for money? It does not reflect well on the RCM and to be perfectly frank we can't afford to look worse than we already do."

"You're right. That was extremely unprofessional. I apologize."

"It's perfectly alright. Based on your appearance I can tell I'm dealing with a civilized man..."

Playing the pity card, are we? Whatever gets us over the moon, baby, I'm your hand to be dealt.

"As you may know, us high-net-worth individuals do not have a lot of cash on hand. Investments and liquidity are enemies of one another -- I think I only have coins for coffee machines."

"Here's three reál, how much can you get for this?"

Unbelievable. You manage to meet a man who's so rich light literally bends around him and all you can get out of him is three reál? What's wrong with you?

"Are you sure you don't have any more? I thought you were a billionaire?"

"Yes, I'm sure. You know..." His eyes narrow, the light seems to bend more aggressively.

Reminds you of that Joyce woman, doesn't he? Can't get rich by giving out free money.

"Maybe you can make that money grow? Come up with an investment plan? How's that sound?"

This is a proposal, not a question.

These ultraliberal types love losing huge sums of money on ludicrous proposals. Ergo, you should come up with a plan that's TOTALLY dead in the water.