Ficly

Questions of finances.

The client watched impassively as Ivan quickly presented the box to Lauren and Janus. He watched their faces as they glanced into the box, quickly enough to confirm its contents but not so quickly as to arouse suspicion … they think they’re so talented, he thought to himself. Think they can hide from me what they want.

Lauren closed the box and thanked the client in a neutral tone. “Ah, yes,” he replied, “and now, we discuss payment!” He clapped his hands together in what seemed to Lauren and Janus to be a rather theatrical move. “Please, please sit down.”

They did so nervously, thinking that perhaps their idea of “payment” was just a bit different from the client’s. “I … we … have the first installment,” said Janus shakily. “Would you like it?”

The client’s face darkened. “Who was mentioning installments? I require payment, in full, immediately. If you cannot pay, then,” he motioned, and Ivan took the box back, “I cannot provide the merchandise you seek.”

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