"Production capacity, production capacity—I need production capacity! Tell those slackers in the production department that they must increase capacity by another three percent before June arrives, or I'll recommend that Mr. Lupin fire the deadweight!"
"Oh, damn it, those greedy Swiss want to raise the price of raw materials by five percent. That's impossible—I need to talk to them as soon as possible. I can't wait, Rydell. Tonight. I'm going back to pack now and head for Switzerland. Go to the Ministry of Magic and apply for permission to use the cross-border Floo Network!"
"The goods headed for Hungary were detained by the local Ministry of Magic?
Why? Oh, suspected smuggled goods, and they need to open the shipment for inspection. Oh, don't think I don't know—they just want to use this chance to squeeze some gold out of us. Mr. Breen ought to drop a fireball on their heads. Oh, I know Mr. Breen wouldn't do that. Fine, we can't breach the contract. I'll write to Anya now and have her satisfy those bastards' appetites!"
"Those damned Americans altered our contract? Oh, just wait—I'll make them understand the consequences of doing that. Unless they pay the penalty for breach of contract, their goods can sit at the border for another half a month!"
"People? Sorry, Santis, I don't have anyone for you to order around. Forget people—I can't even find you a single goblin. And don't even think about poaching mine. Mr. Lupin has assigned me to develop the market in Egypt, and I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. Damn it, when will I finally get an assistant?!"
Office after office stood with its doors open, each occupied by flushed, sweating wizards.
Percy felt as though he had entered an unusual battlefield. Every wizard before him was pouring out