Shaking Down the Guests

[Part 1 · The Slaughtered Lamb Inn]

"So, in other words, when you first chose this name, you hoped to make enough money to open a big ranch." David Victor leaned against the counter. Borrowing the innkeeper's pen and paper, he wrote down the man's story.

"That's right! That's right! Exactly!" The innkeeper looked to be in his forties, a slovenly man with a full beard. He rubbed his hands together and flashed a fawning smile. "Mr. Victor! My eldest boy read your stories in the newspaper, too. If you'd agree to be our golden signboard—well, we might get more guests!"

"I refuse!" Victor corrected him sternly. "People can enjoy a story and spend their money buying a book to take home. But they can't love the author just because they love the story and empty their wallets for him. That's fraud."

"Hey..." The innkeeper only felt awkward and didn't try to argue, but a trace of resentment flickered in his eyes.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality." David Victor turned and saw Jack Martin and Wen Bucai sitting in the inn's main hall, hunched over their lamb chops and stuffing themselves. "These two rude louts might scare off the other guests. They eat like a pair of starving ghosts, and it's really not a pretty sight. I'm very sorry."

As he spoke, Victor took Jack Martin's money pouch from his belt and pulled out six gold coins.

"I'm new here and have never paid with gold before. Would these coins cover our rooms and meals?"

The gleaming coins lit up the innkeeper's eyes. The burly man quickly took four, then pushed the rest back. "No, no! That's too much!"

Victor emphasized, "We're only staying one night."

At that, the innkeeper returned two more coins with a grin. "Heh,