"Renato, what the hell is wrong with you? How many times have I told you to focus on the Inner District? The Speaker attaches enormous importance to this Tournament. If anything goes wrong with security..."
A brocade coin purse was held out before Perez, cutting short his tirade.
"Minister, I fully understand the importance you place on security for the Tournament. I will certainly follow your instructions and conduct a comprehensive security review..."
"But this matter is exceptionally serious. This poisonous herb that corrodes our citizens' will has been strictly prohibited ever since the city was founded sixty years ago. Now it has resurfaced just as Baron Atwood is calling for a revival of the Fried People's martial spirit. We cannot rule out deliberate sabotage. If Dreamweed is allowed to spread, the consequences could be..."
"Constable Renato, well said! I agree entirely! The Security Department has always maintained zero tolerance for criminals of this kind. To safeguard our citizens' mental health and uphold the spirit of the Speaker's initiative, I hereby order you to lead an immediate search of the Gilded Dice and confiscate all prohibited goods..."
With the search warrant and deployment orders in hand, Renato left the minister's office, his lip curling.
All that empty talk, and thirty gold coins changed his tune in an instant.
To ensure success on the first attempt, he had used not only Fair's twenty-gold advance but another ten coins from his own pocket, giving away most of his payment for the task.
It was hardly a waste. He might indeed have paid a little too much, but Renato knew that when it came to bribery, it was best to get it right the first time.
Offer too little, and not only would nothing get done, he might end up offending the recipient.