Negotiation

"Well?"

"It's done."

"The girl?"

"Safe."

"And our... mutual acquaintance?"

"He's ... resting."

"In peace?"

"Something like that."

"In pieces?"

"Something like that."

"Then our business is done here?"

"Not quite."

"How so?"

"My payment?"

"Ah... of course."

"Is this all?"

"I believe that's what we agreed upon."

"For one, not for all three."

"That was not my understanding."

"It was mine."

"It's clear we've had a... misunderstanding, then."

"Quite clear."

"Well, I simply haven't any more."

"You'll find it."

"Will I?"

"You will."

"That sounds like a threat."

"Does it?"

"It does."

"And so?"

"Threats and misunderstandings can lead to... unpleasantness."

"Can they?"

"Indeed."

"Let us seek an understanding, then."

"Very well."

"Your terms?"

"My fee, paid in full."

"Twice again what you now have?"

"Three times."

"That's not what we agreed upon."

"Nor is the trouble you're now causing me."

"What trouble?"

"Keeping the girl."

"You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't I?"

"No."

"Care to test that theory?"

"What would you do with her?"

"Whatever I had to."

"Savage."

"Perhaps."

"She's of no use to you."

"She has... uses."

"You're an animal."

"That's why you hired me."

"Very true."

"Back to business."

"Indeed. Your terms, then?"

"Three times what I now possess."

"Yes, we covered that part."

"Safe passage from your territory."

"Ah."

"Then I tell you where to find the girl."

"I see."

"Your counter-proposal?"

"The girl returned to me."

"And?"

"You may keep the money you now hold."

"And?"

"You may keep your life."

"Not very much room for negotiation, is there?"

"We are both men of great resolve."

"Indeed."

"What leverage do you intend to exert?"

"You'll note the building behind me, over my left shoulder."

"I note it; your point?"

"The upper westward window."

"Ah. A sniper, how quaint."

"I believe in the elegance of ancient practices."

"Truly, you have an elegant touch."

"How very kind."

"Not at all."

"So then, the girl?"

"What of her?"

"Her location?"

"Is mine to give."

"And might I then have it?"

"Or your sniper, at some signal of yours, shoots and kills me?"

"Your uses are limited should you be dead."

"Then your threat?"

"Kindly note the town square."

"I see it."

"There are several women gathered around the fountain."

"And?"

"And their children play at their feet."

"And you have the nerve to call me a monster."

"Naturally."

"So then, the girl and my life, for the life of a stranger's child."

"We have a complete understanding."

"What makes you think this leverage will work on me?"

"Your outmoded sense of honour, of course."

"Outmoded, is it?"

"It's certainly of limited use in this day and age."

"I hardly think so."

"Truly?"

"Truly."

"Observe: Your sense of honour will not allow a complete stranger to die due to your inaction."

"Correct."

"Subsequently allowing me to pressure you into accepting an unfair deal."

"Indeed."

"To what use, then, is your sense of honour?"

"It allows me the luxury of sleeping at night, and looking myself in the mirror."

"How charming."

"Thank you."