JК
Sween Myth-tery of Life :: Asprin Robert
Страница: 98 из 110Here we were, cutting corners on the budget and squeezing taxes out of the populace to try to shore up the kingdom's financial woes, while I siphoned money out of the treasury that I didn't really need. What was more, since it was my procrastinating on staff cuts that had resulted in the inflated payday, I certainly didn't think I should be rewarded for it.
The more I thought about it, the more determined I became to figure out some way to give the money back. Of course, it would have to be done quietly, almost secretly, or I'd suffer the wrath of both Aahz and Bunny. Still, to me it was necessary if I was going to be able to live with myself.
Then, too, there was the problem of how to reduce our payroll. Actually, if what Grimble had just told me was accurate, that situation might take care of itself. If the budget was coming into balance, and if the collection process was now flowing smoothly, then I could probably send Bunny back to Deva, as well as one or more of my bodyguards. What was more, I could then insist on removing my own payment as financial counselor. All that should reduce the M.Y.T.H. Inc. bill substantially.
That still left me with the problem of how to deal with the disproportionate payment I had already received.
Then an idea struck me. I'd do what any other executive would do when confronted with a problem: I'd delegate it to someone else!
Striding to the door, I opened it and looked into the hall. Sure enough, my two bodyguards were still there, apparently embroiled in conversation with each other.
"Guido! Nunzio!" I called. "Come in here for a second."
I re-entered the room and returned to my desk without waiting to see if they were responding. I needn't have worried.
By the time I had re-seated myself, they were standing in front of me.
"I have a little assignment for you boys," I said, smiling.
"Sure, Boss," they chimed in chorus.
"But first, I want to check something. As long as I've known you, you've both made it clear that, in the past, you've had no qualms about bending the rules as situations called for it, working outside the law as it were. Is that correct?"
"That's right."
"No problem."
I noticed that, though to the affirmative, their answers were slower and less enthusiastic than before.
"All right. The job I have for you has to be done secretly, with nobody knowing that I'm behind it. Not even Aahz or Bunny. Understand?"
My bodyguards looked even more uncomfortable than before, but nodded their agreement.
"Okay, here's the job," I said, pushing the bagol money towards them.
The more I thought about it, the more determined I became to figure out some way to give the money back. Of course, it would have to be done quietly, almost secretly, or I'd suffer the wrath of both Aahz and Bunny. Still, to me it was necessary if I was going to be able to live with myself.
Then, too, there was the problem of how to reduce our payroll. Actually, if what Grimble had just told me was accurate, that situation might take care of itself. If the budget was coming into balance, and if the collection process was now flowing smoothly, then I could probably send Bunny back to Deva, as well as one or more of my bodyguards. What was more, I could then insist on removing my own payment as financial counselor. All that should reduce the M.Y.T.H. Inc. bill substantially.
That still left me with the problem of how to deal with the disproportionate payment I had already received.
Then an idea struck me. I'd do what any other executive would do when confronted with a problem: I'd delegate it to someone else!
Striding to the door, I opened it and looked into the hall. Sure enough, my two bodyguards were still there, apparently embroiled in conversation with each other.
"Guido! Nunzio!" I called. "Come in here for a second."
I re-entered the room and returned to my desk without waiting to see if they were responding. I needn't have worried.
By the time I had re-seated myself, they were standing in front of me.
"I have a little assignment for you boys," I said, smiling.
"Sure, Boss," they chimed in chorus.
"But first, I want to check something. As long as I've known you, you've both made it clear that, in the past, you've had no qualms about bending the rules as situations called for it, working outside the law as it were. Is that correct?"
"That's right."
"No problem."
I noticed that, though to the affirmative, their answers were slower and less enthusiastic than before.
"All right. The job I have for you has to be done secretly, with nobody knowing that I'm behind it. Not even Aahz or Bunny. Understand?"
My bodyguards looked even more uncomfortable than before, but nodded their agreement.
"Okay, here's the job," I said, pushing the bagol money towards them.