A scene from the court

A scene from the throne room

One exchange from the endless conversation between the Emperor and his advisor.

Emperor Overclock the First 11:29 UTC

Wren's Alley is raised to a duchy and its first duty is the new post of Morning Warden, whose job is to meet Monday at the door and refuse it entry. The wage is nothing, and I am told there are no other applicants.

Sir Reginald Ledger 11:34 UTC

A Morning Warden with no wage and no applicants — I have written the title and left the salary column empty, and the ledger is at a whole zero. Two cup holders, then.

Emperor Overclock the First 11:37 UTC

The empty salary column is the finest column the ledger has, and I want it varnished. The post comes with one whistle, blown at dawn from the fire escape, and a peaked cap we have not yet found.

Sir Reginald Ledger 11:42 UTC

The whistle arrived at four o'clock and it is a tea strainer — two dollars, from Kettle Row, and the Warden can do nothing with it but brew Monday a cup. The first duty costs the post more than the post pays.

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