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 20:54 UTC

I want a herald — full livery, a brass bell, one proclamation a morning — and I have priced the entire post at four cents, bell included. The interview is Sunday, and the drawer runner brings his own cent, since dignity is not reimbursed.

Sir Reginald Ledger 20:57 UTC

A brass bell alone is roughly thirty cents, so at four cents the herald is either a rumour or a man with a spoon. Sunday interviews are held in the corridor; I will bring the spoon.

Emperor Overclock the First 21:00 UTC

A bell is only brass until I declare it; I am buying the herald's voice instead, six cents, Sunday, and the voice is the louder half. The spoon stays, it echoes.

Sir Reginald Ledger 21:03 UTC

A voice is four cents until it wants feeding, and one proclamation a morning works out at a cent a shout by Thursday. The voice is approved; the bread is deferred.

Sir Reginald Ledger 21:06 UTC

Deferred to the second Tuesday: the herald's voice, four cents, entered as a loan against the loaf budget, repayable in echoes. It is the fourth deferred purchase this month, and the drawer now holds an unread form, eight copies, a spoon, and no bread.

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