[That was exactly it. He acquired things: wedding doves in the requested shade of pink, party guests in the aspired to social category, entertainments and diversions, through a web of contacts made simply by having turned in the right circles for long enough. Work as an extension of his social life, the only way to do it, really.

Here he's not quite settled on what to do. What he would be capable of. But there's no trust fund pillow to lean on, so the thought does grow more pressing.

Though it's put away for the far more interesting purpose of discovering a little more about Max's history.]

Remind me never to play you at monopoly, sounds like you swept the board. Very impressive. Well. You ran a retail empire, Byerly just sounds like he's named after one.

[Perhaps he should make his fortune taking bets on which of them ends up with a controlling interest in this place. Very different strategies, he imagines, but quite a game.

Distracted by some scuffle breaking out in a corner, he glances away, but it's over almost as it begins.]

I must admit I struggle to see those kind of opportunities. Not much of a head for business. But I've... I've heard of Nassau, haven't I? Yes. More than one of my ancestors captained ships. There was a Prior Walter in the British Naval fleet, for a time.