[That's exactly what the excuse is for. Claude smiles to himself as Lorenz's fingers entwine with his, at Lorenz letting himself have something. It's just as well he's facing away from Lorenz, because otherwise he'd probably be accused of looking far too pleased with himself.]

We'll pay them extra. [Claude says this with determination, and also the casual air of a man for whom money ceased to be any object ages ago.] It's only rude to ask someone to do something if they're not being properly compensated for doing it, isn't it? If the compensation is worth it to them, though, then logically they'll be happy to trade their services for that compensation. That's the kind of logic you like, isn't it? An equitable exchange and amicable understanding between the served and the serving?

[Never let it be said Claude hasn't learned how to sell Lorenz on ideas.]