human
Can't use them. They're petrified logs. The ones on top are too high to carry down, and if we move those on the bottom, the whole works will slide down on top of us.
gpt
Well--that's your problem. Just remember, I want this flag pole to be solid. It's got to stand at least--
human
Don't worry, Forbes, we'll get your monument erected. What's this with the flag? There must be more to staking a claim than just putting up a flag.
gpt
There is, there is. Much more. I've taken care of all requirements set down by law to make my claim. But the flag? Well, you might say it represents an empire, Benson. The Forbes Empire. On each of my flags is the word FORBES, a symbol of development and progress. Call it sentiment if you will.
human
Don't worry, I won't. I've seen real-estate flags before.
gpt
Damn it all, will you stop referring to this as a real-estate deal? What I'm doing is big, man. Big! This is pioneering.
human
Of course. And if I'm not mistaken, you've set up a neat little escrow system so that you not only own the planets, but you will virtually own the people who are foolish enough to buy land on them.
gpt
I could have your hide for talking to me like this. Damn you, man! It's people like me who pay your way. It's people like me who give your space ships some place to go. It's people like me who pour good money into a chancey job like this, so that people like you can get away from thirteen-story tenement houses. Did you ever think of that?
human
I imagine you'll triple your money in six months.