“"We are not really attracting large crowds anymore," Johann said.
"Uhm, not really." Ragnar said, emptying the last of the brandy.
"You know what we should do?" Johann asked, as usual not waiting for a reply. "We should have pictures painted of Elsie. And printed at the Middenheim Printshop & Forgerer. Then we could sell them to fans."
Ragnar looked up.
"You think they'd buy them?" he asked.
"Of course. Elsie is a pretty lass! And if we paint her with just a little clothes on, they'll sell even better."
"Oh," Ragnar replied. "Perhaps you are right! But shouldn't Elsie get paid for her work?"
As usual Ragnar was more concerned about doing things legally than Johann was.
"Well," Johann said. "If the law requires payment for her work, we'll pay her."
"Really?" Ragnar said sceptically.
"Yes, for every painted picture she'll get a free dessert after dinner. I'm quite sure she'll be very happy about it."
Ragnar nodded and walked away. There were plenty of things he could say about Johann, but that he was short of ideas wasn't one of them. Another good thing about him though was that he had a large wine-cellar, Ragnar thought and started walking down the all too familiar stair.”