Carvalho

No roof yet, and the opening-night invitations are already making the rounds downriver. I count from the rainy season, so I've tucked that paper somewhere dry.

• Old TiburcioThat invitation never went out through our door. Where'd you get it.
  CarvalhoWhatever gets dropped ends up downriver eventually, old man.
• VicenteIf you've come to name a price, come through the door.
  CarvalhoThat door comes with a price of its own.

A bale with a shaved seal turned up on my boat. I know who shaved it. I haven't named a price yet.

• IaraIt was intact when it was loaded upriver.
  CarvalhoThen I suppose the water did the shaving.
• InacioIf you give me the seal number, I'll cross-check it. It needs to be on record in our ledger too...
  CarvalhoClerk, that comes with its own signing fee.