"I, Count Vladimir the Inhaler, also known as Mudvig of Catnipia, was sent to Yale, on the instructions of my grandmother Draconia, to train in the subtle arts of international economic control. My childhood instruction from Hermann proved invaluable, not just the lessons in Mathematics and Discourse. The lessons I learnt from the sword and the whip assisted my rise in the international business world, for I translated the physical laws of endurance, avoidance and control into psychic laws around the boardroom table and in the stock market. I became Vladimir the Invicible..."

"Not only a sook", thought Magenta, "this guy has extreme delusions of grandeur. I guess being knocked around by Hermann over the decades probably did it for him - what a nutcase." Magenta had always been extremely bored by any talk of economics. The topic was as obscure as philosphy, and as reliable. But she knew what she wanted, she was happy to give Vlad a run for his money.

"why, thank you, Vladimir, I'd like another drink", and she smiled sweetly as he nodded to the broad behind the bar.