"I've covered all that sort of thing under a miscellaneous heading," Retief said. "We can fill it in at leisure when we get back."
"Bandits!" the Aga Kaga hissed. "Thieves! Dogs of unreliable imperialists!"
"It is disillusioning, I know," Retief said. "Still, of such little surprises is history made. Sign here." He held the parchment out and offered a pen. "A nice clear signature, please. We wouldn't want any quibbling about the legality of the treaty, after conducting the negotiation with such scrupulous regard for the niceties."
"Niceties! Never in history has such an abomination been perpetrated!"
"Oh, treaties are always worked out this way, when it comes right down to it. We've just accelerated the process a little. Now, if you'll just sign like a good fellow, we'll be on our way. Georges will have his work cut out for him, planning how to use all this reparations money."
The Aga Kaga gnashed his teeth: Georges prodded. The Aga Kaga seized the pen and scrawled his name. Retief signed with a flourish. He tucked the treaty away in his briefcase, took out another.
"This is just a safe-conduct, to get us out of the door and into the car," he said. "Probably unnecessary, but it won't hurt to have it, in case you figure out some way to avoid your obligations as a host."
The Aga Kaga signed the document after another prod from Georges.
"One more paper, and I'll be into the jugular," he said.