Oh. This man was an easy sell for his magic, then, wasn't he? Gen beamed at him, charming and friendly. "I do. I also have another deck on me from the games carriage, since my personal deck is a little customized. I also can perform magic tricks and tell fortunes, if you're interested."

Gen then blinked at him, and asked him wryly, "You mean, in the reality you were kidnapped from - you've got no idea how people can consistently earn money, either?"

That sounded pretty nightmarish. Of course, when he was performing, some years he could at book more profitable venues with his agent's help than others. Sometimes he could secure book deals and television appearances, sometimes he needed to get creative. But that was chance, luck of the draw, skill in negotiating with people - it wasn't a machine or train deciding randomly what his time was worth.