One for you, 19 for me
Historically speaking, there have been very taxmen that skew toward likable. The Beatles sang about one, but the lyrics indicate that even he wasn’t a particularly great dude; it’s just that he’s the subject of a very good song. Turns out that we have a natural inclination to hate folks who come knockin’ on our door demanding that we hand over our hard-earned money.
The blow is apparently softened when that money isn’t so hard-earned. Those who took advantage of pearl and cowhide-selling exploits might have to pay for that racket. The Witcher 3‘s Hearts of Stone expansion sends a tax collector after all guilty parties. And, the penalties are pretty steep.
But, it’s not so hard to wiggle out of this jam. Just tell a couple convincing lies, and he’ll leave you alone. Actually, he’ll give you a diploma commending you for your honesty. Uhhh…thanks, guy!
It could’ve been much worse. He could’ve levied those penalties and shook you upside-down until every last penny dropped out of your pocket. Or, he could’ve zapped you to death, which is what some games used to do when they deemed your behavior dubious. That sounds way worse than being given a diploma.
