It's a good thing neither man was really paying attention to the twins, considering how they were reacting - clenched fists, bitten lips, trying their hardest to stay in one place and not drag Scrooge inside to "thank" his brains out.

As for the mayor, he just stood there in confusion. What did money have to do with morals? And surely these... magics had no morals in them! How could they? It was in their blood! ... Then again, maybe "their blood" could get him out of this situation. He swallowed thickly, trying to choose his next words carefully. "Maybe we can work something out? I can do something... I can give something as a sign of good faith. There's a family heirloom that we've held onto for ages that I think would mean a great deal, and I'd be happy to hand it over if you'd negotiate with us again."