 Why did the recruiter offer Lawrence $50 Galactic a week?
My three staff men, Auchinleck, Stebbins and Ludlow, walked shieldwise in front of me. The aliens came in every shape and form, in all colors and textures—and all of them eager for a Corrigan contract. I buzzed for Ludlow and gave him the fast signal that meant we were signing this alien up at half the usual pay, and Ludlow took him into the other office to sign him up. But just because we needed him didn't mean we had to be extravagant in hiring him. I passed him along to Auchinleck to sign at anything short of top rate. It was the isolationism of the late 29th century that turned me into the successful proprietor of Corrigan's Institute, after some years as an impoverished carnival man in the Betelgeuse system.
 He was able to offer him less, knowing he would still accept and be grateful.
 That was what was promised to all travelers to Earth for display.  He was able to offer him less, knowing he would still accept and be grateful.  He could be paid less because he was smaller and less of an attraction.  He would be paid less because he would also be reimbursed for expenses and have free travel.