 Why does Jig bluff to Beamish initially?
The Blue Behemoth By LEIGH BRACKETT Shannon's Imperial Circus was a jinxed space-carny leased for a mysterious tour of the inner worlds. It made a one-night pitch on a Venusian swamp-town—to find that death stalked it from the jungle in a tiny ball of flame. [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Planet Stories May 1943. I've wet-nursed Shannon's Imperial Circus around the Triangle for eleven years, and I know. Nobody insults Buckhalter Shannon's Imperial Circus to Buckhalter Shannon's face unless he's tired and wants a long rest in a comfy fracture-frame. Mistaken identity." Beamish sipped his drink, made a polite face, and put it down. It has always been my desire to lighten the burden of life for those less fortunate...." He went on, quietly, "I have always held that entertainment, of the right sort, is the most valuable aid humanity can have in its search for the alleviation of toil and boredom...." It was Gow, our zoo-man—a big, ugly son-of-a-gun from a Terran colony on Mercury. Gow looks a lot like the scenery—scowling, unapproachable, and tough. His hands, holding the curtains apart, had thick black hair on them and were not much larger than the hams of a Venusian swamp-rhino. "She's the star attraction of our show, Mr. Beamish. The only other one on the Triangle belongs to Savitt Brothers, and she's much smaller than Gertrude."
 He knows he can get away with it - Beamish has the money to match what they ask.
 He knows he can get away with it - Beamish has the money to match what they ask.  He doesn't trust Shannon to close a good deal.  He doesn't trust Beamish, and wants to see if he's committed to the idea.  For them to start a new tour would be costly for them, and Jig wants to get the maximum price.