 Why was the Stortulian so upset?
The aliens came in every shape and form, in all colors and textures—and all of them eager for a Corrigan contract. 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. At the same time, we had turned away a dozen ursinoids, fifty of the reptilian natives of Ghryne, seven Sirian spiders, and no less than nineteen chlorine-breathing Procyonites wearing gas masks. I nudged the trouble-button on the side of my desk and Auchinleck and Ludlow appeared simultaneously from the two doors at right and left.
 he'd never see his wife again without this man's help
 he really needed the job because he was out of money  he was too proud to go back home without what he wanted  he knew his wife wanted to come back but couldn't  he'd never see his wife again without this man's help