Sword of Freedom1957

[Vespucci is seeking backers for another trans-Atlantic voyage]

Vespucci:
How you estimate my chances of being heard?

Marco del Monte:
What matters, Captain, are your chances of being believed.

Machiavelli:
Exactly. To arrange a hearing with the Counsel won't be too difficult, but I can guarantee you'll be dismissed without further consideration unless you can offer evidence to substantiate your claims.

Vespucci:
If you mean gold and silver and precious stones, I'm afraid they aren't lying around waiting to be picked up like so many seashells.

Machiavelli:
Yes. Yes, that's a point we needed belabor, of course. The counsel is imaginative enough when it comes to visions of easy wealth.