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"So then, Hercules, what's your big money-making scheme this week?"
"I'll have you know I spent hours coming up with this perfectly good idea that is not at all considerable as a scheme."
"Right then," Jason exchanges a glance with Pythagoras, which isn't at all mocking. "What's your plan?"
"Next week is the Tournament of Ares; we all get into the ring and get fighting; last man standing wins the entry cost from everyone."
"Hercules-" Pythagoras starts before Hercules cuts him off.
"It's a good idea! Well, maybe not for you, but Jason and I can put up a good fight!"
"Hey now, Pythagoras might not be the best fighter, but you don't know how he'd do." Jason turns to Pythagoras, "I wouldn't wanna fight you. You're pretty feisty."
Hercules groans, "Or he could put himself to use *outside* the tournament, figuring out if there's a way to steal some of the winnings on the off chance neither of us win."
"On the off chance. Right." Jason rolls his eyes. "Or, consider, instead of using whatever buy-in on the tournament, we could use it to buy the groceries we need now."
"You're thinking too small, Jason; you should know better! We could absolutely win this."
"Or we could absolutely have dinner tonight, which I'd much rather have."
"I agree with Jason, Hercules. If you really want to do this-" Pythagoras pauses, "-then find the coin to buy in for it. We've gone hungry too many times over half-thought-through ideas, and if we don't eat this week, we'll probably be as good as dead in the tournament."
"Bah, we've done better in worse situations."
Pythagoras Scoffs, "Yeah, against our will."
Jason shakes his head. "Hercules, just because we can do something in a life-or-death situation doesn't mean we're capable of it all the time."
"We've managed it before. We'll manage it again." Hercules blusters.
"Sure, and you can prove it by getting the coin needed yourself."
"We could probably get something now, actually." Hercules tells them.
"Oh, that's a good idea." Jason says, "And it keeps Hercules from stealing our coin in the meantime and saying he found it."
"I would never!" Hercules puffs himself up in indignation.
"Oh yes, you would," Jason tells him.
"Would you like me to count the ways or times that you've done it?"
"Point taken."
Jason looks back at Hercules while he and Pythagoras get ready to go, noting the slump in the man's shoulders and aura of disappointment.
"Hercules, even if I wasn't worried about how it'll all go, I still think it's a risky way to earn money. It's all or nothing."
"Well, here's the thing-"
"Oh, here we go..."
"Hush, boy. It would count if we all tossed in a copper; it just adds up with all the people there!"
"Well, then, it should be easy for you to find the coin to get us in, right?"
"Uh, I suppose."
"Attaboy, good luck, Hercules; we'll be back with dinner in a few!"