In this excerpt from "Agent to the Stars" by John Scalzi, there's a humorous confrontation between two characters over the issue of salary return. One character, presumably representing a company or organization, requests that the other give back the salary he has received. The response is blunt and clear—a firm refusal that emphasizes how straightforward the answer is.

The dialogue showcases a witty exchange, where the protagonist plays with the simplicity of the word "no." By questioning the other's understanding of such a basic response, Scalzi illustrates a moment of defiance mixed with humor, suggesting that some requests can be easily dismissed when they are unreasonable.