Vimes had been called to Vetinari's office again for, as usual, upsetting important people. But that was what was so damn tricky about the cases in this city. They usually led back to some highly important people who somehow thought they were above the law. Vetinari was going on about how the city was a machine and the intricate complexities of how such a large machine had to work. Vimes got carried away by this train of thought.
"But sometimes you need to dig into the machine to get at the loose nuts."
"Indeed. But isn't usually the bolts that need tightening?"
"I wouldn't know, sir. I've never been very good with machines."
"Certainly. It comes to mind, however, that without the nuts the whole machine would fall apart."
Damn. Vimes had been out metaphored again. "Just as you say sir."
"Your comment on machinery has been carefully noted. You may go."
