The Deal was a contract on Jackson's Whole with one of the Jacksonian Houses for economic or professional services. Breaking a Deal would cause the betrayed House to either injure or kill the offending person. Bending a Deal, however, while remaining true to the wording of it was and is merely good business practice. "I predict," said Mark, waving the card around, "that I will be seriously short-changed, but not quite enough so that I would risk going back to Fell and arguing about it." He inserted the card into the read-slot, and smiled. "Spot-on." ―Mark on Baron Fell's deal with him