1. The Royal Nonesuch:
This con involves the King and Duke creating a fake play, the "Royal Nonesuch," which is a sham filled with nonsense and poorly performed. They skillfully hype it up in advance, painting a picture of a grand and exciting spectacle. They then use their own pre-prepared "audience" to generate excitement and a sense of legitimacy. This helps draw in a crowd who are then conned out of their money.
2. The Wilks Family Deception:
The King and Duke cleverly exploit the grief and vulnerability of the Wilks sisters, who are mourning the death of their father. They convince the sisters that they are the deceased's long-lost brothers, then exploit their trust to steal their inheritance. They create a fake identity, manipulate the sisters' emotions, and even orchestrate a "funeral" to reinforce their fabricated story.
It's important to note that while these schemes display a level of cunning and manipulation, they are ultimately acts of selfishness and exploitation. They demonstrate the King and Duke's willingness to deceive and take advantage of others for their own gain.