The Painting
Dr. Mephisto decided to cut out the eyes on the painting that hung over the fireplace. That way he could spy on people. But he had to have a viewing room constructed behind the painting, and that involved moving some load-bearing beams. Then he decided to build a small bathroom adjacent to the viewing room, in case he had to spend long periods of time spying on people. That led to one thing after another.
Nearly two years later, his construction costs had totaled over three hundred thousand dollars.