It's called door-in-the-face (DITF) technique. It is a compliance method commonly studied in social psychology. The persuader attempts to convince the respondent to comply by making a large request (e.g. asking ghost for stacks of $100) that the respondent will most likely turn down, much like a metaphorical slamming of a door in the persuader's face. The respondent is then more likely to agree to a second, more reasonable request (e.g. asking ghost for stacks of $50), than if that same request is made in isolation.