Wow, he thinks, coming through the gates, What a shithole.

Given the guards' pathetic attempt at a hustle, he shouldn't be surprised. Clearly Riften has seen better days. 

Or maybe it hasn't, he muses, peering down at the canal from the bridge to the market, This place looks kinda like it was built to be a smugglers haven or something.

 He's here looking into rumours of the Skyrim branch of the Thieves Guild. Even if they don't make their base here, he's not surprised people think they do. Though some of the conversations he's been overhearing do suggest certain things. 

He glances disinterestedly at a pair on the bridge, arguing about the corruption in the city, continuing on past them and into the market.