Pay for a seat (6)
I believe the answer is:
settle
I believe this is a double definition.
'pay for' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a seat' is the second definition.
(settle is a kind of seat)
(Other definitions for settle that I've seen before include "Colonise with a seat" , "Fall on to floor" , "Agree or decide (one's position)" , "Long wooden bench with a back" , "Pay up or become established in place" .)