MA09 Myth Inc in Action by Robert Asprin Page A

oneself in a position of bein’ even less trustworthy than a Deveel... which is not a label I relish hangin’ upon myself.”
    “Okay... let’s examine the letter of said agreement,” Nunzio shrugs. “What you agreed to was that we would neither trash his establishment, nor would we reveal the true nature of his identity as a Deveel. Correct?”
    “Well... yeah.”
    “...Neither of which conditions is broken by us directing our attentions to the lovelies which have taken to making this establishment their after-hours habitat... even if our attentions should turn out to be unwelcome.”
    “I suppose... but don’t you think that such activity would violate at least the spirit of our agreement, by which I mean the implication that we would not make trouble for our host?”
    “That is the portion of your discomfort which I find the most amusing.” Nunzio sez with an infuriatin’ grin. “Realizing that Deveels make their living as well as their reputation by honoring the letter rather than the spirit of their agreements, I think it is ironic that you are recoiling from dealing with them with the same ethic that they deal with others.”
    I consider this for a few minutes, then take a deep breath and blow it out noisily.
    “You know, cousin,” I sez. “You’re right. I mean, when you’re right, you’re right... know what I mean?”
    “I do,” Nunzio frowned, “which is in itself a little disturbing.”
    “So... when do you think we should start?”
    “Well... how about right now?”
    While my cousin has convinced me that it would be within the bounds of ethical behavior to launch our campaign, such an accelerated-type timetable catches me unawares.
    “Excuse me?”
    “I said how about starting right now. Opportunity should be seized when it presents itself... and right now there is a young lady at the bar who has been checking you out for the last several minutes.”
    I sneak a peek in the direction he is lookin’, and sure enough... there is one of those classy broads I have been tellin’ you about, a blonde to be specific, perched on a bar stool and starin’ right at me. I know this to be true, ‘cause though for a minute I thought she was lookin’ at someone else, as soon as our eyes meet, she closes one eye in a broad wink and smiles.
    “Nunzio,” I sez, duckin’ my head and turnin’ my back on her. “There is one more problem I have neglected to mention to you.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Well, though my manners with broads are perhaps not as polished as they should be, they are nonetheless the best I have managed to acquire over the years. That is to say, I am normally on my best behavior with females, so the idea of tryin’ to act so offensive that they call for help is not particularly comfortable to me. Mind you, I am sayin’ I would have difficulty doin’ this with the ordinary broads I am accustomed to dealin’ with, and to tell you the truth, I find the kind of classy broads that hang out here more than a little intimidatin’. I’m not sure I can start a conversation with one, much less summon the courage to try to be offensive.”
    “Well, I don’t think that starting a conversation is going to be a problem,” Nunzio sez.
    “Why not?”
    “Because the lady in question is on her way over to our table already.”
    Surprised, I swing my head back around to check things out for myself... and come dangerously close to plantin’ my nose in the broad’s cleavage, as she is much closer to our table than Nunzio had indicated.
    “Oops... Sorry!” I sez, though it occurred to me as I said it that it was not a great start to bein’ offensive.
    “No problem,” she sez. “A girl likes to feel appreciated. Mind if I join you?”
    Somethin’ about the way she grins while sayin’ this is familiar... or at least, decidedly unladylike. Before I can comment, however, Nunzio has taken over.
    “Certainly. In fact, you can have my chair... I was just leaving anyway. Catch you later,