M.Y.T.H. Inc In Action by Robert Asprin

“What’s with you, Swatter?” Spyder sez, cockin’ her head at me. “You sound like you’re really down on the Mob.”

“He’s just a little edgy,” Nunzio puts in quick before I can answer myself. “We were having a bit of an argument when you joined us.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she blinks, poppin’ to her feet. “I didn’t know I was interrupting anything. I can catch you guys later. Just think about what I was asking, okay?”

We watch her walk away, which is a real treat, as feminine company has been notably lackin” since we started our trainin’. Then Nunzio turns to me.

“Okay. What’s eating you?”

“The same thing that’s been eatin’ me since the Boss sent us on this assignment,” I sez. “Talkin’ about the Mob makes it harder than usual to ignore. Know what I mean?”

“We wasn’t assigned, we volunteered.”

“We was asked to volunteer by the Boss, which for us is the same as bein’ ordered.”

Nunzio heaves one of his big sighs and droops a little.

“I guess we might as well have this out right now,” he grimaces. “You’re talking about us being here in Possiltum right?”

“I’m talkin’ about us declarin’ war on the Mob,” I corrects. “Seein’ as how we’re currently holdin’ the bag at ground zero, this is of some concern to me. Sorry, but I tend to get a bit nervous about overwhelmin’-type firepower when it is apt to be directed at me … especially when all we’ve got is government issue crossbows … and leather skirts for armor!”

If, perhaps, this concern of mine has taken youse by surprise, allow me to enlighten youse, startin’ with a brief history lesson. For those of youse already aware of the danger cousin Nunzio and I are in, however, feel free to skip to the next asterisk-type punctuation mark.