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

“It just seems to me that it is a revoltin’ form of class bias and bigotry,” I sez, “assumin’ that a woman’s respectability is a matter of her financial standin’ and education. Wouldn’t it be better if it were the other way around? I mean, if a woman’s respectability determined where she stood in the financial order instead of the other way around?”

“There are two problems with that,” Nunzio sez. “First of all, the same unfair standard is applied to men as well … meanin’ it holds for everyone, not just women. Them what is rich and educated is always deemed more respectable … if for no other reason than they wield more power and pay more taxes.”

“That’s true,” I sez, noddin’ thoughtful-like. “The second problem is that it’s completely off the subject of what we was discussin’ … which is to say how to cause disruption.”

“It is?”

“What is more, any time you try to start a philosophical discussion with me, it is to be taken as a sure sign that you are deliberately tryin’ to divert my attention … as normally you avoid such conversations like a subpoena.”

I say nothin’ when he pauses, as he seems to have me cold. I had been tryin’ to change the subject.

“All of this, the attempt at stupidity and the lame effort at philosophical discussion, leads me to believe that for some reason you are stalling and do not wish to commence working on our assignment. Am I right?”

I avoid his eyes and shrug kinda vague-like.

“Come on, Cuz, talk to me,” Nunzio urges. “Are you really havin’ so much fun playing soldier that you want to prolong the experience?”