M.Y.T.H. Inc. Link By Robert Asprin

“No, I’m more of a night-life specialist. That’s why I’m wearing these sunglasses. I’m very sensitive to the light.”

“Night life? I’m not sure I understand.”

I hid a little smile and looked at the ceiling.

“What Vic here is tryin’ to say,” I told the Deveel, as casually as I could, “is that he’s a vampire.”

Hysterium let go of the hand he had been pumpin’ like it had bitten him.

“A vampire?!”

Vic smiled at him again, this time lettin’ his outsized canines show.

“That’s right. Why? Have you got something against vampires?”

The client started edgin’ away across the office.

“No! It’s just that I never . . . No. It’s fine by me. Really.”

“Well, now that that’s settled,” I said, takin’ command of the situation again, “let’s get down to business. If I understand it right, you’ve got a white elephant on your hands here and we’re supposed to turn it into a gold mine by the first of the month.”

Hysterium was gingerly seatin’ himself behind his desk again.

“I… Yes. I guess you could summarize the situation that way. We’re scheduled to be ready to open in three weeks.”

“… And what kind of budget have we got to pull this miracle off with?” Vic said, abandoning his “looming vampire” bit to lean casually against the wall.

“Budget?”

“You know. Big Plunger. As in ‘money’?” I urged. “We know what our fees are. How much are you willin’ to sink into decorations and advertisin’ to launch this place properly?”

“Oh, that. I think I’ve got the figures here someplace. Of course, I’ll be working with you on this.”