with the crime rate the way it is. We’re moving targets for
every amateur stick-up artist or hijacker who needs a quick
bankroll. I had that baby installed so I’d know in advance
what was sittin’ down behind me.”
He shot me a quick wink over his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, though. I won’t charge you extra for the
Djin. He don’t take up much space. So far as I can tell,
you two are harmless enough.”
That reassured me, at least to a point where I no longer
considered jumping from the moving vehicle.
“I take it you don’t share the general low opinion of folks
from off-dimension?”
“Don’t make no never mind to me, as long as you pay
your way,” the driver waved. “As far as I can tell, you
got enough money on ya that I don’t think you’ll try to
welch on anything as piddling as a cab fare. Keep up the
disguise, though. Some of the merchants around here will
raise their prices at the sight of someone from off-dimension
just to make you feel unwelcome . . . and things are already
priced sky-high.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
“… And you might be careful carrying so much cash.
Everything you’ve heard about crime on the streets in this
place is true. In fact, you’d probably be best off hiring
yourself a bodyguard while you’re here. If you want, I can
recommend a couple good ones.”
“You know, that might not be a bad idea,” Kalvin said.
“In case I hadn’t mentioned it, Djinger is a pretty peaceful
36 Robert Asprin
dimension. I won’t be much help to you in a fight.”
I ignored him as the cabbie continued, apparently unable
to hear the Djin despite his various devices. Remembering