names of our citizens you’re dealin’ with.”
Too late I saw-the trap. As a businessman, I should have
local references. This may seem like a silly oversight to
you, but you’ll have to remember my background up to this
point. Most of my ventures into the various dimensions have
been more of the raider or rescue mission variety, so it never
occurred to me there was another way of doing business.
Of course, admitting this would probably do little toward
improving the impression I was making on this stalwart of
the law.
I considered my alternatives. I considered trying to lie
my way out of the predicament. Finally, I decided to give
the truth one last try.
“There isn’t anyone specifically that I’m dealing with.”
I said carefully. “The fact of the matter is that I’m looking
for someone.”
“Oh? Then you’re hirin’ for your corporation? Out to
raid some of our local talent?”
That didn’t sound too good either.
“It’s not a recruiting mission, I assure you. I’m trying
to find my … one of our employees.”
The policeman straightened a bit, looking up from his
notebook once more. .
“Now, that’s a different matter entirely,” he said. “Have
you been by a station to fill out a missing person report?”
I tried to imagine Aahz’s reaction if I had the police pick
MYTH-NOMERS AND IM-PERVECTIONS 77
him up. Mercifully, my mind blocked the image.
“Are you kidding? I mean … no, I haven’t.”
“… Or do you think you’re better at locatin’ folks than
the police are?”
I was getting desperate. It seemed that no matter what I
said, it was getting twisted into the worst possible interpre-