though what they were about specifically I couldn’t tell
through the grime obscuring their faces. There was a small
bar with stools along one wall, where three tough-looking
patrons crouched hunched forward in conversation with the
bartender. They ceased talking and regarded me briefly with
cold, unfriendly stares as I surveyed the place, though
whether their hostility was because I was a stranger or be-
cause I was from off-dimension I wasn’t sure. It did occur
to me that I was still wearing my disguise spell business
suit which definitely set me apart from the dark, weather-
beaten outfits the other patrons wore almost like a uniform.
It also occurred to me that this might not be the wisest place
to have a quiet drink.
“I think we should get out of here, Skeeve.”
I don’t know when Kalvin rejoined me, but he was there
hovering at my side again. His words echoed my own
thoughts, but sheer snorkiness made me take the opposite
stance.
“Don’t be a snob, Kalvin,” I muttered. “Besides, sitting
down for a while was your idea, wasn’t it?”
Before he could answer, I strode to one of the tables and
plopped down in a seat, raising one hand to signal the
bartender. He ignored it and returned to his conversation
with the other drinkers.
“C’mon, Skeeve. Let’s catch a cab back to the hotel and
have our conversation there,” Kalvin said, joining me.
“You’re in no frame of mind to start drinking. It’ll only
make things worse.”
He made a lot of sense. Unfortunately, for the mood I
was in, he made too much sense.
“You heard the Butterfly, Kalvin. I’ve been letting too