If we have to make enough noise that everyone in the country knows-—" She patted her oversized handbag.
"Yeah, well that makes sense," Mike said. "But-—" He took Harry aside. "Harry, take this. It's a thousand."
"I don't need-—"
Mike's voice was low but intense. "Harry, you never ask until you need it right now. This time-—just take the money, Harry. Think of it as default option money. It's your last gasp. When you run low on funds and Jenny's ready to rob some poor schlub at gunpoint, use the damn money instead."
Harry hadn't taken it. Mike said, "You know her, Harry. Any excuse. "Bring it down, bring it down-—"
"Yeah." Harry took the money and had it in his boot with a minimum of motion.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Treasure Hunt,
or
The Hundredth Dream
-—Ghost, with both hands, you couldn't find your-—
-—That's why I'm here, you pitiful Primary Ego. This is too serious for me to sit back and watch you screw things up. Did you think I would stay down there amusing myself by burning those old copies of The Intergalactic Reporter-—?
-—Well, an imp has to keep itself warm somehow. If you would heat the dungeon I wouldn't have had to ignite that stack of Lan's Lanterns last week-—
°Shriek°
-—Or the FOSFAXs or Mimosas. They're getting dry and crumbly. Make good tinder
-—Point? Point? Oh, very well. Friends, don't trust The Ghost. His minds aren't what they used to be. Send your contributions to the usual places. DUFF, SKIFFY, TAFF, they're all in this. The final drawing hasn't been scheduled yet; but the big prize is still the Trip of a Lifetime. Remember, two Grand Prize winners