“Where was this anyway? Around here or another dimension?”

Trog leaned back in his seat and studied them with narrowed eyes.

“Not to sound ungrateful,” he said carefully, “but you’re asking a lot of questions. More than one might expect from casual curiosity. What’s you’re interest in all this?”

“It’s no big secret.” Pookie shrugged. “We’re in the same line of work as you and looking for a job. Since it sounds like your last find is still open and from the looks of things you won’t be up to trying it again for a while, we might just look into it ourselves if the pay’s right.”

Trog set his flagon down with a loud think.

“And what makes you think two females could pull it off when I couldn’t?” he demanded.

“For one thing, as you pointed out, there are two of us.” Pookie smiled. “And don’t down check us because we’re female. We’ve been around for a while and are still here. A lot who went up against us aren’t.”

Trog started to say something, the stopped and cocked his head.

“Wait a minute.” he said. “A Klahd and a Pervect working together? Are you two Aahz and Skeeve?”

Spyder choked on her drink.

“Right linage, wrong gender.” Pookie said. “Like I said, we’re Spyder and Pookie.

We know Aahz and Skeeve, though.”

“You do?” Trog said, visibly impressed.

“Yeah. We worked with them on our last job.” Spyder put in, wiping her chin.

“Let me handle this, little sister.” Pookie said with a warning glance. “Since you seem to have heard of them, Trog, you should know that if we can hold our own free-lancing with the M.Y.T.H. Inc. crew, we might stand a chance with your Hefalump.”

“Got to agree with you there.” Trog said. “That gang has be tough rep.”

“So where is the job you were talking about?”

“It’s on a backwater dimension. Rinky-dink.”