drunk Dumbo.”
“Not quite yet,” Frankie snorted. “Dry out for a bit, and all the pink elephants should stay away.
Alcohol can be fun, like anything, but in moderation. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Snod made a face. “You said you had good news?”
“I’ve put in the order with my contact for one brand spanking new identity for you! Oh! And Lorenzo
is almost done with the first prototype for Project Unvampify,” Frankie replied cheerfully. “Today
was good! What about you? How was your day?”
Snod waved his hand toward the television whereThe Great Mouse Detectivewas currently playing.
“What you see is what you get.”
“You spent the whole day getting drunk and watching cartoons?”
“Idle hands,” Snod replied, flopping back down on the couch. “I have no purpose, I have no...
mission.”
“Well, you’re going to,” Frankie reassured him, patting his leg. “We’re going to go see my friend
about that job. Get up, let’s get you cleaned up.”
“The one that owns the bar?”
“Yes, he owns Cheap Trills,” Frankie confirmed, pulling Snod back up into a sitting position. “Come
on. You’re gonna love Rees, trust me.”
Snod fussed, but let Frankie help him up and get him ready to go out. It was still quite amazing how
quickly Frankie could move, getting them both dressed in fresh clothes in a matter of seconds. Frankie
kissed him fondly, offering him a bottle of water before they left.
Snod drank it on the way over, trying to sober up before he met his potential employer. He knew the
karaoke bar well, having stalked Frankie here so many nights before. He had never actually been
inside, surprised to find it so worn down and bordering on seedy.
Many of the chairs were broken, and the small stage was in desperate need of repair. All the table
tops were scuffed, the neon lights were half lit, and the odor of cigarette smoke permeated every
breath.
It was a dump.
It didn’t appear to be open yet, but Frankie had no problem walking right up to the bar. Snod was not
impressed, sitting down on a barstool and grimacing when he realized the seat was sticky.
Lovely.
