He held up the coffee cup his aunt had given him this very morning as a birthday present several months early. She’d been gleeful over his reaction when he opened the gift. She’d even had Juliana film him to capture his horrified digital expression forever.
Axel looked at the cup, but didn’t seem too upset.
“I can see by your smile that you already recognize this product.”
His brother shrugged. “I can neither confirm nor deny—”
“Save it.”
“What’s wrong? It’s just a coffee cup.”
“Oh, this is not ‘just’ a coffee cup. Do you know what happens when you fill it with a warm beverage?”
Axel said, “I can neither confirm nor deny—”
“Stop. I can’t believe you approved using alien technology for one of her schemes.”
“Yeah, because Aunt Dixie came to me with her latest idea, explained every intricate detail and then let me offer my opinions throughout the whole process.” Axel rolled his eyes and shook his head at the outlandish idea of Dixie Lou Grey asking anyone’s permission to do exactly what she wanted to do at any given time of the day.
Diesel sighed. It was as he suspected. Axel knew all about Dixie’s cup caper, but still didn’t squeal on their aunt.
“Fair point, but the second you saw this cup you should have come to me. You could have at least issued a warning.”
“Besides the alien technology that no one will likely notice, what’s your problem?”
Diesel pulled out his thermos of hot coffee and filled the cup. Seconds later, instead of an innocuous landscape with a few nondescript alien faces dotted here and there, a scandalous image of Maxwell the Martian, bare hind end pushed out like a stripper angling for dollar bills, appeared with a little thought bubble above his head that said, “Well, crack my crater, this cup is as hot as a naked alien.”
The very fine detail of Maxwell’s nude buttocks as the truck stop’s mascot looked over his shoulder with a silly grin in place was more than a little shocking.
Axel’s eyes widened. “She gave youthiscup?” He looked somewhat ill.
Diesel nodded. “I can’t believe you knew about this and failed to tell me.”
“It’s not what you think.”
Diesel looked at Maxwell’s naked butt. “I think this is a catastrophe and we need to do a worldwide recall.”
Cam burst out laughing. “No, you don’t. This was only the joke cup, Diesel. Only this single cup was made, to the best of my knowledge. You know, as a joke for you especially, Fearless Leader.”
“Well, hardy har har.”
“I wish I could have seen your face the first time you put hot coffee in it.”
Diesel looked skyward. “Get my wife to show you the short video on her phone. I’m hilariously surprised. There are even several inappropriate swear words. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
“Thanks for the tip. I’ll do that.”
“Is that all you wanted to discuss?”
“That’s it.”
Diesel pointed at the door. “Sneak out and don’t tell anyone I’m in here.”
“Will do.”
Axel opened the door. Nova Green strolled in as if the two had choreographed the move in advance.
“There’s someone waiting to see you,” Diesel’s assistant said.
