Caily's fans do a fine job, but personally, I think she should have called in a couple of Dervishes. They work cheap, get the job done, and all those flashing knives are sure to impress even the most jaded barbarian.

Well, the air is now clear enough that Lotus can see me. She brings her beautiful self and a brimming bowl of kash to my corner table for some good old-fashioned face-time. Ere long, we are joined by the horned Celt, and Apil manages to escape from behind the bar. He scuttles under the table and hides from the Germaniacs, fearing they would discover he was no longer inside their trunk.

We watch with interest as the Barbs prepare to make their exit. The Hairy one and the Horny one strain their mighty muscles in lifting their precious trunk. They exchange smug grins, imagining the wealth of "silver" they have collected from the dancers. I look under the table, hoping for an explanation from Apil, but he gives me a smug grin of his own and signals for my silence.

The ever-mysterious Black Dragon Lady saunters over and finally coaxes Apil from his hidey-hole. Through the blatant use of bribery (a bowl of kash), she manages to get the full story of the great trunk-switch caper from the Meso Minister of Nearly Everything. I come near to splitting my sides with laughter as the tale unfolds.

"But what of the other trunk and the lovely lass from Aegypt?" I ask. "Do you plan to keep her for yourself?"

SPECIAL NOTE TO HERGER:

Kashette is our Official Guardian Ostrich (OGO) of the Kash Bowl. She was hatched from an egg, right on the premises and tends to take a proprietary interest in the place. A VERY proprietary interest! Those who have crossed her have learned that her bite is much worse than her bark, which is quite understandable since ostriches make very little noise.


KASHETTE