"Asprin, Robert - Myth 09 - M.Y.T.H Inc. In Action" - читать интересную книгу автора (Asprin Robert)

"Think it through, Guido," he sez." He thinks we're from off-dimension, because we know about Dragon Poker... right?"

"Yeah. So?"

"So how does he know about it?"

To me, this question is as trivial as wonderin' how a cop happens to know about a particular ordinance... Which is to say it is beside the point, totally overlookin' the immediate dilemma of dealin' with the aftermath of us gettin' caught breakin' it.

"I dunno. I guess someone showed it to him. So what?"

For some reason, this seems to get Nunzio even more upset.

"Guido, " he sez, clenchin' his teeth, " sometimes I wonder if all those knocks on the head you've taken have... Oops! He's coming back. quick... Bee?"

"Yes, Nunzio?" our junior magician sez, blinkin' with surprise at havin' been suddenly included in our discussion.

"Get your dis-spell ready, and when I give you the nod... throw it on the proprietor."

"The proprietor? Why?"

"Bee... Just do it. Okay?" I interrupts, havin' learned from experience that the only thing that takes longer than lis0tenin' to one of Nunzio's lectures is tryin' to pry a straight answer out of him when he's tryin' to let you discover the point yourself.

Bee down to say somethin', then shuts his mouth, shrugs, startin' to mumble and mutter like he does when he's gettin' ready to use magik.

The others at the table look at Nunzio expectant-like, but he just leans back in his chair lookin' confident and smug. I, of course, imitate his action, though I have no more idea what he is about to pull than the rest of the crew. You see, past experience has taught me that one of the best times to act confident is when youse is totally in the dark... But would just as soon no one else is aware of your ignorance.

"Are you still here?" the proprietor demands, materializin' beside our table again. "I Don't want to have to tell you again! Now get out before I call the cops!"

"I Don't think so," Nunzio sez, starin' at the ceilin'.

"WHAT??!!"

"... In fact, I was thinkin' we might want to make your place our home away from home... If you know what I mean."

"Iz zat so?! Think just 'cause you're in the army you can do any thing you want, do you? Well, let me tell you something, soldier -boy. I happen to be a tax paying member of this community in good standing with the authorities, and soldiers or not they Don't take too kindly to demons in these parts. In fact, I can't think of one good reason why I shouldn't call the police right now and have them drag you all right out of here!"

"I can," Nunzio smiles, and nods at Bee.

At the cue, Spellin' Bee squares his shoulders, purses his lips, and lets fly with his dis-spell, and...

"What the..."

"MY GOD!!!"

"lookit..."

The reason for this outpourin' of surprise and disbelief on the part of our crew is that, despite our time with them, Nunzio and me has failed to brief or other wise prepare them for acceptin' the concept of demons... Which is what they're suddenly confronted with. That is, as soon as Bee co MPleted his spell, there was a ripplin' in the air around the proprietor, and instead of a greasy local type, he now looked just like...

"A Deveel!" I sez, hidin' my own surprise.