"I really didn't mean to throw anyone a curve," I continued. "It's just an idea that Big Julie suggested to me, and I wanted to give it a shot. It wasn't until I saw how awkward the crew was when I stopped by that I realized how it must look. It never occurred to me that I was potentially setting up in competition to
M.Y.T.H., Inc.'s operation. That was never my intention."
"Yeah. Well, I don't think you have to worry about that anymore," Aahz said with a smirk. "I've set them straight on that score. There's no way you're competition to us."
Something inside me went a little dark at that last comment. I took a sip of wine to give myself a moment before responding.
"How did you convince them of that?" I asked. "Just out of curiosity."
"Well, first of all, I pointed out that you'd never deliberately do anything to hurt us," Aahz said. I nodded agreement. "Then again, there's the difference in the scope of our operations. I mean, you may be the Great Skeeve, but you're still only one person ... two and a half if you count Bunny."
"Thank you, Aahz," Bunny said, dimpling and giving him a mock curtsy.
"Oh, I don't know," I said, refilling my goblet. "We've been doing all right so far. We've only been in business for a little while, but we've already handled a couple clients' problems for them."
"Good for you," Aahz said, lifting his goblet in a small toast.
"And you're right. We've been careful not to step on M.Y.T.H., Inc.'s toes." I smiled. "We've even managed to send a little business their way. Nothing I couldn't handle, you know, but I'm keeping to the terms of my new operation."
"Oh you have, have you?" Aahz said, setting his goblet down with a click on the chair arm. "Sent us some jobs you weren't interested in, is that it? Too easy for you? Or taking pity on the folks you left behind?"
"Hey, Aahz," Bunny said, stepping forward. "It's no big thing, really."
"I wouldn't say that," Aahz said, staring at me. "Even while he's trying to get his own new business launched, the Great Skeeve is careful to make things as easy as he can for his old crew. No, Bunny. I'd say that is a big thing."
"I figured it's the least I can do," I said, staring back at him. "After all, they're my oldest and best friends ... even when they don't act like it."
"Skeeve..." Bunny said, but Aahz rolled right over her.
"Well, maybe they're a little unsure about how to act," he said, "after their 'best friend' walked out on the business and left them to twist in the wind."
"At least I told them up front what I was doing and why," I snarled. "I seem to remember someone who walked out on everyone without a word and went back home to Perv. I had to hold things together then!"
Aahz tensed and opened his mouth to speak, then hesitated.
"You're right, Skeeve," he said, finally. "I'm in no position to be critical. I will say this much, though: you can forget about walking on eggshells around us. I don't think you would be much competition for us, even if you tried. Especially not at your current level of powers."
"Says the one with no powers at all," I shot back.
The words hung in the air.
"So, this isn't really about the team at all," Aahz said softly, even dangerously. "You're still trying to protect your old partner. Well, I'll tell you something, kid, powers or not, I can still perform as well or better than anyone else ... including you! Outperform them, even."
"And exactly how are you measuring performance?" I said through gritted teeth.
"How have we always measured it?" he said with a fierce smile. "Who can earn the most?"
"That sounds like a challenge." I said.
"Does it?" Aahz said, innocently. "All right. Have it your way. It's a challenge. The one who takes in the most money will take over the leadership of M.Y.T.H., Inc. The others will go along with whatever I commit them to. What do you say?"
"All right," I said, clapping down my own goblet. A few drops splashed. I thought I had drunk all of the contents, but it was half-full. "Starting tomorrow. The first two clients that come in. You take one, and I'll take the other. We'll toss a coin to see who gets the first and who gets the second. Then we'll see who 'performs' the best. I'll show you I belong back in M.Y.T.H., Inc."
"Sounds like a plan," Aahz growled.
"You got that, Bunny?" I asked. "The first two clients tomorrow. Winner take all." "I got it," she said, emotionlessly. "I'll see you tomorrow," Aahz said, and swept out. "I really don't believe that," I said, looking after him. "Frankly, neither do I," Bunny said. Something in her voice caught my attention. "C'mon, Bunny," I said. "Did you hear what he said to me?"
"Sure," she said. There was a pitying expression on her face. "He said that he's missed you and wishes you well, to a point where he's gone to bat for you with the old team."
I blinked.
"When did he say that?" I asked. "Right after you told him how much you've missed him and still need his praise and approval." I shook my head. "Now, I know i didn't say that." She looked at me.
"No. You didn't," she said, and walked out.
TWELVE
"I've always believed in 'winner take all.'"
The first client to walk in the door. I sat at my desk, drumming my fingertips. I was still kind of smarting from the confrontation but more determined to succeed than I could ever remember. So much was at stake: my reputation, my friendship—especially my pride. Gleep lay on the floor with his chin on my lap. He rolled his big blue eyes up toward me. I scratched his ears with my fingertips.
"What if the client doesn't have the kind of problem that can be solved with money?" I asked Bunny, who stood holding up the door frame with her hip. She wrinkled her upturned nose at me.
"Really, Skeeve, how many people would that cover? Most problems have something to do with money in the long run. I'll be fair. If it really is something nonfinancial, I'll wave them off for now. Otherwise, you take what I give you. The same goes for Aahz."
"We'll see to it that he sticks to the terms, what?" Chumley said. He and Nunzio had moved a couple of
chairs from the waiting room into my office to keep me company. "Little sister is sitting with Aahz to ensure his compliance. Should be an interesting competition, eh?" Interesting. I shrugged.
"What about some three-handed Demon Pinochle to pass the time?" Nunzio asked in his high voice.
"Thanks, but I couldn't concentrate," I said.
"Oh, don't fret, Skeeve," Chumley said. "We're all rooting for you, you know."
I brightened. "You want me to win9"
After Aahz had left, I spent a lot of time trying to reconstruct our conversation. It was a muddle, i should have known better than to drink more than one glass of wine— but it had been so easy to fall back into bad habits—like going along with whatever Aahz wanted. I had been very nervous about what the others thought about the contest. When Aahz showed up at our tent flap this morning, most of my old friends had been with him. They'd agreed who would stay with each of us. and offer help or just observe. I realized too late that they all had plenty riding on the outcome of our competition, but was relieved that they didn't seem to mind that the challenge had been offered.
Chumley shook a linger at me.
"I say I'm not committing to a victor in this contest. You and Aahz made the terms: who wins, wins. My friendship is still yours. I do not mind either way as long as the contest is fairly run and fairly won. If you succeed, I know what to expect after years as your partner. I would not cavil at a return to those days—with some exceptions, of course."
"Of course," I echoed.
"If Aahz wins, then there may be some changes because he has a different way of doing business, but I don't think it is incompatible with our previous customs."