5.
A Bug in Between
I awoke handcuffed to a seat in the cabin of a private jet.
Graisseux sprawled in a co-pilot's chair built to conform
to his massive bulk. Thalia wept in another seat. Old Mr. Szeu
lay crumpled and bruised on the floor, while a half-dozen
grisly bugs circled overhead.
"It's a good thing the old man talked," said Noneck from
the pilot's seat.
Graisseux stirred impatiently. "Well? Did Thalia's art
director enter our contest or not?"
"But what if the broad warned him?" whined Singlebrow,
sweating as he pawed through a thick stack of computer
printouts. "What if he didn't enter the contest?"
"He's been in all the contests," said Graisseux. "He's
won gold medals in advertising and graphics competition
from coast to coast. He'll enter" He pointed to a poster
taped to the cabin wall.
The headline said WIN THE CREATIVITY BOWL
and the bottom line said FIRST PRIZE: 100 OUNCES
OF GOLD. But I didn't read them until I finished looking
at the stunning erotic photo of blonde and busty Thalia
holding a golden cube.
"I found it!" said Singlebrow. "He entered, all right,
and he lives in Santa Barbara, California" He showed the
printout to Graisseux, then looked back and saw me. "Hey,
boss, the dick's been listening."
"Forget him,' said Graisseux. "We'll take care of these
petty details after we have this clever graphic designer
Gordon Mortensen under control."
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