The Adventures of Duncan & Mallory

by Robert Asprin

From the way Humphrey was jumping around and yelling, it was obvious he expected the police to make chase. It was just as clear by the way that the cops stood with their arms crossed that they had no intention of doing so.

  “Well here’s some good news,” Mallory said. “It looks like they aren’t going to come after us.”

  “You realize this is the first time we’ve actually had the boat in the Sliding?” Duncan said.

  Mallory looked out at the massiveness of the river. “Seems silly now that we didn’t know we weren’t on the river, doesn’t it?”

  “You know, Mal, it’s a little intimidating. There are boats everywhere and… Well, we were going to learn more about the boat and driving it, and the river and all that, but we didn’t. We didn’t even ever get that map we kept talking about. I wish I knew what I was doing instead of just guessing.”

  “Now what would be the fun of that? It seems simple. Don’t run into other boats and don’t run into the land.” Mallory turned and started down the stairs.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Someone has to entertain our guests.” Mallory smiled and yelled down the stairs, “Anyone up for a game of cards?”