The second week with Vic was a lot smoother. I just kept telling myself everything's fine.

Until I more or less believed it was true. I mean, aside from the ever-present possibility of being murdered,

by monsters, or arrested by homicide detectives, it basically was true.

After all, I was now under the protection of King Murcus, an economy-sized monarch from the land of the Fay.

To be honest, didn't really make me feeling safer.

I understood the sprites were powerful entities who operate outside our perception of reality.

But, geez, it was so small, cute, you know.

A King Murcus doll would absolutely clean house at Christmas time. Every kid would want one.

A Friday finally arrived. All day long, I breathlessly hoped Vic was going to tell me that I'd be paired up with literally anybody else for the next rotation.

I didn't give a flying fuck who it was, as long as it wasn't Victor Bonacelli.

At the end of the day, Vic stopped in on the changing room and said,

Oh, up, man. I got a proposition for you.

I nodded, tried to look casual. My stomach was suddenly nodded with tension.

Vic smiled down at me and said, I had an act temporary position I needed to fill.

And I got to do it ASAP. I'm going to make you the zoo ambassador, you know, just a couple of weeks, maybe three.

You'd save me the trouble that come in here at night. I can't do late nights no more.

Not if I can help it. I like to get my beauty sleep.

What do you say?

I stared at him in confusion. God Almighty, what was happening now?

I rubbed my temples and muttered, what the fresh hell is this?

Vic narrows his eyes and grunted. Who is that?

You say something just now?

...