“I have also noted, over the course of our friendship, that his hearing is curiously erratic. He can hear a lizard-bird scratching itself half a mile away, but occasionally seems unable to hear the politest of requests no matter how loudly I shout them at him.”

“The Demon curled its lips back, revealing a double row of needle-sharp teeth.I considered changing my chosen course of action; I considered fainting.”

“I should of known he was married. I mean, nobody that young is THAT bald unless he's got a wife at home.”

“Well, kid," Aahz said, sweeping me with an appraising stare, "it looks like we're stuck with each other. The setup isn't ideal, but it's what we've got. Time to bite the bullet and play with the cards we're dealt. You do know what cards are, don't you?""Of course," I said, slightly wounded."Good.""What's a bullet?”

“Now that we've got the whole story," he said solemnly, "now you can panic.”

“Please ta meetcha, kid. I'm Aahz.""Oz?""No Relation.""No relation to what?" I asked, but he was examining the room again.”

“Relax, Stranger. Things are not as they seem.”