The smoky interior of the bar smothered Tab’s face.

“Why did we have to come here again?” he whispered to Lig.

“Relax, I’ve been here millions o’ times,” Lig replied in a husky voice.

Tab glanced around. Rough weasels tumbled around the grimy floor, a beaten player piano sat in a corner, useless. Dim kerosene lamps lit everything. A ferret turned to him with bloodshot eyes.

“Hey, kid. You’s gonna come in heah, you’s gotta pay,” it said.

Tab jumped and scurried over to Lig. Lig stared at him blithely. “Scared?” he said.

“The-the ferret said I had to pay.”

“Well, let’s just put in on the tab, shall we?” The meerkat grinned cheesily.