Page 30 of Office of the Lost

“Indeed.”Crispin gave a tug on the rope that Leopold interpreted as a warning.“And I do believe it’s time for his dinner, so we’ll be getting back to the hotel.You know how apes get when they’re hungry.Thank you again!”

The cop managed to ruffle Leopold’s hair before they escaped.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Leopold growled.“What thehell, Crispy?”

“Crispin.”His usual protest sounded a little halfhearted.“Do you want to be taken away to the pound?If not, we need to keep the leash on you when we’re in public here.”

“Where the hell is here?”

“Earth.”

“But—”

“A slightly different version of Earth.We’ll call it Earth 2, though as far as the natives are concerned, your planet is Earth 2.Anyhow, in this place the dinosaurs evolved to become the sentient species.The apes did not.Otherwise the worlds are quite similar, although I must say that this one is more peaceful.Archosaurs are somewhat less pugnacious than primates, as it turns out.Now hush—you mustn’t let others hear you speaking.”

They passed several others as they walked.Couples and families out for an evening stroll, apparently.Most of them paused to admire him, petting him and calling him embarrassing names.Which was bad enough, but even worse was the archosaur in the muscle shirt and too-tight shorts who muttered something about germs and told Crispin his pet ought to be muzzled.

Leopold snarled at him.The startled and slightly frightened look on the archosaur’s face was reward enough.

They walked for over a mile: out of the park, through a residential neighborhood, and into what was clearly downtown.A lot of businesses were closed because it was now nighttime, but there were also a lot of restaurants that seemed to be lively.Realizing he was hungry, Leopold gazed longingly into the windows as they passed.Somehow the treats gifted by Fromlith hadn’t seemed to have transitioned with them.Or Leopold had lost them on Moth World.Or maybe they’d eaten them all.He couldn’t remember—his memory was the first thing to go when he was really hungry.

“They wouldn’t let you inside,” said Crispin quietly.“Sorry.I’ll get us something to eat soon.”

“Where are we going?”

“It just so happens,” and Crispin puffed up a bit, regaining some of his former pomposity, “that I know someone in this city.”

“As long as this someone has food.Human eatable food.”He felt it was important to specify the last part, lest he get a hunk of raw meat shoved under his snout.

Leopold did not like being a pet.But since there wasn’t much he could do about it at the moment, he allowed himself to be led along.A group of what were probably teenage dinosaurs skateboarding by a fountain made monkey noises at him and laughed.

It occurred to him then to wonder how he’d understood everyone no matter where they went.Even the moths.Surely not all worlds spoke English.

It was probably just the magic; best to leave it at that.

They came to a tall glass-and-steel building that wouldn’t have been out of place on L Street back home, and went inside to an elegant lobby.A dinosaur in a suit was perched behind a gleaming wood desk.“I’m sorry, sir.We don’t allow pets in this building.You can tie it up outside if you like.”

“I’m just paying a quick visit to a resident, and it’s vital that I take, er, my pet with me.Perhaps you could announce me?I’m Crispin Eladrin Moss’caladin.”He said his name with an air of importance.

The concierge straightened his back.“OftheMoss’caladins, sir?”

“Of course.”

“I’m so sorry, sir!I had no idea.I’ll call right away.”

Huh.Crispy’s mom really was a big deal.Interesting.

As promised, the concierge made a quick call and then waved them to the elevators.As soon as the doors closed, Leopold yanked the end of the rope out of Crispin’s hand.“What thehell?”He’d been saying that a lot lately.

“I’m sorry.It’s only, primates here aren’t capable of speech.If they heard you, they’d probably cart you off to a lab somewhere to study you, and….”

Leopold was getting some seriousPlanet of the Apesvibes.He shuddered.“Fine.But we’re not sticking around here, right?I think I almost preferred the damn moths.”

Crispin bit his lip.“I’m sorry, Leo.We’ll leave as soon as possible.That’s why we’re here in this building—we’re going to visit an acquaintance.”

Leopold let the nickname slide.There were too many things to be unhappy about all at once.And because Crispin didn’t sound especially thrilled about this little visit, Leopold grew uneasy.“What kind of acquaintance?”

“He’s—well, I suppose wizard would be the closest approximation.”Crispin looked away, shoving his hands in his tweedy pockets.

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