Sandman Slim (Sandman Slim 1)

"Phew."

Lucifer picks up a stone between his thumb and forefinger, takes my hand, and drops the stone into it.

"Keep it. You just might need it someday, Sandman Slim."

I don't know what that means, but the way he says it makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

He looks at his watch.

"I've got to run. Thanks for the flickers."

He gives me a wink and starts down the stairs.

I yell down after him, "You forgot your bowling bag."

Lucifer looks up at me.

"That's for you. I wasn't entirely sure I was going to give it to you, but after you gave me this lovely gift,"-he holds up the stones-"I think you deserve it."

That doesn't sound good. But if he wanted me dead, he could have done it without me even knowing he was there. I open the bag. Kasabian's head looks up at me from inside.

"Hello, asshole."

I slam the bag shut.

"I can't make these personal calls all the time," Lucifer says. "Kasabian here will be my voice when I want to get in touch. Of course, you can also relay messages to me through him."

"And the rest of the time he'll be your spy."

"O ye of little faith."

Lucifer vanishes from the stairs.

I can hear Kasabian's voice from inside the bag. I open it about an inch.

"Come on, man. You think I wanted this gig? You told me to ask for a job."

I open the bag the rest of the way and take Kasabian out. Clear a spot on the table and set him down.

"Is that a Malediction?" Kasabian asks. "Can I have one?"

I take mine, put it between his lips, and let him puff.

"So what's being dead like?" I ask.

"Eh. I've felt worse."

"You know. I thought I'd be dead now. That's how I always pictured it. When the Circle was gone, I was supposed to be gone, too."

"Aw. Dying didn't work out for you? Boo hoo. Shove your James Dean wet dreams up your ass. At the end of the day, you're still Sandman Slim and I'm still a head in a bag that smells like someone used it to store an extra ass."

"I miss Alice."

"I miss my balls." Kasabian looks around. "Who fucked up my room?"

"It's my room now and you did. When you blew yourself up."

"Oh, right. That sucked. I heard you got Parker."