“Hello, Max, Fang,” said Dr. Gunther-Hagen, smiling as he watched Fang scramble to recover his winnings. “Strange seeing you here. I didn’t think you were t
he gambling types.”
“We’re not,” I said. “Fang, leave that money for some poor soul who really needs it,” I said, all Mother Teresa again. Except I didn’t leave my cups of cash behind.
I stepped out of the elevator, squinting in the bright light. “Why are you here?” See, this is where my lack of social graces comes in handy. I don’t waste time and energy on thinking of what the nice thing to do is.
Dr. Hans’s eyebrows rose. “I’m here for a professional convention, being held at one of the resorts. But why are you here? Where’s the rest of the flock?”
“At Ripley’s,” I said. “So, what, you saw us and decided to just pop in, say hi?”
“Yes,” said Dr. Hans pleasantly. “Is Dylan with you? How is he progressing?”
“Dandy!” I lied again. “We left him over at one of the craps tables. That way.” I pointed back to the elevator. “I’m sure he can’t wait to see you!”
“We have to go,” said Fang, putting his hand on my arm.
“Wait, please,” said Dr. Hans. “I’m happy to have run into you. I wanted to reiterate what I said in Africa. And I wanted to make sure you received my offer for Iggy. Is it not compelling? You could give him the gift of sight, in return for a little cooperation. You could be invaluable to my project because — well, you’re a miracle, really.”
Gosh, a miracle! It had been ages since someone called me that. Actually, no one had ever called me that.
“You planning to turn Max into another one of your mistakes?” Fang asked, his face cold and still.
Dr. G-H looked around, as if realizing what a public place this was. He gestured us over toward some isolated benches in the entry plaza. “The apocalypse is coming. You’ve been on a mission to save the world. Do you understand how you’re supposed to do that?”
Okay, the details on that had been sketchy, but I wasn’t about to admit it.
“By having you chop off one of my wings to see if it grows back? I don’t think so.”
He went on. “Max, I promise you will remain intact. My research will help current humans adapt, so they can live in the radically different environment we’ll all be facing. We estimate that more than half the world’s population will simply disappear; I’ve found a way to keep some people alive long enough to ensure that the human race isn’t extinguished entirely.” His voice was pleading, his face earnest.
“You’re a prince,” I said. “But I gave you my answer back in Africa.”
He paused a second, then continued. “I anticipate people will be scared and worried. Most of them won’t understand what I hope to accomplish. But if you were my spokesperson, demonstrating that being different can be wonderful and even necessary, then I could get many, many more people to understand and accept my program.”
Who did this guy think he was? The world’s savior? Was that position even open? And what did he want me to be? A walking, talking, flying commercial?
“It seems like a worthy cause,” I said. I felt Fang’s muscles tense. “Tell you what — I’ll go ahead and jump on this crazy bandwagon. Count me in.”
Dr. Hans’s eyes widened and a smile lit his face. “Max, that’s wonderf —”
“My price is a million dollars.” I know. I’m bad.
“My dear” — he glanced with amusement at my and Fang’s hoard of coins — “I do believe you just said you didn’t need any money.”
“I said we weren’t gambling types. I’m all about serious business, Doc. And I’m telling you that a million dollars is what it will take for me to even consider this gig.”
I could see the wheels turning in his head. I bet those hamsters were tired.
“I could do a million dollars,” he said slowly, nodding.
Oh, I forgot — the guy was a billionaire arts patron and he owned a bunch of huge pharma companies that bankrolled all his plans.
“I meant a million dollars a day,” I revised. Don’t ever say I’m not a tough negotiator.
“This isn’t a joke, Max,” he said coldly. “You might think carefully about what you say to me. You’ve already lied to me once today. I know the flock isn’t with you. I also know Dylan isn’t either, even though he should be.” I felt Fang flinch next to me. “You consistently ignore my advice, and you will regret it if you continue to do so. I have great resources at my disposal. I can help you tremendously, and I want to. I can also do the opposite of that.”
I stood my ground. “You evil scientists are all the same — evil. Count me out.”