"This isn't how it was supposed to be," Rolina muttered, unsettled by the strange vision.
"Aw, over already? You two swapped tongues for three whole minutes. Thought you were going for a world record," Ira sighed, disappointed.
"Would you like her kiss then?" Sam teased. Rolina stuck out her tongue—forked and thin like a serpent's.
"No thanks, bro~ I'd rather not get my liver eaten by an alien princess," Ira raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Sam said I'm a great kisser, Ira," Rolina smirked, retracting her tongue. "Now—where's my order, you oaf?"
"Of course. Right here." Ira hefted a large black case onto the counter. "So, Sam, how's work treating you?"
"Work? It's all 'bout the money, man. Don't ask too much. Rolina, show what you've got, babae~" Sam slapped her shoulder.
Rolina pulled back her shawl, and Sam shouted, "I meant the fucking gem." She rolled her eyes and dug into her bag, producing what should have been a golden jewel—but now it was just a dull yellow stone.
"Huh? Looks like cheap quartz to me," Ira leaned closer, chuckling.
"This rock will make me richer and rock harder than a sultan. Soon I'll be wearing ten-million-dollar watches. Forget middlemen—I'll sell it straight to the rich and rake in the cash. Cha-ching!" Sam jabbed his finger at his chest, puffed with pride.
Rolina's hand clamped his shoulder. "And my share?"
Sam smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Her cleavage fund too."
"Don't forget the ring while you're at it," Ira muttered. "By the way, Rolina—how are your parents? Haven't heard about them in two years."
"They're fine, I guess. My mother's the same. As for the old man—he can rot wherever he is." Rolina's tone was dismissive.
"You never think of going back? I've never even seen your home. What's there—ghouls, radiation or some shit?" Sam pressed.
"Last time I saw 'em was six years ago. I don't want to go back. That house was never worth living in." Rolina frowned.
"Suit yourself. I don't care about family drama. We're just ghosts drifting through space. If we ever hit Earth, we'd be retired anyway. Family reunions? Not my thing. But I'll admit—seeing families together makes me feel… orgasmic. What's your hometown called again? Hakuna Matata?"
"Alcatiana. Don't bring it up again. Chicken-go boy" She dragged the black case closer.
"It's Chicago! Best pizza in Illinois. Heh. Let's see what's inside this cursed box." Sam cracked it open.
Inside were artificial eyes floating in jars of liquid. "Contact lenses? What the hell? Don't tell me you wasted money again." He held one up.
"Try 'em on, you'll see," Rolina said, pulling out a smaller case. Inside was a sleek, high-tech bodysuit.
"This one's mine." Her little dog Fuzzy poked its head out of her bag.
"Pretty suit, huh, pup?" Rolina cooed.
The dog barked hoarsely, making her nod. "See? Even he agrees."
"Alien lingerie, more like," Sam teased, twisting open the jar.
"Just because I was born on Venus doesn't make me a horny freak." Rolina glared.
"You two never stop bickering," Ira muttered, ducking behind the counter.
Sam pulled his eyelid wide in mockery. "Big eyes like a swallow, huh? And that tattoo line—what are you, a chief?"
"It means agility. I've told you a million times."
"Agility my ass. How'bout in heatability." Rolina clenched her fist.
Ira popped back up with two fresh drinks. "Here—something to cool you down."
As the pair locked eyes, Fuzzy sniffed at the glasses, tongue ready to lap. But before he could, Rolina and Sam snatched them up and drank with satisfaction.
The little blue dog drooped, disappointed at losing his chance. Rolina tucked the gem back into her bag—dropping it into the same pocket where Fuzzy lay curled.