Tomilcar said, following Lotus out the door. He stopped her in front of the Kash Bowl, by linking his arm through hers and drawing her back into the tavern. "Now, now, you do excellent work. Bad Tomi, bad, bad! ... it was the evil clown speaking. He possessed me!! Look, I have presents for you to show you how much I appreciate all you tried to do."

Tomi smiled and waved his hand toward Lotus's former table. There (through the magic of interactivity) a treasure trove of gifts awaited the Kash Bowl's resident makeup artist.

"See? I brought you flowers and perfume and champagne — Dom Perignon, of course — and diamonds and gold and ... see? even a balloon lion all your own. And I promise I will never, ever, ever say anything bad about your handiwork again. I'll even wear red for you! Only don't go away and leave us alone in the clutches of Caile and Ishtar!!!"