"So, what happened next?" Smirked Monger as he stirred a pot on his stove. The three of them were in Monger's humble two room adobe. Penny watched from the corner, while Dove remained seated at the table.

"She essentially bugged me until she got to her post at the light house. Watched the ocean, I guess. Are the guards on a shift system?"

"Yeah, actually." The ladle clacked against the pot. "Think there's about seven of them. Cycle between the lighthouse, the sentry post, the town itself, and on break. Though one could say patrolling the town itself is like being on break." Monger lifts the ladle from the stew, blows on it, and takes a sip. "Delicious."

"Are you putting that back in?"

"Are you going to stop me?" Smugly grinned Monger.

The door opened. "Is it ready?"

Dove looked at 435. "What are you doing here?"

Monger approached the door and embraced the guard in a hug. "Welcome. Of course, it is. You bring the little rascal as well?"

She closed the door behind her, removed her visor, and placed it on the coat hanger, revealing her short brown hair and brown eyes. "Naw, he's staying at a friend's house. Just couldn't say no to the little tyke."

"Now, now, if you don't set boundaries, he's going to run all over you when he gets older."

"Maybe." 435 took her seat to Dove's left. "But let me spoil the boy a little longer, alright?"

"Fair enough." Monger brought the pot over, and finally noticed Dove's dumbfounded face. "What's the matter Dove?"

"She's the guard I had to buy off to get in here! What is she doing here!"

435 sighed and leaned back in her chair. "What happened to corruption etiquette Phil?"

"Don't know." Monger came behind Dove and smacked him on the back of his head. "Why don't you know to follow good corruption etiquette?"

"What the heck are you two talking about!"

Monger sighed and held his wrinkled face in his hand. "I'm truly sorry, ma'am. I can't believe I forgot to teach him proper corruption etiquette before he traveled inland. Shame on me."

"Surprised he didn't learn it himself." Admonished 435, as she placed her napkin into her collar. "It's basic etiquette after all."

"Fine. I'll bite." Groaned Dove. "What is this corruption etiquette?"

Monger took his own seat and looked at Dove with a look of pure disappointment. "It's simple. You never tell anyone that you engaged in it. That's it."

"Just don't talk about it?"

"Just don't talk about it."

"See, it's not that hard." Chimed in 435 as accepted a full bowl from Monger. Soon, all three had bowls full of red oily soup. "You just don't talk about it. It's like it never happened."

"Wait, Monger, you're not surprised that she was. Did you set me up?" Scowled Dove.

"Now, now, Dove. That would be in violation of basic corruption etiquette." Sipped Monger. "Don't you think, miss?"

"Oh, I most certainly agree, Phil."

"Oh, you bastards." Dove grabbed a spoonful of soup. "Actually, this is really good. What's it made of?"

"Crab and tomato base." The table sat in a chorus of slurps. "And a few clams."

"Very nice Phil. Props to the chef." Cheered 435.

"Why do you call him Phil?" Asked Dove.

"Because that's my name." Deadpanned Monger. "Phillip Manger. I use Fish Monger as a pseudonym since its similar to my own name."

"Really?"

"Yeah, that's actually his name." Affirmed 435. "But most of us call him Monger, or Dock worker, or Geezer. It's essentially what he does, anyways."

"Really? Isn't that a bit rude?"

"Calm down there, Dove, it's my choice to be an old geezer, and it's about time I got to be one." Laughed Monger. "Ain't no right of yours to tell me to be young again."

"Yeah, Dove, respect his right to be crotchety and old!" The two began laughing, and dripping soup down their chins. "Sorry, sorry, we're just having too much fun messing with you, kid."

"How much of that was you messing with me?"

"I don't know. How much do you think, Phil?"

"No clue, why don't you come back when my dementia wears off?"

"Fair enough." She took another sip. "It gone yet?"

"No, ma'am. Try again in ten seconds. Maybe then."

Dove rested his spoon on his cup, and his face in his hands. "How long are you guys going to keep this up?"

"Probably until we get tired of it." Admitted 435.

"Which is unlikely," added Monger. "So, buckle in, and enjoy your soup. You'll need it if you want to grow big and strong."

Penny really should not have been enjoying watching Dove being at the mercy of the two, but it was a nice change of pace. It was nice not worrying about having to do things or having to worry for their lives. She could get used to this.