Author's Note: Okay, I'm going to try and make this short and sweet. Legal crap regarding characters. Note in 14 pt. Percival, chapter in 14 pt. Pegasus. One real mod in this chapter, One ref that's split into several parts starts in this chapter.

"Go right on in, Mr. Haboku cough1' That would be the receptionist; a lovely blue-haired young woman by the name of Hyatt. She was wearing white gloves, and Maru was startled to see dark red stains on the gloves. 'Nah... it couldn't be that.' He stepped into the Landlord's office a bit unsettled.

"So... you've finally arrived."

"Yes, Ilpalazzo-sama2. I'm so glad you were able to find the time to assist me so quickly." 'It's been over a month and a half, you prig!'

Ilpalazzo sat at a large wooden desk, in a chair that looked suspiciously like a throne. 'I wouldn't be surprised if it was, with his raging ego.' Lord Il, as he liked to be called, had taken over the complex when the previous landlord had died, claiming quite often that "These apartments are corrupt!" The other odd thing about the office was a rope dangling from the ceiling within easy reach of the throne/chair. "Yes, well... I hate to keep people waiting for longer than is necessary," Ilpalazzo said with a smile.

'Pompous ass,' Maru thought, returning the smile.

"Now, what was it you wanted to see me about, Maru?" Maru noted the lack of additional chairs in the office; Ilpalazzo was sitting in the only one. 'Yes, well for quite a while my AC has been shot. Since you've made it clear you want to know about all necessary maintenance, I figured you could do something about it." Il smiled broadly, the kind of smiled an infant could see through. "I'm glad you came to me, Maru. As you know, the super is on vacation, but I happen to know of someone who would be perfect for the job." He grabbed a pen and paper, scribbled something down, and handed it to Maru.

"Thomas A. Anderson." Maru glanced at the paper.

"Yes, He's one of the best repairmen in the area. Some folks call him 'The One'." Maru grimaced, as there wasn't even a phone number on the paper. Just the name. "Arigatou3, Ilpalazzo-sama. You've been VERY helpful," Maru said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The inflection was not lost on Lord Il, whose eyes narrowed. He reached up and tugged on the rope, and a trapdoor opened in the floor... three feet from where Maru was standing. Maru lifted an eyebrow, and walked out. "Hmm... Should have figured for that. Maybe if I got a chair and sat it on the door..." Ilpalazzo trailed off, and Maru stalked off to his apartment, feeling rather grumpy.

"So? How'd it go?" Maru grumbled and sat on the couch. "That well, eh?" "Ilpalazzo is his usual self-absorbed self All he gave me was the name of someone who can supposedly fix my AC. That's it. No number, no nothin'. What a jack-" Maru's stomach rumbled loudly, cutting off the rest of his rant. Naru chuckled, and he grinned sheepishly. "It occurs to me that I haven't eaten yet today. Come on. Let's go get some lunch." Maru stood up and walked to the door. "Maru, wait! Shouldn't you start trying to find this guy?" Maru shrugged. "Later. Come on. You're driving."

The two ran into Jenny and Joy in the elevator4. Jenny looked rather surprised to see the two of them together, and Maru guessed what she was thinking. "No, Jenny, we aren't back together. She lost a bet, and is now my slave for a month." Jenny blushed. "I-I wasn't thinking that, Maru. I was wondering where you two were-" Maru lifted a hand, cutting her off, then kissed her on the forehead. "You can't fool me, dear. I learned how to read you when we were roommates."

1 The asterisks are to show that she's not saying "Cough" she's doing it. Should be obvious, but you never know.

2 -sama is a term of respect, meaning Lord/Lady... sometimes used as Darling, but I've only so far seen it used as such in Ranma

3 Arigatou of course means Thank you, but I'm sure anyone who was alive during the 80's already knows that.

4 Yes, Jenny, Joy, and Naru show up frequently. While they may not be the main characters, they are some of the main supporting cast. And the elevator will show up often as well.