"That's the one. He's a friend of mine, so when I found him hurt I was about ready to turn this coyote into a rug. Which...probably wouldn't be the best idea." Ben scratches the back of his neck, embarrassed. "I'll leave that kind of thing to your people. Messing with spirits is dangerous. I don't trust them. Cricket said he only told the coyote he wanted to sit down. Figure you've got a similar story."

Ben isn't exactly normal, by human standards, but the kind of thing he eats is. He asks the server for a sandwich and some wine to drink, then returns to conversation as he waits for the meal to arrive.

"I think he will be. Now, how we'll fix this I have no idea - whether we have to let it wear off on its own like last Halloween or whether we have to convince this stranger to take it away. I was lucky enough not to bump into him, but a lot of people weren't. The Plaza was a mess when I came for my usual visit."