There are a couple of places in town where I hang out; one of them is an antique store. Melissa cleans out houses, attends auctions, and basically dredges up cool stuff wherever she can find it. It was in her store that I found the oryx horn that is an integral part of my spear.

So today we're looking through some things: there's a really cute sewing box I've selected. There are the obligatory thread, bobbins and buttons, and at the very bottom is a small, flat, rectangular box. I examine it: on its lid it says "Asthamdor" and inside is a cigarette-like thing and two long matches.

I am flummoxed. Ashtma + cigarettes is BAD. No doubt people figured this out a long time ago. I whip out my Blackberry and google "Asthmador" And found this:


[link]

I can barely read this entry to her, it's so well written and so damned funny.

Further research revealed that the OTHER ingredient in Asthmador is JIMSON WEED. They did a CSI episode about jimson weed. Jimson weed is BAD.

After reading my findings out loud, I look up at Melissa and say, "Well, my friend, what you've got there is a little tin of badness."