krahnos told me that the next page will be delayed! So how about I let you guys have a snippet of fiction from an upcoming project?

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The club wasn't very crowded on a Thursday night. The dance floor was empty and there were only a few clusters of people chatting at the bar, but what made Regis sigh was the tiger slumped over on one of the tables. "Kevin, how much have you had to drink this time?" His Texan accent was thicker than usual thanks to it being close to his bedtime.

The tiger lifted his head up slowly, as if afraid it might fall off his shoulders. "What? Can't hear ya over th' music."

The zebra shook his head. "That's what I thought." Kevin's words were terribly slurred, and that meant he was on the verge of passing out. There was also no music being played at the moment, since it was almost closing time. "Well, I can't let you drive herself home, so I'm gonna call you a cab."

No answer. Kevin was already out cold. Jesus, thought the zebra. He'd only met the tiger a month ago but Kevin wasn't a problem customer. He just passed out only a couple of times, and usually was with friends. Tonight seemed to be the exception. OK, I'll just look at his wallet for an address and drive him home.

However, this plan of the zebra's had one flaw: Kevin didn't have a wallet on his person. What the Hell? thought Regis, blinking once and patting down the tiger's pockets once more. Where's his wallet? I know he pulled it out to show me his ID when he came in. Or did he? Regis couldn't remember. Maybe he let the tiger slide by, since he'd seen him dozens of times at the club. Bad me, no cookie.

"Hee," came the brief response from Kevin.

Regis looked at the tiger, annoyed. "What's so funny?"

"Tickles."

"Well, that's just great, Kev. You think you can tell me where you live?"

Kevin's response was so slow Regis thought the tiger had fallen asleep. "Nnnnope. Don' remember. Sorry."

Wonderful, thought Regis. Just fuckin' wonderful. He shook his head, and was a bit thankful Kevin and him were somewhat friends after meeting each other a few months ago. "Guess you're gonna stay the night with me, bud."

"Cool," came the slurred reply, and Kevin then tried to sit up. "Lesh go."

Did he just say "lesh"? thought Regis. I thought that only happened in the funny books. "Not just yet, Kev. You sit tight while I finish up some stuff."

"I can help. I'm really good at cleanin' up." Kevin tried to stand, but Regis placed his hands on the tiger's broad shoulders, forcing him to sit back down.

"You sit tight, Kev. I won't take long." He kept his grip on Kevin's shoulders until the tiger relaxed, then released him.

"Yer strong, Reeg."

"You ain't too weak yourself, Kev."

"Tall too." Regis was well over seven feet tall, almost a foot taller than Kevin to be exact. The zebra always got the sense Kevin disliked that fact, but the tiger still befriended him regardless. It wasn't like Regis wanted to be that tall, but God must have decided one day that He wanted an epically-sized zebra. Thus came Regis.

"I'll be back, Kev. You stay there, all right?"

"'Kay."

Regis nonetheless kept an eye on Kevin while he did his closing duties quickly, then asked the manager if he could leave, explaining the situation to him.

"Kevin really does need a designated driver," the manager remarked.

"Guess Ah can be it for tonight if you don't mind," Regis smiled.

The manager waved a hand. "Yeah, sure. It's a quiet night, but you make sure Kevin knows he better have cab fare next time this happens."

"Yes sir, I will," Regis said. "And thanks."

"Don't mention it, just make sure the big puffball doesn't hurt himself getting home."

Kevin was still sitting when Regis approached him. "C'mon, big guy. Let's get you home," Regis said as he tried to help the tiger stand up. He had to do most of the work, draping the tiger's arm across his shoulders and lifting him up. "Am I gonna have to carry you up to the car?"

Kevin's snoring was all the answer the zebra needed. He was out cold again.

You owe me, Kev, thought Regis as he lifted Kevin up into his arms and carried him out of the club.