"I can't stay long, dear, the egg minder is watching the eggs to make sure that they're at the right temperature, but I don't like trusting those things for longer than necessary. Never as sensitive as a mother's underbelly, that's what I say, no matter what the advertising says."

Celia smiled at the large Komodo dragon wearing a lace dress and a mob cap and decided not to tell her that the original egg minder was invented for people who *ate* eggs, not ones who sat on them. On the other hand, she was perfectly sure that the Komodo dragon would also eat eggs--other people's eggs--should the occasion arise. "that's fine, dear. I know that you're busy, I just wanted to get your opinion on this bed of sand that I've been offered. The seller claims that it's something special, that the reptilians will go crazy for it, but I'm not sure."

Komodo eased forward in her chair. "A new bed of sand? Something special? Dear, I love the volcanic black sand bed I have at home, but a little redecorating wouldn't go amiss, and something special would certainly--"


Inspiration: Randomly googling "minder" (from my timer).
Story potential: High.
Notes: And it...does something...and Celia ends up in charge of a brood of sentient baby Komodo dragons. Hee! Possibly related to some pawn shop idea I had a while ago. I think.

The trick to it was not dying. Once you got past that, it was easy. It was a hell of a trick, though, and just because he'd managed it--once--didn't mean this time would be any easier. He looked back over his shoulder and saw the bullyboys approaching warily, their eyes on the singularity. On the other hand, they didn't look like they'd be much impressed by any trick he could pull, and he doubted they'd just let him go. So--it was the long dive through godonlyknewwhat. Again. He tucked his wallet away inside his pocket and buttoned it shut, quickly checked to make sure he had no loose bits or bobs, took a deep breath, and jumped in, feeling his testicles retract as soon as they realized what he was doing.

Inspiration: I was--thinking of tricks to doing stuff?
Story Potential: High.
Notes: Though I don't know what's going on here. I just love the first line. And hell of a title, there.