The shopkeeper returned to the inn and glanced at the tardy assistant. He slapped the assistant's head, spinning him around 360 degrees. After seeing the drool marks on the assistant's face, he grumbled, "Are you the shopkeeper, or am I the shopkeeper?"
"I was out looking after the shop, and you ran to the back to nap."
"By God, I almost ran into trouble with a young lad just now. Luckily, I cleverly resolved it. Otherwise, if he were to inform people in the Valley, would we be able to handle the repercussions? Have you forgotten we're redeeming ourselves?"
The assistant said sheepishly, "Oh, it's fine. They're big shots. What grudges do big shots have against small fries like us? Can't they tell it's usually pretty quiet here? They won't bother us, otherwise, they wouldn't be big shots."
The shopkeeper nearly slapped the assistant again. As the assistant pulled back, he spat, "Oh, damn, I really feel like ripping off your skull. The way you talk irritates the hell out of me!"
