All three of them were wearing silver around their necks and enough DOPS holy water on their clothes to make them feel like they’d run through lawn sprinklers on a sunny day. But this wasn’t a sunny day. It was an underground day, possibly the last day the world would exist, he reminded himself.

“Everyone know what to do?” he said.

“Yes,” said Bayliss.

“Affirmative, sir,” said Sally, saluting him. Coop gave her one second of a half smile.

“Okay. Fan out and let’s put up the party decorations.”

Coop knelt and started taking things out of his bag.

“Do you really think this is going to work?” said Bayliss.

“It doesn’t seem like one of your more top-of-the-line plans,” said Sally.

Coop handed gear around. “It only has to work long enough to get everyone out of here alive,” he said.

“You’re an inspiration. Will you be my life coach?” said Sally.

The three of them fanned out, laying down surprises for their guests. A few Jinx Town denizens watched the odd mortals work. Then a few more. By eight, they’d attracted a curious crowd of assorted creatures and ghouls.

Then the guests arrived, one by one. Mr. Lemmy and his crew were first. The short man stood in the center as they stepped off the escalator like a pack of wolves in suits. Baker had already been wearing garlic around his neck when they’d arrived, and he was carrying a big bag of the stuff with him. By the time they made it up to the dark floor, the whole crew of six were wearing garlands, even Mr. Lemmy. Morty was with them, gagged and with his hands held together with zip ties. He gave Coop a little wave. Coop nodded back.

Steve and the Caleximus congregation were next. Their black boar, the size of a small horse with a double set of tusks and red coal eyes, wouldn’t fit on the escalator, so they came out of an elevator by the fountain. Jerry was holding Giselle’s arm, looking as guilty as a kid shoplifting his first Hustler. As the group came over to Coop and the mobsters, there came a little laughter and murmurs from the crowd.

“Hiya, Coop,” said Giselle. She had gauze and tape sloppily wrapped around her head. “I got bonked a little. I can’t do my mind thing right now. Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. Everything is going to be fine,” he said, hoping it wasn’t a lie.

“What the hell is this?” said Steve, holding the boar by an enormous chain and collar. “Who are these people?” he said, pointing to Mr. Lemmy’s gang.

Coop held up a finger. “I’ll answer that question in one minute,” he said.