Another character!
Step one was finding a partner, preferably one who was what we in my profession call a ‘shield.’ Shields need to have several virtues, like: large, tough, and gullible. Some would add ‘dumb,’ but you should avoid the truly stupid ones. When a shield dies, the person using him as one typically dies a few moments later. No, you definitely want one smart enough to stay alive.
But you don’t want a sage, either. Fortunately, I knew just the guy for the job… “Hey, Bub!” I said cheerfully as I poked my head into the stables behind the Oasis. “Got a job for ya.”
Bub looked down at me. Not because he didn’t like me, but because he’s two yards tall and pretty damn wide. His face furrowed. “You pay me for the last one, Zed?” he rumbled. I had, but I didn’t remind him of that. Bub would remember in a moment, and he hated it when humans showed off their mental agility.
Ah, the advantages of being a grifter who’s actually invested in the community.
Helps smooth down some of those sharp, antisocial edges that can crop up from time to time too.