One afternoon, Mogey encountered Smush in the upstairs hallway just as his pal emerged from the lavatory, draped in towels and wearing a contented expression.
"Ah!" said Smush. "There's nothing like a bath to start the day off right."
"It's 1:30!" Mogey exclaimed. "Isn't that a bit early for talk of baths and starting days?"
"I just feel so invigorated!"
"Oh, I hear you. The way Miguel scrubs your toesies leaves one feeling ready to take on the world."
Smush considered this statement for a long and silent moment. "Miguel?" he queried at last.
"Of course," Mogey said, noticing Smush's confusion. "Don't tell me you've never bothered to learn our bathtub sprite's name? That's a bad look, Smushmeister. He cleans your feet and you don't even honor his moniker?"
"Bathtub sprite?" Smush sputtered. "What in the world are you on about? We don't have any bathtub sprite. That tub cleans your feet automatically... doesn't it?"
Mogey glanced over Smush's shoulder and into the bathroom, where a tiny, silver-scaled man with webbed fingers was peeking over the side of the clawfoot tub. He looked sadder than a schoolboy who has just learned that the dark chocoate-covered peanut he popped into his mouth was in fact a black olive.
"I've never been so insulted in my LIFE!" shouted Miguel, and he dove down the tub drain with an almighty splash.
"Now you've done it," Mogey said. "The only way Miguel is going to wash our toes now is if you buy him some rubies. Or some beans."
"Well, which one is it?" Smush asked.
"I can't remember. I know bathtub sprites like one or the other."
"Goooo with rubiessssss," echoed Miguel's voice through the pipes.
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