Mudges

Twenty minutes later, the Mudges, both Plaquemines Parish employees, and the coroner rushed to examine the remains -- a decayed skull and a pile of cracked ribs -- heaped on a soaked pair of men's black dress pants.

In Louisiana, 2008

Then the Mudges learned that Mr. LaFrance's wife, Mildred, had also been buried in the same plot, in a different coffin.

In Louisiana, 2008

The Mudges vanished, to be replaced by three trees.

The Moment Of The Magician Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1984

"Nice try," said a couple of sarcastic Mudges from nearby.

The Moment Of The Magician Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1984

"Yes, but I'm a better you," insisted a pair of Mudges off to the right.

The Moment Of The Magician Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1984

"Oi, you couldn't fool your own real parents," declared a quartet of Mudges from the right flank.

The Moment Of The Magician Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1984

He gestured at the circle of Mudges enclosing their campsite.

The Moment Of The Magician Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1984

The three new Jon-Toms occupied the same locations as three now-vanished Mudges.

The Moment Of The Magician Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1984

"Neither of you is loony," said * the two Mudges directly in front of them.

The Moment Of The Magician Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1984

As Jon-Tom blinked, or thought he blinked, the Mudges disappeared.

The Moment Of The Magician Foster, Alan Dean, 1946- 1984