Grug sat up, pushing off the massive Roc leg laying across his head. He stood, stretched, and put on his trusty pelt before stepping into the early spring morning. He reclined on his favorite rock chair with a cup of fresh mammoth milk, surveying his domains.

"So early, Grug. Why awake? Sun not eat Moon yet. " Mugberta stood beside him, resting her calloused, beefy hand on his shoulder comfortably. "Something wrong? Need more hunt?"

Grug sighed gustily, downing his cup of milk and setting the cup in his cup holder.

"No. Plenty of hunt, Mug, just sad. Lot of thing on Grug mind, lot of burden on head."

Grug looked up at her, and she smiled that hideously grotesque smile that always got his blood pumping.

"What Mug always say, Grug? Don't eat more hunt than belly size. Eat some now, eat rest later. Mugberta swear, Grug think too much about small stuff when Grug have big stuff need tending."

Grug looked out from his hillside cave, seeing all of nature's bounty spread before him. Antelope drank from the river, while thuds of wild rocs rebounded from the stone. Fish leapt from the water, scales flashing in the dawn light. The forest rustled in the light breeze, the river reeds and tall grass of the plains singing in quiet sussuration.

Mug smiled again.

"There Grug that pounded rock with Mug is, thought Mug would only see paper Grug. But it time for you to go Grug, have work only Grug do to do. Mug will be here when need. Love Grug."

(Shrill sound of roc alarm)

Grug looked out from his penthouse rock bed, over the mighty skyline of Big Rock City, the silly young folk called it some other name he can't remember. He stood, pulling on his pelt and tie with mindless efficiency.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Grug thanks Mug for advice. Grug do his best today, for you."

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[So Grug, what's next on the agenda? Another new market? A brush with competition?]

"Sorry Banou, not today. Grug want to spend few minutes talking about Mug."

Grug leaned back in his chair, eyes lost in thought. He mechanically chewed on what appeared to be an egg made out of rock.

"Mugberta first time running own business was just after Grug figured Roc-handling. Mug went out into Dark Forest, spent whole day rustling through leaves and lift up rocks. Grug not think much of it, too busy making UNGA cards. Anyway, Mug ask Grug come outside one day in cool-summer, show him things.

Turn out Mug working on stuff she call "dye" because she have to use fresh kill color bug to do it. Put in Big bucket made of branch and grass, and squish until liquid come out. Grug ask what we do with bug squeezins. Mug told Grug that we get enough squeezins, you use to change color of pelt wraps.

Grug say no way, Mug must have loose head since Grug uppercut."

Grug winced, rubbing the back of his head.

"Not best move for Grug health. She grab and twist Grug ear, so Grug thunk her on side with Roc stick. She roar like wounded Buffalo, and grab Grug leg and pull. Grug went tumbling, let Grug tell you. Mug pounce on Grug, hit him a couple times in head with own Roc stick. Grug say he not take that from Mug and knock her back on own back with double leg kick. Grug got up, knowing Grug had better run, come back later.

Well, that also mistake. She hit Grug on head with bucket when he turn back on her, broke, spilled all color bug squeezins all over Grug head and pelt wrap."

Grug picks at the wrap he is wearing, smiles brightly, exposing a mouth of huge, shiny canines.

"Mug a genius invent maker on own. Grug wear this one to remember such good idea, give Grug inspiration."

[She sounds like she was truly lovely, Grug.]

"Grug know so. This mouth-rock her idea too. Dip roc egg on granite stick into lava flow, let cool, and age for month. Great snack and chew thing. Crunchy, toasty, and funky."

The old fashioned desk phone rang in the corner of the room, and after a moment, Banou rose to pick it up. She nodded absently a few times, writing something on a piece of paper before hanging up.

[Apparently, we have to wrap here for today, the studio needs to renovate the entire room after the whole Roc business. Go figure. ]

[This has been Banou of Channel Big Rock, reporting live, interviewing the CEO of Bouldercorp, Grug Quicktalker. Signing off!]