"Next," said a deep, rumbling voice. Lila turned back to the counter and moved forward, setting her suitcase down in the baggage recess. The troll behind the counter was typical for his race--a big, gray-green creature with a sloping forehead, big ears, beady eyes and large, pointed teeth sticking out in different directions from his mouth.

"Passport," he rumbled, holding out a hand the size of Lila's head.

"Sure, here you go," she said, digging the passport out of her purse and handing it to him.

He opened the little book and thumbed through a few of the pages. "Youse human lady?" he asked, squinting at her.

"Yes."

"Gots ta pay extra tunnel toll, den" he said.

"What? An extra toll? Since when?"

"Since always."

"I never heard of this before."

"Youse ever ride troll tunnel before?" he asked, leaning forward on the counter, causing the wood to creak loudly in protest.

"Well, no," she admitted. Lila had heard of unusual requirements pertaining to troll tunnel travel, but had never needed their services before now.

"Well, den," he said, straightening up and folding massive arms across his huge chest. "Humans gots ta pay extra toll to ride tunnel."

"This is ridiculous," Lila said, but knew that she was running out of precious time. "Who says humans gots--I mean, 'have' to pay an extra toll?"

"Sign says." The troll hooked a thumb over his right shoulder, indicating a sign hung on the wall behind him. It read: 'All humans gots ta pay extra toll'.

"What, just 'humans'?" she asked.

"Dat's right. Youse gots ta pay extra, or no ride."