"When baths start actually washing the dirt away instead of having you wallow in it, I'll admit it. But since that's never going to be the case, you might just have to give this one up, man." Even though he knows telling Z to give up at anything is like preaching to a brick wall. It's a trait that's gotten them out of some ugly situations on missions, although Stacy hasn't sent Howard on a mission in nearly two years, now. No complaints here.

"I didn't say anything to Alan," he says defensively. "Besides, Birdbrain knows not to take anything I say seriously." Howard's called Alan all sorts of pejorative nicknames throughout the decade, and the bird's never seemed to take it personally. "Maybe he's just getting old and cranky."