“Oh, fuck me.” Eric groaned and let his head hung.

He took his eyes off Altera for one second, and what did she do? She decided to gamble. Ragna would kill her if she found out. Altera’s disorder could throw off any gambit they could try out and rack up a debt. And who knew how the thrill could mess with her brain?

“For those who have graced the halls of Heorot for the first time, listen to our categorical imperative.” Her right hand, she pressed against her chest, and her left arm, she stretched to the roof. As her solemn voice echoed over the hall, she curled her fingers as if holding the world in her hands. Upon the audience, she gazed like a judge announcing the final verdict. “In Heorot, death awaits everyone without regard for status or income. Every one of you. Remember that you’ll die. So, pluck the day to the fullest. And we’ll grant you the opportunity. If death does see you all as equal, then pleasure will be granted to you in the same measure. Here in Heorot, we don’t tolerate any discrimination. Everyone shall have the chance to taste the nectar of life, and so, we’ve created the currency of pleasure and equality: the Honey.”

Eric looked at the blue “1500” flashing on Altera’s card, and whispers traveled through the audience.

Whether it was alcohol, contraband, sex, gambling, or other means to fall into decadence: only Honey allowed one to enjoy the experience. One couldn’t earn Honey through any means but establishments in Heorot like the gambling dens. As such, Wert didn’t matter for pleasure. Only those with less than 500 Honey in their account could buy Honey with Wert. But 500 Honey allowed one to play five poker games, at best. It only functioned as a springboard. And Altera got her Honey from Ragna and him. Even one round could set her back.

Eric clicked his fingernails.

As he had feared, Altera had miscalculated. The audience hadn’t gathered around the table for the sake of winning because none of them intended to play. As their visages showed it for the world to see, they wished to indulge in the purest form of decadence: to see a man put everything on the line against all odds and lose. They desired the corruption of hope into despair. This table might have the highest gains, but in turn, it possessed the greatest risks. And on average, the house would win long-term. That rule dominated any casino. For Blackjack, it was no different.

Eric’s eyes caught Altera’s. She radiated her usual determination. Even if she had realized her mistake, she wouldn’t back off or grant them that satisfaction. If the game was designed for her to lose, she would fight against it and carve her path towards victory. For all her talk about reason and logic, Altera was a stubborn idiot who didn’t let something like reality deter her from her path.

Eric’s eyelids dropped. He clenched his fist as a surge started to boil the blood inside him.

As much as he admired and envied her, he hated this attitude of hers. She ignored facts for whatever her delusion wished to tell her. And what was he to her?

The dealer brushed with her finger over a row of chips and handed them over to Altera.

The grins of the audience widened from one ear to the other like dolphins that watched animals drowning in the sea, knowing full well that it was in its power to save the victim or torment them. For them, her misjudgment was the first drop of blood flowing from the victim’s wounds. It brought them on her trail like a predator on the verge of an assault.

On her side, the dealer put a card-face down next to a King, and Altera got a Two and a Nine.

“I can double my bet, now, can I?” Altera asked.

Eric narrowed his eyes.

What was she doing? She didn’t have that money.

The dealer grinned. “It’s the first round, and your total’s between Nine and Eleven, so yes. And don’t worry. Even if you lose, a woman with your face will find ways to pay off her debts.”

“Then, I wish to double down.”

The dealer nodded and revealed Altera’s next card: An Ace. She turned her card around to show a Five, and Eric sighed in relief.

That was lucky. As long as the dealer didn’t get an Eight and a Five, Altera would win the round.

The dealer drew a card from the deck and showed a Seven, while the next one was a Three. “Congratulations.”

Not losing her grin, the dealer started the next round. And Altera bet all three thousand Honey. On her side were a facedown card and a Nine. On Altera’s a Seven and an Eight. The audience whispered among each other, questioning whether Altera was putting the pleasure of thrill over reason.

If only. Eric’s body became stiff. He held his breath as he observed Altera’s actions.

It might be all a coincidence, but her mania might influence her actions. If she continued with these rash decisions, she would lose.

“Another,” Altera said and got a Four. She looked at her card and stopped the count.

The dealer revealed a Six on her side and drew an Ace. A Two followed. As she had shot over Seventeen, the dealer had lost the round again.

“All in, please.” Altera smiled.

Again? Eric’s eyes widened. This had to be her mania. He had to make her stop before she blew away their earnings.

The dealer didn’t react and dealt the cards: a hidden card and a Five for her; A Queen and an Ace for Altera. Altera had gotten a Blackjack and tripled her income.

Eric exhaled. Altera had been lucky, but this wouldn’t go on forever. He had to make her stop. If she wanted to prove herself, she didn’t have to. She had earned a good amount of Honey. He could take over from this point on.

But Altera wouldn’t stop. Round after round, she would continue and prove Eric wrong. From time to time, Altera would bet small amounts and lose. But whenever she went all in, she won. Not once did she draw over Twenty-one. Even when the dealer shuffled the deck mid-game, Altera did not lose.

The audience could only watch as their chance of witnessing despair slipped away from their fingers. Some let their frustration out, shouting at Altera how she had to cheat, but the majority started to cheer.

They applauded her victories and awaited her success. Logic dictated that the casino would always win. But in front of their eyes, Altera proved the world itself wrong. She was winning. And the dealer continued to challenge her. She could stop at any time, but in her desire to beat her, to prove that she couldn’t defeat the system, she let Altera play.

֎

“You’ve won.” The dealer fell into her seat. Sweat glued her vest against the back. She stared at the ceiling, and her arms hung loose like heavy sacks. “There’s no Honey in the hive.”

The audience shouted in jubilation, and Eric’s heart seemed to drop to his stomach.

This game had to have aged him by ten years, at least.

Altera clapped her hands and smiled. She picked the plastic card from the table.

“Say, girl, how did you win? What was your trick?” The dealer looked at Altera. “Don’t worry. The owner will fire me anyway. So, I won’t tell.”

Altera lowered her eyelids and shook her head. “I can’t allow that. Let me speak to your manager. I’ll give everything back.”

The dealer chuckled. “Taking pity on me? You’re too pure for this world.” Her eyes narrowed to a sharp gaze. “Listen, kiddo. I lost because you won. And for that, I’ll have to bear the consequences. You think you can achieve anything without having to trample over others? This is reality.”

“No. I won’t accept this.” Altera’s crimson eyes flared like fire. “If this is reality, then I’ll reject it and light the path to a new world.”

“Only a fool would challenge the way the world works.” The dealer stood up from her seat and shrugged. “But then again, you managed to beat the house even though it should be impossible. So, say. How did you do this? What was your strategy?”

Altera tilted her head. “I just followed my gut instincts.”

She looked at the dealer with such earnest eyes that she burst into a fit of laughter and started to cry.

Was Altera telling the truth? Eric couldn’t tell. He was staring in at the table like everyone else, the new reality slowly dripping into his awareness.

“Your gut instincts. How ridiculous?” She wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. “Listen, well. I forbid you to return your earnings. This is your victory, and I refuse to tarnish it.”

Altera sighed. “If that’s your wish, then I’ll oblige.”

“It is.” The dealer crossed her arms. “That naivety of yours, I wonder how far it’ll bring you.”

“We’ll see.” Altera stood up from her chair. The audience divided like the Christian Sea and kneeled. Their eyes gleamed at the new goddess they had witnessed themselves to challenge fate. Even if it were just a card game, they all displayed faith in her ability carve whatever future she desired for the world. Altera probably had earned a few new followers.

Altera bowed her head. She walked past them, and Eric followed her.

As he caught up to her, he rubbed his eyes.

What the fuck had happened? He needed a drink. No matter how he spun it, Altera’s victory didn’t make sense. Did the universe bend over to her to prevent her from suffering the consequences of her mistakes? No. The trials had proven that the world didn’t hesitate to let them suffer. But then, what had happened?

“Eric.” Altera clutched her right arm. Her eyes looked down on the street, trying to avoid his. “About what happened in the tower…”

Eric raised his hand, and Altera jumped up. With a single movement, he cut off her words, and turned away from her, shaking his head.

He couldn’t face her. Not now. What could he even say? Should he fault Altera for having bipolar disorder? How pathetic would that be?

“I understand.” Altera’s words sounded broken. “If you want to talk to me, I’ll be at the church. If not, we’ll meet at the motel.”

Without looking at each other, the two parted ways.