Left-John Mocker screamed.
“John?! Reggie?!” I shouted, shoving my chair back and rising to my feet, one hand pointing over Seljor Thu's shoulder to the corner where Left-John Mocker stood. The big gambler had dropped my buffalo dog. He clutched at his left eye with both hands; wisps of smoke drifted from between his fingers. Reggie tumbled to the floor, bleating in panic. He bolted to me for safety. I scooped him up with relief.
Seljor Thu caught my concern for my pet in my mind. He turned to look at John, only for an instant. It was all the time I needed.
I spun the inner table one hundred eighty degrees. My cards and token now lay in front of Seljor Thu, and his rested before me. Seljor Thu turned back to regard me silently. I tried my best to look apologetic.
“Sorry, John. I must have accidentally activated the surveillance jammer in my ring.” I took my seat and turned the cards face up on the inner table. I looked over to the Taurian. “Shall we finish our game? All that's left is for you to reveal your hand."
Seljor Thu laughed. “This may be my hand, now, but they are not my cards. I have underestimated you again, Conroy."
I shrugged. “This is Matter. Beyond the rules of the game, the game has no rules."
“Just so,” he said. “I will have my staff draw up a new set of contracts. The entertainment and education I've received tonight more than justifies the added cost. As for the introductions, I have some appointments to attend in the next few days, and then if it pleases you, we can meet again to compare schedules and arrange those meetings."
I bowed my head. “Thank you. I'm sure you'll be happy with the results of our arrangement. It's a pleasure to deal with a professional who knows how to accept a loss."
“Oh, I haven't lost, Conroy. Today, perhaps, but this is just one battle. We will play again, some day, and I will be better prepared for your tricks.” He stood, still smiling, and walked away, summoning his staff with a curt gesture. Papers flurried, and moments later the Taurians, their lawyers, and my lawyers had all left the Golden Turtle Palace. I let out a sigh and hugged Reggie close.
John pushed away from the wall. He scowled at me and rubbed his eye.
“Does it hurt much?” I asked."
“Nyah,” he said. “Just stings a bit. Mostly it just scared the hell out of me. Worth it though, to see you surprise a telepath.” He reached for Seljor Thu's cards and turned them over. “He lost,” he said. “How did you know? Between the stacked deck and the hypnotic tricks you pulled, and with neither of you pulling from the dummy hand, you had a fair chance of winning against another player by calling plasma. What made you spin the table like that?
“I didn't think Plan B was going to work, and that was the best Plan C I could come up with on the spot. You said he was a pro, and he kept boasting about being the better player. I just took him at his word.” I glanced down at the winning hand I'd acquired from Seljor Thu. “Looks like he was right.” I sighed again. Thirty introductions to alien corporate leaders. I'd just overextended my company by an order of magnitude and more. Betsy was going to kill me.
THE END
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The Matter at Hand [An Amazing Conroy Story] Page 3