Don't tell me the odds

 

He didn’t like to bet with money. Thought there are no real stakes in doing so. He didn’t like betting on sports. Thought there was no real impact upon the world.

But he did love gambling.

He put his cigarette out before walking into the International Commerce Centre. At the arrival lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, he was greeted by suspecting eyes. The looks he received where justified. Messy hair with a greasy texture, bags under the eyes from the sleepless nights, a scruffy face that was in dear need for a shave and a mustard stained t shirt covering a beer gut, visible through a half-zipped hoodie. The receptionist was a bit uneasy by the presence of the skinny average height man fast approaching the desk, but was to remain professional.

‘Good afternoon! How may I assist you, sir?’ the receptionist asked before the ashtray-like smell shocked her senses.

‘Hello! I have a meeting up on the 117^th with Mister G.’ he responded in a playful tone.

‘Allow me a few moments to verify with the main lobby. May I have your name?’

‘My name? Well, you can call me what you want, but for the meeting I am Mister T.’

‘May I have you full name please.’

‘It’s just Mister T. That’s how G wanted to do this meeting. They should know me upstairs.’

‘I see. I am awaiting confirmation. Please bear with me.’

‘There should also be a Mister D joining us. Is that son of a…’

‘Please refrain from finishing the sentence, sir.’ the receptionist cut him off with an authoritative tone.

‘Sorry. It’s a force of habit. Is he here?’

‘I cannot confirm or deny that information.’

‘Gotcha! Privacy policy and all that.’

‘I have just received confirmation from the main lobby.’

‘Perfect! I’ll show myself to the elevators.’

‘Sir! I am afraid I cannot let you access the elevators just yet. Please confirm with me the meeting password.’

‘Really? Didn’t you describe me to them? They should be able to verify it’s me from the camera above the desk. It’s really Mister T.’

‘They did confirm your identity, but I’m afraid Mister G insisted on the password be used. The same was required for Mister D who complied without any issues.’

‘So, he is here.’

‘Indeed. The orders are for both of you to arrive at the room at the same time and he is already waiting at the elevators.’

‘Fine! I’m a very tiny baby marshmallow in a pink tutu. Sprinkles!’

‘Thank you, sir.’ the receptionist said trying to refrain from laughter. ‘Please follow me right this way.’

They walked to the express elevators. In an armchair there was a gentleman dressed in a 3-piece burgundy suit paired with brown leather shoes, clean shaven and a fresh cut faux hawk.

‘You are late, but somehow it still surprises me!’ the gentleman said with a subtle sign of frustration.

‘It’s nice to see you too. Missed me?’

‘As a papercut in a jar of salt. Let’s get this over with.’

‘Gentlemen, please enter. Someone will escort you to the Mister G’s room after you arrive in the main lobby.’

‘Thank you for your assistance and I do apologize for my… him.’ the gentleman said while handing her a tip for the service.

The doors closed and the 50 seconds trip started.

‘Did you just give a 200 dollar tip? I didn’t know you were so generous.’

‘I am a guest in this classy establishment and I do have an image to maintain. You do owe me half of that tip.’

‘Why?’ he said puzzled ‘I have no gym chiseled image to keep like you do.’

‘You should try some exercise. Might even do wonders. The 100 bill is the apology you owed for that horrible stench. When was the last time you took a shower and washed your clothes?’

‘On Monday if you want to know.’

‘Today is Sunday.’ the gentleman said while trying to suppress a gag reflex.

The doors opened and a valet was waiting for them. They were escorted to another elevator to the 117^th floor and right inside the Ritz-Carlton suite. Inside, the sound of ambient music was coming from every corner and facing away from the windows there was a man sitting in the lotus pose with his eyes closed. The man looked in his 40s, had long white hair gathered in a bun, a white braided beard and dressed in a purple satin robe. The gentleman gave the valet a tip to exit the room.

‘Wazzup, G! Love the whole vibe you have here.’

‘Hello, Theo, Damian. How are both of you?’ said the man while opening his eyes.

‘You know how we are, G. Can we skip the pleasantries? I had business with a priest and corruption won’t happen on its own.’  said Damien annoyed.

‘Chill out, D. Relax a bit, enjoy the view.’

‘Oh, shut up, Theo, you poor excuse for an angel. I cannot understand how you can live with yourself.’ he said raising his voice.

‘Better than being an uptight demon that looks down on humans for no reason!’

‘At least I still have my wings!’

‘Don’t you dare you son of a…’

‘Boys!’ said G calmly, but authoritative and stopping Theo before he could jump at Damien’s throat. ‘This is a place without violence and I intent on keeping it that way.’

Both paused and a sense of fear rendered them mute. They felt like being in a minefield and one wrong move from either side would have destroyed them both.

‘Let’s get down to business then. Theo, you won this time and as agreed, you will receive half the wager and the other half donated to the respective party. Damien, you tried your best, but as agreed you have to hold up your side of the bargain for the next 7 years.’

‘I always uphold my deals, G. Now, if we are done here, I will be on my way.’

‘Don’t let the door hit you on your way out.’ Theo said mockingly while rolling his eyes.

‘There is one more thing before you leave.’ said G as Damien put his hand on the door handle. ‘I have another wager to propose.’

‘I am sorry, but I am not interested. Good day!’

‘You’re scared you’re going to lose to me again? You chicken! Cluck, cluck, cluck.’

‘Really mature of you. I am not afraid of anything. At the moment, I have much more important matters to attend to.’

‘If you’re not afraid, how about we make it for my total?’

Damien stopped, turned around and for the first time in whole of existence he had a puzzled look on his face.

‘You’re either overconfident, stupid or mad and I don’t know which one to pick.’

‘A little bit of all four. It’s easier to play without a full deck. What do you say? If you win, you get all of it.’

‘But what if you win? What do you get?’

‘He gets his wings back.’ interrupted G.

The entire suite went dead silent. The two exchanged glances, switching from looking at each other to looking at G as if they were communicating telepathically.

‘This might be profoundly serious. Is this how you are deciding the apocalypse?’ enquired Damien, the first to break the silence.

‘My dear, no. The date of the apocalypse has been set in stone before either of you even came into existence.’

‘I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I agree with Damien. What’s the wager?’

‘It’s simple! A certain someone has to pass her exams and find her purpose in life.’ calmly explained G.

‘Are you serious? That is just like giving him his wings for free.’ said Damien protesting.

‘There is one vital condition. You can only use subtlety in the way you operate, and you can only interact with her and only her.’

‘I understand. I’m sorry, Theo, but you’re going to lose this time. I always was the master of subtlety, ever since the apple.’

‘Don’t count you chickens so soon. Count me in, G.’

‘I accept as well.’

‘It’s settled then! I declare the wager active and in full effect.’

‘Cool, cool, cool. I can hardly wait for my wings to be back. Who is the party involved?’

‘I think you’re both familiar with her. A certain human called Andy.’

As soon as the name was revealed, the suite went silent once more.

‘I was right, this is serious and explains why you would give him his wings back.’

‘Are you kidding me? Another Andy wager? After the last one, 2022 almost didn’t happen and you had to intervene.’

‘I am afraid to say it, but I agree with Theo. This is a little dangerous.’

‘This is why I included the condition. It’s an extra precaution.’

‘But I can’t do subtle.’ said Theo concerned. ‘She still remembers me.’

‘I still don’t understand why you told her that you identified as a toaster. Were you trying to be funny?’

‘We can’t all shapeshift like you, D. I said that because of the wager I won in 1983, the one that helped Alan MacMasters invent the first electric toaster.’

‘You should have given him more than just 3 months of good karma from your winnings if you intend to glorify your contribution.’

‘At least I give good karma, instead of taking it like you do.’

‘Well, I am a demon and I see it as being generous with bad karma.’

‘Boys, I do appreciate the company, but I prefer to watch my shows alone. Off you go and try to enjoy a bit of Hong Kong before starting your work.’

The two left the suite and headed back to the express elevators. They were once again together in the small space on the elevator.

‘Why does he always insist on us traveling to Hong Kong? There are much more classier places for him than this hotel.’

‘He likes the view, Damien.’

‘It is breathtaking.’

‘True.’

Theo and Damien parted ways, the angel towards the bus station on foot and the demon towards the highway in a brand-new sports car.

He liked to bet with karma. The stakes are much higher. He liked to bet on the potential of human beings. The impact was greater.

Theo loved to gamble.