There had been rumblings in the criminal underworld of a new game of the highest of stakes. The rewards were great, but the risks were even greater. It was a dice game. Not your typical dice game played all over the country in the crime-controlled cities, these were seedy backroom games with exclusive clientele and dangerous people participating. Many do not even know of these illicit games, however TheStranger always has one ear to the street.
 

Sometimes in the summertime, the pavement would become so hot it would burn the lobe and upper rim of his ear, as was evident by the scarring and mutliation surrounding his ear. These scars only added to the mystique of TheStranger, as he made his way down a dark alleyway, pausing only to light a cigarette with his gold zippo, his eyes shielded by the brim of his fedora hat.

TheStranger had no idea what type of spectacle he was about to witness. He only knew what the word on the streets was, and it sounded so exciting that TheStranger had decided he needed to see this for himself. It sounded too outlandish to be true. Yet he was determined to take the long series of alleyways to the supposed location to see for himself.
 

A gust of wind blew through the alleyway. Newspapers rustled about in the air, much like doves. The visual gave TheStranger a sense of peace, even if only for a moment. The alleyways gave TheStranger a sense of calm. A labyrinth of sorts, except instead of feeling lost, TheStranger felt solace and peace.

But the gust of wind was also chilling, a reminder of the cold world in which they lived and operated. The wind had been relentless the past two days, most likely as result of the tropical storm that had passed along the coastline earlier that week. Towns had been forced to seal their windows with planks of wood in the coastal towns. Anything to keep the vengeful ocean from flooding their homes. But the water leaked through the planks of wood, leaving many families without homes. TheStranger had read about this in the newspaper. TheStranger was an avid reader.

But aside from the wind the rain had been tolerable. TheStranger had no problems walking in the rain. The rain puddle gave his footsteps an echoey emphasis as he trodded through his network of alleyways in his fine imported Italian shores. He was closely arriving at his destination. He could feel the adrenaline flooding his veins much like those poor coastal towns that had been flooded in the tropical storms. What was he to expect? What was behind the heavily guarded door of the seedy building? He nodded to the doormen who immediately let TheStranger enter. He walked inside and took a look around. Now things were coming together. He knew the nature of the game being placed.

Ah, a dice game, eh?" he said.

TO BE CONTINUED 

GordonGopher sat in a local speakeasy when he overheard the men behind him talking. They
spoke of a most dangerous kind of gamble that was about to head down in the dark alleys of an underdeveloped part of town. They spoke in hushed tones about how it was a game of life and death and thus provided the greatest rush that a gambler can possible experience. It promised great riches, at an even greater risk.

GordonGopher sat at his table thinking over this ordeal. He took a sip of his coffee. The coffee was straight and without any unnecessary additions such as milk or sugar, and of a strong brew, just as he liked it. Out of all the types of coffee the Arabica bean was probably his favourite with its rich aromas and delicate taste. The coffee was perfect. The dark brew reminded him of the weather outside, which was equally dark and wet, as he liked it.

To spice up his bland coffee, GordonGopher covertly took the pocket-flask from his coat and poured a swig of whiskey in it, hoping the staff didn't notice (he could not afford the fancy kind of whiskey the speakeasy sells). He would certainly need this if he ever was to gather the courage to stop by the twisted gamble. He finished his coffee, put on his coat, and left the speakeasy, leaving a cloud of cigar smoke behind him.

As he approached the alley where the daredevils played their game of dice he could not help but notice TheStranger standing in front of its entrance no doubt pondering something. Gordon particularly noticed the exquisite shoes that TheStranger was wearing, which had been polished to glint radiantly like the sun (which was currently not visible and obscured by grey clouds). No doubt the reason that TheStranger could afford such shoes and such an excellent polish was because of the financially lucrative "side hustle" he was rumored to have.

As GordonGopher's started to think of the possibilities that such a life offered he forgot about the depraved gamble altogether, no matter how enticing it must have seemed before. He took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it with his own inexpensive and unimpressive lighter, and took a drag before exhaling loudly.

GordonGopher murmured to himself "That settles it, I must find a way into this business."