Chapter 3 - The Cameras Bowed
Mason slowly raised both hands toward the cameras.
"I found a ring. That's legal. Probably."
The cameras kept staring.
Then every lens tilted downward.
Like a bow.
Mason's new meridian pulsed.
For half a second, he saw something impossible behind the casino's gold windows.
Threads.
Millions of them.
Silver lines flowing from gamblers, employees, tourists, taxi drivers, even people walking past without entering.
All those threads fed into a glowing wheel hidden somewhere beneath the building.
[HOST HAS DETECTED A FATE WELL.]
[WARNING: UNLICENSED OBSERVATION MAY ATTRACT HOUSE ENFORCERS.]
"Maybe mention that before the dramatic camera thing."
A security door opened.
Blake Mercer walked out with two guards.
He looked annoyed until he saw the token in Mason's hand.
Then he stopped.
"Where did you get that?"
Mason closed his fingers around it.
"Employee appreciation program."
Blake's face hardened.
"Give it to me."
The Ledger flashed.
[HOSTILE CLAIM DETECTED.]
[OPTION A: SURRENDER ITEM. SURVIVAL CHANCE: 92%.]
[OPTION B: REFUSE. SURVIVAL CHANCE: 61%. REWARD UNKNOWN.]
Mason had spent most of his life picking the safe option.
Safe jobs.
Cheap meals.
Apologies he did not owe.
He smiled at Blake.
"No."
The black token became hot in his palm.
[DEFIANCE REGISTERED.]
[FORTUNE +5.]
Blake's pupils turned gold.
The security guards suddenly looked much less human.
---
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