The Betting Ring

[Gifted]

Rick was very content with how his life had gone. As ex-president of the United States he had a substantial income, a wife, two children (one naturally theirs, another adopted from some third world country he'd have to check because he didn't actually remember.) and several maids and tutors at his large home and a highly successful career he loved. His oldest friend seemed to have done well for himself too, Kenny having attained a wife and two highly intelligent children and two highly intelligent grandchildren. Today, he'd scheduled to go pay the family a visit out of courtesy and he kissed his wife on the cheek goodbye as he headed out the door. He got into his car, only to find his chauffeur was a dfferent person than usual. It was a young girl. "What happened to Dennis?" He asked. He rather liked Dennis."
"He's sick." She said quietly. Suddenly two men with guns reached up from where they'd been hidden in the trunk, and Rick was left wondering how the hell they'd gotten past security as they used old-fashioned chloroform to knock him out, guns to his head.

[Neon]

Rolan shrugged.
"She was not my choice, nor would she ever have been my choice despite her beauty. She knew it and seemed content enough in the knowing."

[Gifted]

Tyler was sitting at a quiet table off to the side speaking on his phone. He had been one of the first to arrive, and was finishing up just a few last things at the office before he joined the conversations. He'd been coming to these for a number of years, and he knew the game often took days and leaving at the wrong time could mean the difference between a win and a loss. So he was clearing his schedule as he took notes on the contestants.

[Raven]

Jeremy shook his head. "You could at least show her respect."

[Neon]

Rolan shrugged again.
"I could. She doesn't deserve it." he stated simply, getting out of his chair and moving to survey the other betters.

[Raven]

Jeremy sighed.

Austin offered a hand to Tyler. "Oliver Reid, it's good to meet you."

[Gifted]

Tyler looked up to the man. "Tyler Winslake. Good to meet you as well. I'm just finishing up a few things." He said, shaking the younger mans hand. "Difficult in my line of work to leave for so long, and I'm not as young as I once was."

[Raven]

"Oh? What do you do for a living?" Austin questioned.

[Gifted]

"Oh, office politics and such." Tyler shrugged. "You must have been raised by very good stock yourself."

[Raven]

"Fortunately, yes. I'm a psychologist myself. It was definitely worth my effort to get in here." He gazed at the screens again.

[Gifted]

"I'm sure this is a fascinating study. No where else in any civilized country will you see people in the state of mind the contestants wil be in."

[Raven]

"Sometimes I think laws merely hinder us," Austin said, sighing. "Astonishing breakthroughs are just on the other side."

[Gifted]

"Ah, an Ayn Rand style Objectivist I see." Tyler smiled.

[Raven]

"Just another reason for being here, though. I must admit it's wonderful to talk more easily." Austin grinned

[Gifted]

"Yes it is nice to 'kick back' as they say, once in awhile isn't it?"