“This place is huge. Find the reception table. Hurry!”

Ash, Luke, and Vance sprinted through the gaming floor of the Ocean’s Bounty.

Ash looked over. “By the way Vance, you’re sure that there will be a dropout for the tournament that will open up a space.”

“Of course I’m sure. There’s always someone who doesn’t show up in time for the event’s registration. Once Luke signs up he can take their spot.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Vance winked. “You can thank my good friend Expauldio Larkpenny.”

“And you don’t have any problems assisting us with our plan? Or any concerns about our talking dog?”

“Not at all! Your plan fits in perfectly with mine. You guys want to cheat the tournament. I couldn’t care less. I’m after that.” Vance pointed to one of the banners waving under the ceiling.

The banner had a picture of a smiling cartoon dolphin giving a thumbs up next to an illustration of the Ocean’s Bounty building.

“You want… a dolphin?” Luke asked.

“No, I don't want a dolphin. I want the banner.” said Vance.

“You want the banner of a dolphin?” Luke asked.

“Not the banner. Or at least not the banner as a physical object.” Vance clapped his hands together. “I want the concept of the banner. The event itself. The whole Hundred Aught Hundred Ought contest. I want its prestige. I want its fame. I want its decadence. And I want to drag it all through the dirt.”

Ash nodded. “No second thoughts from me. I’m one hundred percent on board with your spiteful excursions.” Ash put a hand on Vance’s shoulder. “I’ve never felt this close, philosophically speaking, to anyone in my life ever before. Now let’s go make a mess out of this tournament.”

Eins crawled up on top of Luke’s head. “I can see the registration table. It’s over there. They’re packing up. Hurry, hurry, hurry!” The dog kneaded Luke’s hair.

Luke followed Eins’ directions. “Okay. I’m heading over to registration. What are the two of you going to be doing?”

Ash looked over the crowd. “I’m going to meet up with Ave and Tasha. They left earlier this morning. They said they would meet us here in the Gambling Hall.”

Vance smoothed back his hair. “I’m going to scout out the other competitors for the tournament. I’ll get some intel and- Hold on. I see Privati dragging a kite up to the roof access. Nevermind. I’ll see you two later.”

Vance ran off into the crowd.

“Who was dragging a what?” Ash asked.

“No time for that now. I’m off to join the tournament.” Luke ran off in the opposite direction.

“Luke!” Ash shouted.

“What?” Luke turned.

“Dog!”

“Oh yeah!”

Luke plucked Eins down off of his head and then softball tossed the dog into Ash’s outstretched arms.

#

Allie looked up from the check-in table. “Yes. Hello. Can I help you?”

Luke adjusted his overcoat. “Yes. Thank you. I’m here to register for the tournament.” He smiled a big smile.

Allie frowned behind her glasses. “I have bad news for you. The tournament registration is already over.” She shuffled some papers. “It is, after all, the most popular event in Kaseihgaeu. People come from all over the Kingdom to participate. I can’t help you now. You really should have gotten here two weeks ago for pre-registration. Or even one week ago for regular registration.”

“Right. I understand that. I’m here for after-registration.” Luke bounced on his toes.

“You’re here for what?”

“The registration that happens after registration.”

“That… doesn’t happen. Registration is over.”

Luke kept smiling his big smile. “Normal registration is, but you still have spots open since not everyone makes it on time to register. So I’m here to fill one of those spots. And that’s why I’m here. I’m registering for the after-registration after registration.”

Allie blinked. “What, but we don’t…”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“But you do still have spots open in the tournament.”

Allie shuffled some papers. “Uh… maybe.”

“Normally Lady House would pick someone to fill those spots but if I after-register right now I can grab one of the openings and enter the tournament. Isn’t that right?”

“Who told you this?”

“I know a guy. He’s a co-conspirator, I mean a coworker, I mean a friend.” Luke smiled too big a smile.

Allie fidgeted with one of the charms on her bracelet. “I don’t know. It would save a lot of paperwork.”

Allie looked down at her check in sheet.

Luke kept smiling.

The sound of spinning wheels and rolling dice filled the game floor all around them.

Allie shrugged her shoulders. “Fine. What’s your name?”

Luke clapped his hands. “Luke.”

“Family name?” Allie asked.

“Eaupéril. There you are.” Lady House announced.

The blood drained out of Luke’s legs, lungs, and face. He slowly turned his head.

“A pleasure to see you again Madame House.” said Mr Eaupéril.

Luke’s father bowed politely to Lady House as the two of them met on the game floor three meters behind where Luke was standing at the registration table.

“I am so looking forward to this convention. You have excellent taste when it comes to selecting orateurs.” Mr Eaupéril chuckled to himself.

Lady House nodded. “I only select the best. From your reputation alone I am sure that your conventions will be a very entertaining addition to the tournament.”

“Speaking of tournaments. You did not tell me that my son was one of the participants.” Mr Eaupéril glanced over to the table where Luke was frozen in shock.

“Your son? Is that right.” Lady House turned. Her gaze swept over Luke like a wave of ice and menthol.

“That's right. You may not be aware but my son is one of the most special boys in the kingdom. He is the-”

*Caaawww!*

The falcon perched on the man's shoulder let out a sudden screech.

“He is the-”

*Ka-Caw!*

Mr Eaupéril quickly moved a hand up to pet the bird.

“Like I was saying-”

*Caw*Caw*Caw*CAw*Caw*CaW*

Mr Eaupéril waved a hand. “You will have to forgive my faucon. My bird. He is not used to the noise of your Gambling Hall. I have put on his padded capot to reduce the noise. But still, he is a sensitive bird. Isn’t that right my précieux.” He stroked the falcon’s chest feathers. “I should go and get to the convention hall before my sweet one becomes too excited. Luke, once you are done signing up for the tournament come join me in the convention hall. You can help your father prepare for the presentation.”

“Uh huh…” Luke nodded with whatever blood was left in his neck.

“Au reviour.”

Mr Eaupéril strode confidently across the floor of the game room and disappeared around the corner.

Lady house watched the man walk away out of the corner of her eye. Then she turned and made a few elegant strides over to where Luke was standing. She moved to the side of the check in desk and glanced at the sheet of paper that Allie was holding.

"You are a very late arrival aren't you." Lady House said.

"That's me." Luke made an awkward bow.

"There are only two kinds of people that try to enter a contest at the last minute: those who are very lazy and those who are attempting a scam. Which would you say you are?"

Luke’s skin wanted to sweat but there wasn't enough blood flowing to his integumentary system to make that happen.

"I *Cough* would say that I am, uh... " Luke pulled at the collar of his overcoat. "Can I ask you a lesson, er, I mean ask you a question?"

Lady House paused. Her corner of her mouth tilted ever so slightly. "Go ahead."

"You seem like an intelligent and ruthless woman. Also you're probably the richest person in the entire Kingdom. You have so much power and I have none."

Lady House's face was a mask.

"If you found out that the Kingdom was in danger, like real danger, what would you do to protect it? Would it be acceptable to commit a crime if that would make it easier for you to save the Kingdom?" Luke rambled on.

Lady House put on a calculating smile. "Save the entire Kingdom? Is this a hypothetical question?"

Luke winced. "Ahhh... It should be shouldn't it. That's the way it usually is right? But suppose it wasn't. If it was real, right now, if the Kingdom was in danger would you do the wrong thing to do the right thing? Uh, I mean would you do something possibly illegal if it meant that you would have a better chance to save the world?"

Lady House looked amused. "In my experience something that is illegal is not the same as something that is immoral."

"Yeah but breaking the law is always immoral right? Would you do anything it took to protect the entire Kingdom if it meant that you might, maybe, hurt someone else in the process?"

"Who?" Lady House tapped a single manicured nail

"That's the thing, I don't know, someone I'm sure. If you win but someone else loses then you've only helped yourself. And the other person..." Luke avoided making eye contact. "They've been harmed. Even if they might not notice it because they already have so much. How do you know if what you're doing is the right thing?"

Lady Winsome House curled a knuckle under her chin. She played with one of her skull earrings. The list of entrants in the tournament was sitting on the table. Using a fingernail she drew a line down the list until she reached the bottom. She tapped the final name a few times.

“In the scenario you describe, hypothetical let's say, it's better to do something even if it is immoral than to wait and do nothing. If you try and fail then people will suffer. But if you do nothing at all, people will suffer still. So the only option left is to play. And win.”

Lady House picked up an envelope.

“It may sound artful for the owner of a gambling hall to endorse taking a huge risk but…”

She walked around to the front of the table.

“It's better to do something, anything, than wallow in self doubt. After all you can always justify your actions however you want after you win. Here." She handed a thick envelope to Luke. "Let me personally welcome you to the most extravagant and momentous event in the Four Kingdoms."

Luke looked down at the invitation in his hand. "Thanks."

Allie hesitated. “Uhh… for the family name should I put down…?”

“Leave it blank for now.” Lady House flipped the check-in sheet over on the table. “Now let’s go meet with your father in the auditorium.”