Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

Enzo and Vini had been friends for many years. And on a handful of occasions, the two would share the same reaction. If one was tense, the other would be calm. If one was furious, the other relaxed. And so on. Well, when they returned to Lake, Vini was left pondering those words of Suzane. To go to Rocinha and charge money from someone unknown. It sounded like a suicide mission. But while Vini was worried about going up the hill and delivering guns under the noses of organized crime, Enzo just sat on the couch, lit a cigar, turned on the TV and his laptop, which he brought from his apartment to Vini's house. That scene looked too good, even for the sloppy Enzo.

- Would you like a cigar? - Enzo offered.

- I'll pass. My aunt doesn't like the smell. Strangely, she doesn't complain when you smoke.

- Maybe she likes me better than you.

- Story of my life. - Vini sat down next to him - What are you doing?

- Watching Kakkonen.

- What's this?

- Finnish Championship 2nd Division.

- Are you betting on someone?

- No, Vini, I love watching Scandinavian 2nd division matches!

- Ok, so who are we betting on?

Enzo didn't understand.

- Us?

- Yes. Remember that you couldn't be betting, because legally, sports betting is not allowed in this country and there's the age thing too.

- Are you a cop, by any chance? And by the way, it is a stupid rule, thanks to the imbeciles who don't know how to gamble. The rule should be: if you don't know how to do something, simply don't do that crap. Here come these losers who barely know what a handicap is, lose their house, their car, their wife, their child support, then throw themselves off the roof, which they also lost because of gambling, and who is to blame?

- Enzo?

- Exactly!

- Damn these sports betting suicides.

- I'm talking dead seriously, Vini, all I wanted was to bet simple, win the double, fair and square, but no! The guy loses, goes crazy, kills his kids, his wife, and then throws himself off the terrace. Somehow, we all lose!

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- Ok, before you start another rant, what are we betting on?

- Honka half a goal.

- What does it mean?

- A half-goal advantage for Honka, who are playing away against - Enzo needed to check - PIF.

- PIF?

- That's the name of the other team. It must be the sponsor that owns the club and then forces them to put these fucked up names. Anyway, the bet of (0.5) means that I am giving a half goal advantage to Honka.

- But there is no such thing as half a goal in football.

- Exactly. So any win or draw for Honka, it's our win.

- And how are we looking?

Enzo looked at the screen. And, more importantly, the live score.

- Honka losing 4-0 with only 20 minutes on the clock. And a red card.

- Bollocks.

- What can I say, my friend. It happens.

So, after that betting explanation, Vini went to ask Enzo about his feelings for the next day. As I said, Vini was concerned, but Enzo didn't show anything.

- Hey, Enzo, what do you think about tomorrow? - Vini asked.

- Why? Are you nervous?

- A little bit. I don't like Rocinha. Nothing against it, but that place gives me the creeps.

- Yeah, it doesn't even compare to Barra da Tijuca, but it's still a spot.

What?

- Are you paying attention to what I am saying?

- Sort of. I am watching this other match. MLS.

- Hang on, you said you never bet on MLS. You say that it's a nickel-and-dime, retirement tournament.

- It is, but bettors are always contradicting themselves. Remember when I said that I hate La Liga and La Liga 2?

- You specifically said that Spain leagues give you acid reflux.

- True that.

- And you keep on betting?

- How can you not? It's like the prettiest girl in school who will never give you a chance, but you insist on grabbing her attention. You know it's a waste of time, but you keep at it anyway.

- Why are we even talking about this?

- Not on me, you asked, sucker. I'm trying to lose money on those ass Muricans.