December 8 – There’s Always Overboard

Author’s note: In case you missed it, I explained on my previous post tonight why there is a glaring lack of Mirth and Music Monday tonight. Sorry again about that.

Prompt: The main character is a helpful 27-year-old man. The setting is a cruise liner. Someone is being cheated. The theme is: pride.

“Sir, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave the casino.”

Tim hated having to do this. He’d known when he landed this job that it would be a requirement, and he had hoped that the thrill of getting to work on board such a luxurious liner would outweigh the sucky parts.

“Just what are you accusing me of, boy?” asked the fat man Tim was trying very hard to civilly evict from the games room.

“My name is Timothy, sir, and it’s very obvious to everyone that you are cheating. If you don’t leave your own accord I will have to call security.”

“Well, of all the nerve! Don’t you know who I am?”

“No, sir, I don’t. I’m sorry, but it’s impossible to learn the name of every passenger even the important ones.”

Tim was aware he was starting to tread on dangerous ground now and mentally reminded himself to toe the line from now on.

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this!” The fat man puffed out his chest and stood indignantly. He moved close enough to Tim that Tim could smell the garlic that was still on his breath from dinner. He jabbed Tim in the chest, a gesture Tim tried to accept with good grace. “I’ll be speaking to your superiors, boy.” With that he stormed out of the casino.

He had no doubt the man would go to his superiors. Cheaters often did. However, the rest of the gentlemen at the table could attest to the fact that the man hadn’t been playing by the rules, so he would have that in his favour at least.

And If worst came to worst, jumping overboard was always an option…