Camaraderie over Cards
After enjoying a tasty dinner, Melsa, Elisanne, Cleo, and Ranzal play a memory-based card game.
Melsa: The threes are here and here. And the sevens are here and... Ah, that one on the edge there.
Ranzal: Hell, ya got it AGAIN! Yer unstoppable at this, Melsa.
Elisanne: Your memory truly is incredible.
Cleo: The only way you could have done that was to memorize all the cards after seeing them once—which seems impossible.
Melsa: Actually, that's exactly what happened.
Elisanne: Well, that explains how you keep winning, although not the talent itself.
Cleo: I'm a little jealous, to be honest. If I had your memory, I'd never have to make a list when I go shopping.
Ranzal: Yo, Melsa! Now's yer chance.
Melsa: Ah, yes.
Elisanne: Hmm? What was that, Ranzal?
Ranzal: Huh? What? Don't worry about it. ...Now go for it, Melsa!
Melsa: R-right! Um, Cleo?
Cleo: Yes?
Melsa: You were talking about shopping, and... Well, I... I was thinking that if I went with you, you wouldn't need to make a list.
Cleo: That would be a tremendous help. I've been stressing out a little about the growing number of things I have to buy, so by all means come if you are willing.
Melsa: Ah. Good. Thank you! And thank you as well, Ranzal!
Ranzal: Bwa ha ha! Ain't no need to thank me. I'm just glad it worked out for ya.
Cleo: Wait, why is Melsa thanking YOU, Ranzal?
Elisanne: Now that I think about it, I remember he was giving her some advice earlier. This is all most suspicious.
Melsa: He was merely trying to help me.
Cleo: I don't follow. What exactly was he helping you with?
Melsa: I wished to be better friends with you all, but was unsure how to go about it. Then Ranzal told me he knew a good way to break the ice—a card game.
Ranzal: Yeah, I figured she'd be able to get tight with the group if we all got nice and chatty over a deck.
Elisanne: ...Perhaps I was wrong about you, Ranzal.
Cleo: Apparently even HE can do something good every now and then.
Ranzal: Hey, gimme a break! I'm just tryin' to look out for the new kid, yeah? Although I didn't expect her to win every damn hand!
Melsa: Er, yes. My apologies.
Elisanne: You have nothing to apologize for. If you do not give your all in every competition, there is no reason to even take part.
Ranzal: And on that note, I'm done holdin' back! C'mon, let's get round two goin'. Oh, and this time, I'm playin' for keeps!
Cleo: You can play for as many keeps as you wish—she's still going to win.
Ranzal: Won't know till we go, yeah? Now let's DO THIS THING! The eights're here...and here. And the nines're here and here!
Melsa: What a fine memory you have, Ranzal!
Cleo: Wait, RANZAL's memory is this good? What's going on here?
Elisanne: If I didn't know better, I'd say he was using a marked deck.
Ranzal: Hey, I ain't no cheat! ...Not intentionally, anyway. But this deck is pretty beat up, so ya can tell what card is what by the scratches and folds on the back of 'em.
Elisanne: And HOW is that any different from intentional cheating?!
Ranzal: It's STRATEGY! Rule number one of any competition: Make use of whatcha got.
Cleo: In that case, I, too, shall "make use of what I got."
Ranzal: Whoooaargh! Wh-what're ya doin', Cleo?!
Cleo: You should feel lucky I held back.
Ranzal: Held back? Ya just scratched the cards all to hell!
Cleo: Yes, and that magic could have easily destroyed the deck. So be glad that I showed a modicum of restraint. Come, Melsa. We'll work together to defeat this coward.
Elisanne: That's right. We've been around here longer, so it's our duty to help you win.
Melsa: I see. Thank you both.
Ranzal: Fine then! I'll beat ya with my WITS! This one here...and THIS one! Ah, crap! That ain't it!
Melsa: It's my turn now, yes? The two is here...and the five is here. I believe that makes me the winner.
Cleo: It does indeed. Congratulations.
Elisanne: And now it's time for your lecture, Ranzal. Don't cheat when you play games!
Melsa: A lecture is not necessary, actually. I don't mind what he did.
Elisanne: Truly?
Melsa: My only goal with the game was to get to know everyone, and I was able to do that. I feel like I have more friends now, which makes me very happy.
Ranzal: Heh. Then my plan worked! I pretended to be a heel, and you guys became friends!
Elisanne: I don't think there was any pretending involved, Ranzal.
Cleo: This worked out in SPITE of your actions.
Ranzal: Hey, don't be sweatin' the minor details! The end justifies the means and all that. Ain't that right, Melsa?
Melsa: Indeed. Thank you all for a wonderful time. Especially you, Ranzal. You both helped me and looked out for me.
Ranzal: Bwa ha ha! Think nothin' of it, kid. Hey! I just thought of somethin'. Would ya do me a favor, Melsa?
Melsa: Of course. What is it?
Ranzal: I wanna play cards again—but this time, I've got an even better game in mind...
Melsa: There's a better game than this one?
Ranzal: Oh, yeah. It's a blast. It's a card game for adults filled with thrills and tension—and we play for real stakes!
Cleo: Aaaand that's enough of that. If you'd be so kind as to lecture this miscreant, Elisanne?
Elisanne: Ranzal! It is simply inexcusable for you to attempt to drag Melsa down to your level, where only the dregs of humanity exist!
Ranzal: I was JOKIN'! Sheesh! Gimme a break.
Cleo: *sigh* Melsa, you mustn't grow up to become like this one.
Melsa: What? Um, I don't know what you mean. ...Er, everyone? Please wait for me! What is this fun new card game?! I have to know!
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