Basketball

When he was an assassin, he didn't play sports because he was busy mastering the techniques. He only sees basketball on the tv and he even rarely watch tv.

When he thought about mastering techniques, he remembers if he can also use that techniques with this body.

'I should try this when I got home later.' Joe thought. He hoped that he retains his mastery of the technique because if he can't even execute the technique he will really go back in practicing those techniques and he don't have much time right now because he still has to study for the final and college entrance exam.

While Joe was thinking about his problem, the first match has started. The other team that was playing was from another town. Maybe they want to make money in betting in playing basketball. Those guys have brawny build, they played well.

'These guys are good at playing basketball.' Joe thought. This is his first time seeing basketball in person. He was also tempted to play but with his condition, he will just drag his teammates. Because of what happened to him he feels weak over his body. And when he exerts too much force, his wounds will react. So, for the time being, he will not do excessive movement to make the wounds heal faster. [A: I don't have a medical background, so I made it like that and don't worry it will not affect the story. Thank you for your understanding.]

After awhile the game ended. The brawny men from the other town won the game with a lead of 14 points. The mechanics of game is, when the score goes 32 the game will be over and the first to get the score of 32 will be the winner. The scoring is the same as professional basketball. And the referee will get a 10 % cut in the capital bet when the game ends. [A: So, if every team made a bet of 20 dollars then the total will be 40, right? The 10% cut will be subtracted to the 20 dollar and the other 20 dollars will not be touched. So, your total win will be 18 dollars plus the other 20 dollars so, it will be 38 dollars in total.]

"Okay guys we're next!" Ron shouted to the group of Paul, sitting beside Joe.

A brawny guy with dark skin came to Ron to talk about the bet.

"Ron guy, we want to increase the bet. Make it 150 dollars." The brawny guy said with a serious face.

"150 dollars?!" Ron and the group were shocked. Even though Ron always play basketball and place bets, he still can't afford to bet 30 dollars to play a single basketball game. The typical bets are around 10 dollars or sometimes if the players were rich the bet will go up to 50 dollars. This is his first time hearing someone bets more than 100 dollar. He was really shocked by how the guy increase the bet. Are these guys so desperate for money?

"What are you scared?" said the brawny guy. Ron was correct, these guys really need money. They don't have permanent jobs and so they only thought of a way to earn money, and this is from betting in basketball. They already make this as their job. They always go to different towns everyday to make money. They will observe first the players if they were good players, if they are, they won't make big bets but if the other team are not good players that's when they make big bets.

"Damn you! Yes, we're scared! Do you think money can be found when you're peeing?" Paul retorted. He was really pissed; 150 dollars can even feed him for a month frugally. They were not sons of a rich family so they know how to use money wisely. Betting 30 dollars for a game of basketball is not a good investment and they know why those guys increase the bets. Do these idiots think they were idiots? They were not good at playing basketball and so they increase their bets to make money out of them.

"Oh, so you decide the bet." the brawny guy said. He also guessed that this group of people are not like the players that will bet plenty of money. Its okay if they don't earn a lot of money today. They can just go to other town after the game.

"Let's bet 20 dollars. That's our limit." Paul said, but he was scheming in his head. 'These idiots really think that they were easy targets. Hehe. We will show you how noobs player versus good players can win the game.'

"Okay. Here's the 20 dollars." the guy gives 20 dollars to the new referee because Ron will play. After that Paul also give 20 dollars to the new referee. The referee was a middle aged man who has likely has the same age as Joe's dad and he is also a police in the town.

While the other team are preparing for the next match. Paul and his team form a circle to tell them his scheme.

"Guys! Here's the strategy. Ashley gets the rebound, Me and Ron will run to initiate the fast break. The others will box out. Ashley, after you get the rebound and give it to Babart and he will the one that will throw the ball to us. Make the play fast. Okay." Paul said while smirking. 'Hehehe, those guys don't know that we have a high jump player, a shot put player. But if they play don't work, Ron can just make three pointers to end the game.'

Even though Paul was sure that they will win, he still didn't bet excessively. If they win this round, he was sure that the bet will increase until the other team recoup their losses and Paul's team will be the one who will earn big bucks this time.

"Are all of you ready?" ask the police/referee. "I will remind you guys to be a sport, don't make trouble if you lose. If not I will arrest you."

Even though this is considered gambling, he still didn't stop them. It's already a culture in putting bets when playing basketball.

"Okay." The players promised. After that, was the start of the game.