The Road

Francis and Nero were playing cards. The game was fairly easy.

They would take turns deciding whether the next card would be higher or lower than the one the dealer had placed. The game was played in pairs, that way the dealer was never your partner. The pair that was not dealing would be the ones that decide to go higher or lower. Everyone would get a chance to deal, and to call the cards.

The card on display was a six. They chose to go higher, as probability would lean towards higher, and they won. A ten was the card that was presented. The men they were gambling against lost a third of their gold. Math is a powerful weapon.

A crowd had started to gather.

“How about one more game. This time, we bet all of it, for all of yours and that which you have won” one of the men said.

“I am sorry, old man, but we have no interest in such boorish gambles,” said Nero.

“Even if you are betting all of the gold, we are looking for thrill, old man, not money,” said Francis.