exmptfromsanity (exmptfromsanity) wrote in qaf_drabbles, @ 2008-02-15 18:05:00 |
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Current mood: | accomplished |
Current music: | nada |
challenge #52 - A Game
Title: Playing Poker
Author </a></strong></a>exmptfromsanity
Timeline:pre-series
condoms: 4 to Brian
Blinds
All Brian had to go on was his resume.
Ryder’s reputation was huge; they only hired the best. It was like betting in a high stakes poker game to even score an interview. He had to keep his cards close and bluff his way in if it was necessary.
As they let him in he tightened his hand into a fist to keep from becoming angry at himself. He wore a suit, paid for by Lindsay, and a black eye, courtesy of one Jack Kinney.
As he shook Ryder’s hand he acted as though he’d been doing this for years.
The Flop
“You graduated at the top of your class, Mr. Kinney,” Ryder said, leaning back in his seat. “Your advisor told me I’d be a fool if I didn’t hire you. He also told me this was the only place you’d asked for an interview. Why is that?”
Brian raised the stakes.
“I only accept the best,” he said with confidence, “I do the best work. And Ryder is the best. I don’t see any reason to aim lower.”
Underneath he was shaking like a leaf but on the exterior he was cool and collected. The bluff was a good one.
The Turn Card
“I see.” There was amusement in Ryder’s eyes as he spoke. “Well, Mr. Kinney, I’ve seen your work, and it is… flawless, but you’re young, inexperienced. Ryder does hire the best, but there are a lot of people applying for this position, and most of them have a decade of work under their belt already.”
Again, Brian raised the stakes.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said, “I’m better than they are. In ten years they’ll be trying to retire and I will be right here, making this firm more money than anyone else you will ever hire.”
That wasn’t a bluff.
The River Card
Ryder seemed to consider this.
Where’d you get the black eye?” he asked Brian.
Brian set his jaw and said nothing.
“Get in a fight?” Ryder asked.
“No.” His voice was flat.
“Get mugged?”
“No.” It was almost cold.
“Your father?”
“No.” Nothing.
Ryder stared for a long moment. Finally he stood and Brian followed suit as he walked around the desk and extended his hand.
“You’ve got one hell of a poker face, Brian,” Ryder said, “When can you start?”
“Immediately,” Brian shook Ryder’s hand, never dropping his bluff.
Somehow his pair of twos had beaten a royal flush.