Chapter 10
The Card Game
"Okay, before we get started, how about we get everyone involved." Says Annabelle.
"Oh, you want everyone to participate?" Mei asks.
"Yes, I think this would make the game more fun."
"So, if you wouldn't mind playing, Kyo and my son, please."
"Of course, mom." The country guy responds.
"Okay, so let me explain the rules of this card game…"
"A deck comprises 100 cards; each person playing will be dealt seven cards. The rest will go to the draw pile…"
"Huh," Kyo says.
Annabelle continues explaining the game: "Each card has clown faces on it and numbers ranging from 1 to 100…"
"There is only one copy of each card, meaning there will only be one number, not duplicates…"
"One number?" Ask Kyo.
"Yes, meaning that if you played a card with the number six, then that's the only number 6 in the game."
"Ahhh," Kyo says.
"The game will start with the first person playing the lowest number they have; then the next person will play the next highest card, and so on."
"I have a question; you mean if someone were to play number twenty-seven, the next person would have to play their lowest number corresponding to that?" Mei asks.
"Yes, that is how it works."
"There is a catch though the lie system; you can call a lie if you think the person didn't play their lowest card and instead made a jump to a bigger number. If you are caught in a lie, you must pick up all the cards from the center…"
"But if the person wasn't lying, you pick up all the cards from the center."
"So this game is built on trust?" Mei says.
"Yes, exactly."
"All cards will be played face down, so the person playing the card has to say their number out loud…"
"And yes, you could stack all your cards, meaning you play all seven down at once if you wish…"
"First, to get rid of their hand wins the game."
"But that would be a little boring; let's spice it up a little: if you catch someone in a lie, you can ask that person any question of your choosing and must tell truthfully…"
"To make it a little more fair, each person will be granted two passes, meaning they can pass questions twice if they want."
"Okay, does everyone understand how the game works?"
"I have another question: is there a sort of punishment?" Mei asks.
"yes, there will be a punishment for the remaining three that didn't win."
"Any more questions?"
"It's time to win some money," Kyo says.
"Okay, if we are set, let's get started."
Annabelle starts dealing seven cards between the four of them.
"Okay, we are ready. Let's start." Annabelle says.
THE CARD GAME BEGINS
"I'll go first," says Annabelle.
"I play number 11."
"Then Mei, you go, then Kyo, then my son, then back to me."
Okay, surely she wouldn't place a fake card immediately, right? Mei thinks.
So there is no point in calling it a lie now…
Dam, my lowest card is a six, which means I will have to stack… should I do it now or wait for when we get to the late game? I'll do it now.
"I will play two cards, numbers 27 and 30."
"Lie." Annabelle immediately calls out to Mei.
"What! How did you know?" Mei responds.
"I didn't I took a gamble; normally, no one would play two cards at the start they would wait, so that's why I called a lie."
"So you take the three cards and put them in your hand."
"Now, I will ask a question."
"Why are you in this part of Tokyo?"
Woah, what a question from the start, Kyo thinks. Maybe I will actually learn something about her.
"Why are we here today, you ask?"
"It's because we need money."
"Hmm, fair enough," Annabelle says, unsatisfied with her answer.
"Okay, then Kyo, you next."
"Right, I will play number… wait, what do I play? There are no cards in the middle?"
"You play your lowest card," Annabelle says.
Okay, my lowest card is number 3. I have cards number 3, 57, 71, 98, 26, 34, and 41, so I should obviously play my number 3 card… Man, I can't wait until I can ask a question.
"Okay, I play the card number 3."
"Okay, son, your turn."
"Right, I play the card number 4." He says in his country accent.
Fuck that's a really close number, so obviously, it is a lie, right? Maybe I should call it? But it's still the early game I don't want to have to pick up cards if I'm wrong, dam..
Fuck I'm gonna call it!
"LIE!" Kyo screams.
"Aah, you got me." Says the son.
"Hah, now I get to ask a question, right?"
"Yes, you may ask a question now."
The son takes the cards from the middle of the table and puts them in his hand, waiting for the question.
"Okay, my question is, what is your name?" Kyo asks, standing up, anticipating an answer.
"Pass." The son says.
"What! You're passing the first question given to you!" Kyo screams as slams his fist on the table.
"Yes, I won't answer that question."
"Tccchh." Kyo sits back down in disbelief and dissatisfaction.
"Here, I will make you a deal; if you win, I will answer your question."
"You're on, son!"
"Okay, it's my turn," Annabelle plays her next card.
"I play number 9."
"Wait, what I thought your lowest number was 11!" Kyo snaps at Annabelle.
"I lied, obviously," Annabelle replies.
"How do I know you're not lying right now?" Kyo adds.
"She isn't." Mei steps in.
"What? How do you know?"
"Because I know."
"Hmmm." Kyo leans back in his chair, processing what is happening.
Hah, she is already trying to have us at the palm of her finger, right? Well, I won't let that happen. It seems the only way I can win is if I play honestly… at least for now.
Hmmm, she is starting to figure out how this game works… Annabelle thinks.
"I play number 11," Mei says.
"Okay… what should I play?"
Dam, I'm looking through my hand; what should I do, just play one card at a time? No, If I keep doing that, I will lose to Granny…
No, I can still rely on the lying method. I could still catch her lying, Kyo thinks.
"Okay, I play the number…"
"Oh, also, one more thing to add: You can only play two cards at a time," Annabelle says.
"Hmm, then I will play 26 and number 41," Kyo says.
Shit, am I just realizing I have a god hand! Kyo thinks.
I could win easily with this hand.
"Hmmm, I believe you are telling the truth," Son says.
"I will play the number…"
"Wait," Annabelle speaks up.
"I believe Kyo is telling a lie."
"What, no, I'm not!"
Right, there is no way I am.
Kyo looks through his hand and realizes…
"Shittttt… your right I had a 36… Fuck!"
"Damit, I made such a dumb mistake; how?" Kyo starts slapping his head.
"You probably think this game can be so simple, right?" Annabelle says.
"Well, there is a twist to this game: Once two turns go by, you are now able to draw a card if you feel like you're in a rough spot…
"Also, every time it reaches back to me, the top card of the deck will be put to initiate a new number."
"What… you're just adding new rules, aren't you?"
"Nope, these have always been the rules."
"Huh."
"Okay, well, Annabelle, you have to ask Kyo a question now, so hurry up," Mei says in annoyance.
"Right, Kyo, my question to you is…"
"What is the most important thing in this world?"
"What a typical question; I feel like anyone gets asked that at least once through their lifetime." Says Kyo.
"Answer." Says Annabelle
"Well, I think it's pretty obvious, but it's money."
"And no, don't give me a speech on how money isn't the most important thing or whatever… happiness is or whatever… I'm not interested in hearing it."
"Okay, okay, I wasn't going to give a speech; I was just curious."
"Mei dear, it's your turn now."
"Right."
Hmmm, she's right. This game feels super easy on the surface. Is she trying to pull something? I don't know anymore…
"Oh, also, let's make it so you can't stack anymore."
"So we really are just making up our own rules now, huh?"
"I guess you could put it like that, but I want this game to last a little longer," Annabelle says.
"Okay, I play the number… Oh wait, am I dumb? Granny, it's your turn to play your number."
"You also have to put a new card out."
"Oh geez sorry… Okay, the new card is 81."
"And the number I play is 94."
Dang, I can't tell if she is lying or not… should I just go?
Annabelle sure is good at this game, Kyo thinks. I can't even tell if she is lying or not.
"Okay, I will play…"
Ah, shit, I don't have a number higher than 94 what should I do? Mei starts biting her thumb.
I have to risk it, Mei thinks
"I play the number 99."
"Lie." Blurts granny's son.
"Shit."
Mei takes the cards from the middle and puts them in her hand.
"Okay, well, take another card from the deck this time and face it up," Annabelle says.
"Kyo, would you like to do the honors?"
"Wait, wait, I still have to ask Mei a question."
"Oh, right, go ahead. Geeze, I keep forgetting things." Annabelle says.
"My question to you, Mei, is…"
"Are you a foster child?"
"Pass," Mei says.
"Hmmm," Son grunts in disapproval.
"Okay, now let's see what the new card is…" Kyo chimes in.
Dang, what the hell was that type of question? Why would you even ask someone that? Well, in any case…
"The new number is 45."
"Remember, you have to play your lowest number." Annabelle reminds Kyo.
Fuck, Fuck my lowest number is too low what do I do?
Kyo's face breaks into a cold sweat, and he starts to bite his lips, panicking.
Oh yeah, I draw. That's right; I will just draw!
"Okay, I'm going to draw."
Kyo reaches for the deck of cards and draws one card.
The number I got is 22, fuck
"Okay, son, it's your turn."
"Right."
"Okay, I play the number 49."
"Oh, right, it's my turn, but before that, we have to reset and have a new card…"
"The new number is 14."
"And the number I play is 15."
"You are lying," Kyo suddenly says.
"No, I was not now pick up your cards…"
"Fuuuuck."
Kyo picks up his cards.
"Okay, Mei, it is your turn."
"Okay, I think I will just draw a card."
Mei goes to draw a card.
What the? A joker card?
Total card each player has:
Annabelle: 3 cards
Kyo: 12 cards
Mei: 9 cards
Son: 7 cards
Chapter 10 End