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[neverjoinyou]

Leave a message. I will hear you.

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[tetractys]

ALL RULES DO IS HOLD PEOPLE BACK, AND THE MACHINES AND ILLUSIONS THAT ENFORCE THEM ARE EVEN WORSE! THAT'S WHY I'M ALWAYS TEN STEPS AHEAD OF ANYBODY STILL TRYING TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY. IT MESSES YOU UP!

[neverjoinyou]

I think we've had this conversation before. But thank you--for answering. That helps.

[The problem is, he can't really envision what Bill even wants. Or how that can be turned into something positive.]

I can't do anything about that at the moment. But is there something I can do now?

[tetractys]

[A long, slightly angry whine.]

I DON'T KNOW! I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING.

[he is so frustrated with this situation]

[neverjoinyou]

[Luke pauses, unsure what to do with Bill until he can implement his admittedly probably not very good plan. Finally,]

Want to watch tv? Or beat me at a game?

[tetractys]

[Long pause. He contemplates what's remaining in his cup.]

WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT'S LIKE CHESS?

[neverjoinyou]

Well... there's chess.

[Luke smiles, and leans over the bar to find the set stashed there.]

Bull taught me.

[tetractys]

HEY, YOUR FUNERAL. I'LL DESTROY YOU AT THIS, YOU'VE GOT A BETTER SHOT AT A GAME I DON'T KNOW YET.

[Bill's particular confidence sometimes comes off as bragging, but usually, like now: he is so confident in this that he considers it a fact.]

[neverjoinyou]

[Luke had pretty much expected to be beaten at any game he chose, and wasn't planning on trying to win. Still, he does think that if he goes forward with chess, it'll end too quickly to make Bill anything but even more bored. So after a moment, Luke shrugs and reaches over the bar again to pull out another board.]

Fine. Dejarik it is. It's like chess, but the holograms attack each other.

[Which makes it obviously superior in Luke's mind, but he usually doesn't say that for fear of sounding shallow.]

do you want to handwave explaining rules and playing, or play it out?

[tetractys]

[Bill props himself up and wipes the last of the eggnog off of his eyelid.]

I ALREADY LIKE THIS.

no one knows the rules so...

[neverjoinyou]

[Luke grins. It's good information, too, for his future plans.]

Just wait.

[He turns on the portable set, and the creatures flicker to 'life,' arranged around the board. He tells Bill the rules, and watches as the pieces roar and squeal.

Luke is passable at this game, but he has no real expectations of winning.]