Hita - Anita Claire Page 0,28
could hire three engineers for what this spread costs, as we’re met at the front doors by a couple of guys on stilts dressed in black pants, white shirts, and vests. Upon entering, the room is quite striking. It’s sleek, modern, with high ceilings, and large windows. The whole center of the large room is filled with different types of games. Some are games of chance manned by a croupier, while others are classic arcade games manned by an attendant. Servers are walking around with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Dining tables all laid out with fancy gambling themed arrangements on them ring around the game area. The perimeter of the room is filled with food tables. Passing on the carving station and the seafood station, I’m glad to see they have an assortment of vegetarian options, along with drinks.
I spot Kami before I see Carolyn. The first thing Kami says is, “Carolyn’s all upset. She went to Bobby’s Christmas party, but he canceled last minute on our party, even after saying he would come.”
This news isn’t unexpected since he sounds like an opportunistic dick. Though, I’m shocked how low he really has gotten.
I wind up joining Chris and Avery as we play the different games. We run into Colin from ping pong. Not surprising for a tall, good looking guy with a great job, he has a pretty blond girlfriend in tow. He introduces her as Emily as we all end up at the same blackjack table.
The croupier tells us, “I’ve never staffed a table with so many ringers before.”
Chris tells him, “I’m not surprised. Most of the people who work here either have a degree in engineering, physics, or math. Those professions are not big into most forms of gambling since we can calculate the numbers.
“We tend to play games where the odds are on our side. Did you know Ian paid for college by playing poker? Eventually got run out of Las Vegas for counting,” Avery says.
“Are you sure it wasn’t for his personality?” I question.
Chris counters, “I don’t think they mind obnoxious people in Las Vegas.”
Emily keeps on losing. Finally, Colin leans over and says to Emily, “Hey baby, that hand is good, I’d hold it.”
Not knowing what her cards are, I see Emily get an annoyed look on her face as she asks the dealer for another card.
When Emily puts her cards down, she shows two nines. Avery starts laughing. Colin gives him a look that says, “please don’t make this worse than it is.” Chris, though, starts egging her on as we move to craps, a totally ridiculous game to play, statistically speaking that is.
Emily tells me in a completely serious voice, “You know you can’t roll the same numbers twice in a row.”
I’m completely dumfounded by that remark as I respond, “You realize that they’re just little plastic cubes. One roll has absolutely no effect on the next roll.”
She gives me a curious look before heading to the head of the table where she sticks out her boobs and waves wildly so they’ll let her roll the dice.
Avery leans into me and says, “Don’t worry, Hita, she won’t be vying for your job.”
Colin adds, “Yeah, math is not Emily’s thing.”
As we watch Emily get all excited about the dice she’s rolling, Colin bumps me with his elbow. “Hita, you have a good head for games. You’re a strategic player.”
“You’re saying that because I beat you the other day.”
“Yeah, I am saying it because you beat me the other day. Your shots aren’t as fast as the guys, but you make it up by being quick and smart. If I won too often against you, I’d think you were pandering to me.”
“What, you like women who are a challenge?”
He looks at me for too long as he nods. There’s a strange energy that passes between us. It abruptly ends when Emily comes back after losing. She gives me a funny look as she drags Colin away.
What’s really sweet about all the gaming is when you win you get tickets. They have a booth where you can turn your tickets in for really cool things, like iPods, Chrome books, and Kindles. As we leave, everyone is given a leather bomber jacket with our company logo embroidered on it. Since the jackets were expensive, they actually asked people their size preference before ordering them. The swag folks did a great job, also providing a sleek women’s version. It’s my first work garment that doesn’t look like it’s