Chance turned in his seat. Samas and Ramsay stepped aside to give him a clear view of me. "I'll give you one thousand dollars right now if you loan me the dice for a few hours," he said, a slight tinge of prideful desperation in his voice.

I went for my pocket and was about to say yes when Auda spoke.

"Evan I'll give you two if you don't," he said.

Chance turned to his opponent. "You would," he said, sinking back into his seat. The impish cards were almost completely obscured by his thick, sausage fingers.

Auda picked an oversized gold coin out of the pile and weighted it in the palm of his hand. "This feels about right." He tossed the coin up to me.

I looked across the table at Chance. "No dice," I said pocketing the coin. Several chuckles and pats on the back came as they dealt anew.

A second staff girl accompanied Auda's wine stewardess as they made another round. The new girl offered fresh goblets as the other filled. I took a full one and marveled at the craftsmanship. The fresh goblets were made of silver with gold braiding inlaid around the rim. "How old are these?" I asked holding it up.

"Who cares, so long as they still work," said Chance before emptying his in one long swallow. "Refill please." He held his goblet under the large urn's spout.

"Darling, you found me," Auda said to his wine girl. "Come over here and quench my desire."

Anger filled her eyes as she circled around to his side of the table. Auda held out his goblet in his left hand and shuffled coins with his right. "Tell me my sweet, what will it take to possess you?" he asked showing his gapped teeth.

"Give it up Auda," said Poppy walking over to her. "She likes girls. She's a lesbian, aren't you dear." Poppy ran her fingers through the girl’s hair. Embarrassment fueled the fury welling up inside her and the urn began to shake in her pale chubby hands.

Auda didn't miss a step and reached out to grip her firmly again. "Well then, you should like me all the more my sweet, for I know the Sultana’s secrets of feminine pleasure.” She flushed completely red and stormed off amid uproarious laughter. "Oh no, I think I've offended her delicate sensibilities," he said, looking around the table. "Do you really think she is a lesbian?" he asked Poppy.

"Oh, I'm sure of it."

"Give the poor creature a rest," said Chance, unable to stop laughing at his inadvertent pun.

"You're a fine one to talk, especially after that Umo incident," said Ramsay. Everyone else at the table smiled and nodded knowingly.

"What's the Umo incident?" I asked.