Alexandra Offers One

Alexandra intertwines her hands together as she rests her elbows on the desk. She regards you with a twinkle of amusement, “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost, John.”

You force a smile, mouth twitching as you try to keep up some measure of calm. The last thing you want is to show how flustered you are. You take a breath and force out a measured response, “I’m a little surprised is all. By the way, does anything lost in a previous bet have to be returned?” You resist the urge to add “Like my clothes” No need to sound desperate even if that is the truth.

“No.”

A one word response that closed off yet another avenue of escape.

“Is that a problem, John?”

“It’s just I don’t have anything to wear when I go home and-

“And you were hoping to make a bet to get some clothes, but now you can’t? That is quite the predicament.” Alexandra half-stifles a laugh.

You feel your face flush with heat. She’s barely even trying to hide the fact that she’s playing with you, now.

“Don’t fret, there is one way around the new rule. Check the last stipulation on the back.”

You turn the page over.

Office Bets Term and Agreements Addendum Exemption

A bet can be exempt from the restriction wagering private possessions provided conditions set by the CEO are met the challenger, person who proposed the bet. If the challenger fails to meet the conditions then they are subject to a forfeit of the CEO’s choosing.

A way out. You briefly rejoice at there being at finding some hope of salvation. However, you can’t help but consider the details. This is a challenge that Alexandra gets to set; how doable the conditions are is entirely up to her. Then there’s the forfeit if you fail. The writing is concerningly vague on just what that forfeit could be.

You glance back up at Alexandra who’s been waiting calmly for you. “So, would you like to place a wager, John?