Monopoly - Sinner's Edition (Complete)

KNOCK KNOCK!

Ivy grinned to herself, she couldn't wait to show off the new apartment. She set down her knife and hurried to the door.

She swung it open wide and there he was, "Theo!" She beamed at him.

Theo smiled back awkwardly, "Uh hi, I, um..."

Ivy smacked him playfully in the shoulder, "Dude, did you come straight from work? What's with the tie?"

"Uh, well, yes, actually. Is this inappropriate?" Theo seemed genuinely worried.

"It's a PARTY, not a funeral! Lose the tie." Ivy said, half serious.

Just then someone else turned the corner in the hallway and came into view. Contrasting Theo's well put together look he looked like a slob, an image that wasn't helped by the cardboard box full of beer he was carrying.

"Whoa, Theo looking sharp man. Now I feel like a bum." The newcomer said.

"That's cause you are a bum Dax," Ivy said, she glanced back at Theo, "Sorry Theo, I was just teasing. You look great. Come on in you two."

Ivy stepped back into the apartment and did a twirl, "What do you think?"

"Pretty sharp, I guess the wedding industry pays well?" Dax asked.

"It's getting there," Ivy admitted, "But I admit we stretched our budget a little to get here. Still can't believe you make more than any of us and choose to live like...well...that..." Ivy gestured to Dax's unkempt appearance.

Dax shrugged, "Don't worry I always wear a clean shirt to work. Well, usually."

Theo shook his head, "Sorry bud, I can't defend you on this. So Ivy, where's Kat?"

"She was still getting ready. Dax might be a slob, but you're both pretty punctual aren't you? Why don't you head into the living room, I'm just finishing this snack tray and I'll be right there." Ivy said to them.

The men nodded and headed in the direction she'd pointed. They'd just sat down when Kat came into the room herself, "Hey boys! I'm so glad you could make it," She sat down on the couch opposite them, "What do you think of the place?"

"Pretty sweet. It must be nice being so close to the University." Dax said.

"It is, no more bussing in every day. Just a few minutes walk to my lab, it's actually a little dangerous." Kat admitted.

"Dangerous?" Theo asked, concerned.

Ivy came in with a tray of food, "She's a workaholic, like you Dax," She set the food down, "We're roommates but I barely see her."

"I'm so sorry," Kat said, "I just can't help myself."

"It's ok Doc, I knew what I was getting into. As long as your cheque's clear there's no problem." Ivy said.

The four friends settled into a comfortable chat, enjoying each others company and the snacks Ivy had prepared. They went back years but recently they'd had few opportunities to get together. Kat, or Dr. Katerina as she was known at work, had been spending nearly all of her time either working or commuting and been a ghost to all of them. Ivy had launched her own wedding planning business three years ago, but this was the first year she was fully booked and she struggled to balance work and life. Theo had been living in a different city until he moved back home just a few months go to start a new job. And Dax was a freelance developer. When he was on he would work 60 to 80 hours a week and totally devote himself to a project. Luckily for his friends he'd just finished a job and was planning to spend the next couple weeks doing absolutely nothing.

Finally Ivy clapped her hands, "So, how about a board game?"

"Sure, but not Catan, I'm bored with that." Dax said.

"What about Agricola? I find it presents an excellent chance to study opportunity cost." Theo suggested.

"Actually," Ivy reached under the coffee table and pulled out a game, "I found this when we moved it. I think it's like a fan edition or something. I looked it up, it's definiately not official."

Kat didn't realize Ivy had found something, she read the box, "Monopoly - Sinner's Edition?"

"Boo, monopoly is boring." Dax said.

"Can we just try it? If it's boring we'll switch." Ivy pleaded.

Dax took a sip of beer, "Oh alright. I can't say no to you."

Ivy clapped again, "Yay! Ok, let's set it up."

She opened the box and set up the board. It looked like the game they were all familiar with, except all the locations had new names,

"Strip club? Brothel? I don't know..." Kat said slowly.

"Oh my God, I'm going to be the handcuffs." Dax picked up a tiny token, "Kinky."

Ivy snorted, "Fine, I'll be...the champagne flute. Don't worry KittyKat, it's just a game."

"...fine, I'll be the...mirror." She picked her own token.

"Well the accountant should be the moneybag? Right?" Theo picked his piece.

"Ok, so who goes first?" Kat asked.

"Wait, what are the rules?" Theo asked seriously.

"Rules? Man, it's monopoly. I'm sure you've played it before." Dax said.

"Well sure, but this is a variant. If we don't read the rules how are we supposed to play properly?" Theo asked.

"Properly? Roll the dice. Buy all the property you can. Rinse & repeated for hours until someone gets too bored and flips the table. That's how it goes, right?" Dax asked.

"He's right," Kat said, "We should read the rules first, I'll-" She was interrupted by a knock at the door, "Oh, I'll get it."

She stood up and went to answer the door