Vivian

Well, fuck. Vivian thought.

“Ladies, time to make your last moves!” Ruby said. “Starting… now.” Vivian felt the sensations return to her head and… elsewhere.

The others get up and form their groups to discuss strategy. Danica, Mallory, and Janet huddled as always, but as they made up the back half of the hand, their strategy would have to be defensive - as mine was. Sarah and Luciana are probably trash-talking Ronnie, but what good would that do? Vivian sat a little longer and stared at the cards, hoping that they’d somehow give her better news.

Moving so early in the hand makes my position extremely tenuous. Ronnie and I have a pair, and a strong pair. If the flush breaks, we’d immediately be back in the hand. But what would cause it to break? Vivian glanced at Ronnie, who was looking nervous and rightly so. She can’t stay, she’s in last place. She wouldn’t risk landing in last. Her glance continued up to Michael. Would he let her fall like that? Even if saving her eliminated me? Al was sniggering in her general direction, just rubbing it all in. Did he set that up? Feed the cards so it would fall that way?

Vivian couldn’t prove it, but she couldn’t disprove it either.

Her natural bent towards adversarial thinking was working against her, she realized. Why am I assuming when I could ask?

Vivian stood up abruptly and approached Ronnie, who was off by herself in a similarly deep headspace.

“Do you have a minute?”

“I’m not goin’ anywhere.” Ronnie shrugged.

“I can’t suppose I can convince you to stay and hope our pair floats into the hand, can I?”

“No.”

“Thank you for being direct.” It didn’t work for Luciana, but it was worth the try.

“Well, you started it.” Ronnie shrugged. As Vivian turned to leave, Ronnie grabbed her arm to stop her. “I’m not stealing your card, I can say that much.”

“Obviously, it wouldn’t do you any good.” Vivian said.

“True, but I figured it was worth saying.” Ronnie chuckled. “‘Thanks for keeping it warm for me’?”

“I thought it sounded cool.” Vivian smiled back.

“It did, and in another situation maybe it would have been cool-”

“But it made me look like an ass?” Vivian said.

“Right,” Ronnie shook her head, continuing to laugh at their situation. “You know, for a few minutes back before your night with Michael, you took off that bitch mask for a minute. And it was nice to see you for real.”

“Well, I added a bitch collar. It unbalanced my outfit.”

Ronnie shook her head. “Girl…” She let it trail off, like she didn’t think it was a thought worth continuing. Then Ronnie’s expression became deathly serious. “You know… if we don’t change our spots, I’m gonna ask Michael not to use the Joker.”

“...What? Why?” Vivian’s poker face fell and a stunned look crossed her face. She noted the others picking up on it, and quickly regained her control.

“Like I told Danica, no one deserves that. I’ve only gotten your story secondhand. And based on what I saw with you and Al, I still don’t know the whole of it. But even when you were at your worst, you didn’t deserve elimination.”

“You think Michael would let that happen? Let you get a strike?” Vivian was able to limit her incredulity to her voice, but it was still there.

“I tried to help Danica when she was facing the gallows, but she wouldn’t take it. You were the one who stepped up when she needed it. I think he’ll remember that.” Ronnie looked over her shoulder at Michael. Longingly? “I’ll remind him.”

“But I got something out of that.” Vivian admitted, wringing her hands suddenly and involuntarily. She wished she had one of those pills at this moment, and not for the first time tonight. “That wasn’t charity.”

“Right, Ms. Transactional. But I don’t know if I believe that’s all there was to it. There was probably an easier way to get those pills.” Ronnie said, placing her hand on Vivian’s shoulder. “That couldn’t have been your only reason.”

“It wasn’t...” Vivian wiped a stray tear that came out before she could stem the flow. “If I get out of this, I’ll tell you more.”

“Me too.” Ronnie said softly. “You’re not the only one with secrets.”

“Well don’t let the others hear I was a big softie, it will ruin my reputation.”

“I’ll tell Michael very quietly.” Ronnie’s voice was iron now. “And if he can’t be swayed… I’ll look after you.”

Vivian didn’t respond. Not immediately. It felt strange to be grateful, because she always worked so hard never to be in someone’s debt. But perhaps it was time to let that go and accept whatever was coming next. Well, trying to control every damn thing didn’t get me anywhere. She thought. Vivian took one last look at Michael, wondering what he would do when the chips were literally down. If his whole speech meant anything, I guess it means we need to trust. She nodded softly to Ronnie and the latter left her be.

Need to get one last thing off my chest. Vivian moved towards Janet, Danica, and Mallory, who had huddled off to themselves and were discussing their moves in hushed whispers. Only Janet gave Vivian a warm(ish) look, Danica smiled but her eyes betrayed her wariness, and Mallory was openly standoffish.

“What?” Mallory asked sharply. Danica’s eyes flitted to her quickly, but she didn’t bother to chastise.

“I wanted to talk to Janet for a moment.” Vivian said. “Privately?” She ventured, but Danica and Mallory moved in closer, protectively. Janet looked slightly annoyed at their protectiveness, but she didn’t break out of it either.

“About forcing her onto Al’s team? Why in the world did you do it?” Danica asked. “You spent all your money.”

“I had my reasons.”

“You intend to share those?” Danica said.

“I’m not sure I can right now, during the game.” Vivian said, and turned to address Janet directly. “But since I may not have the chance to speak afterwards, I thought you should know. It wasn’t my choice, and it wasn’t personal.”

“That’s not very helpful.” Mallory added.

“It will have to do, for now.” Vivian said. “Maybe afterwards, should I survive, then I can stand up there like Michael did and bare my soul to all of you. But for now, I wanted Janet to know.”

Vivian didn’t wait for further confirmation or another skeptical dig from the mother or daughter. Her mind made up, Vivian turned and approached the table, triple-tapping her card to lock in her selection. It seemed like most of the room was waiting to see what Vivian would do, and since she chose first this time rather than last, all eyes immediately landed on her. Tap-tap-tap. Ahhh. The relief from tapping in her move blended with the general gallows relaxation from knowing it was out of her hands now.

“Vivian moves first!” Al said. “Wonder what sorta chaos she’ll be throwing onto the board?”

“Take your shots, fat boy.” Vivian countered, then sat back in her place and just glared. Ruby may want me dead now, but I’m off his team and done with his ass for good. Al kept his perpetual smirk, though she noted he was chewing more intensely on his cigar than usual. He recognized me as a competitor once, maybe he’s re-thinking shoving me off on Ruby.

Mallory and Danica stared at Vivian, trying to see through whatever game they thought she was playing. I’ve given them every reason to. They whispered to each other quietly, then put in their own moves. They continued to watch Vivian as they sat down, seemingly worried that she’d faked them out as Ronnie had in the prior round, but Vivian just waited patiently for the cards to decide her fate.

Sarah looked confident, which wasn’t unusual in the slightest, but Vivian found noteworthy nonetheless. Luciana made her play, then Ronnie, and Janet bringing up the rear. This time, everyone in the room seemed to be holding their breath as the final moves were about to play out.

“Ok ladies and gentleman, everyone is locked in and ready to go.” Ruby smiled. “Starting from the bottom of the hand, the first one up is Rhonda!”

Ruby flipped over the first card: Draw

“...What?” Ruby said, just as flabbergasted as everyone else in the room, but somehow the only one who could vocalize it.

“I could try to steal, but that might get me nothing but an enemy.” Ronnie said, “I’ll take my chances.”

“Not the best place to try to make friends, babe, but it’s your game to play.” Al said, annoyed at the lack of disruption. Rhonda’s King faded, and the new card emerged to stick to her: the Jack of Diamonds.

“Hehe, Jack of-”

“You already made that joke, dickhead.” Ronnie cut him off.

Ruby sniggered, but Al’s anger was directed at Rhonda and he failed to notice.

“I hope your cunning strategy works out for you.” Al said, “Enjoy your second transformation next round. Now, to the real bomb-thrower, let’s see what master play we have from Vivian!”

Vivian’s heart clutched as he turned over the card. Even knowing what it would be. This is it.

Stay.

There was a long - uncomfortably long - pause.

“...Really?” Al asked. It was genuine surprise and disappointment, and it was music to Vivian’s ears.

“I move too early, anything I could have done could be undone. Nothing to do but let go and trust the cards.” And trust Michael.

“Well… uh… wow.” Ruby joined him in confusion. She looked at Vivian with a measure of… respect? Fear? You can’t own me any more. Ronnie’s Jack was the only card below Vivian, if anything changed or Michael decided to save his wife… Vivian closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Trust the cards. And trust Michael. She repeated to herself.

Ruby flipped over Luciana’s card, still too shocked to even set it up: Steal from Mallory.

“Ok, now we have some action!” Al said, rebounding quickly from his confusion and back into the game.

“Why did you do that?!” Danica asked. “You were already in the hand!”

“Yeah, but at the bottom of it.” Luciana said. “I already tried that last round and got crushed. At least now I’m holding the best card in the deck.”

As Luciana took over the Ace, Mallory’s was replaced by the Ten of Diamonds. Vivian sat up at this. Now that’s a development. With the flush broken, the hand re-oriented, puttting Luciana sitting at the top with an Ace-High. But Vivian’s King pulled her all the way to second place, and with an Ace, King, Jack, and 10 on the board suddenly a straight draw was a possibility.

But what will the others do?

The first one up was Danica, and with the flush broken she was thoroughly fucked. Her Four of Spades slid all the way to 7th.

“And how’s she gonna get out of this jam?” Al asked. He flipped her card to reveal: Stay

“Are all of you drunk?” Sarah asked.

“I’m starting to wish I was.” Danica said. Vivian cringed because the nerves consuming Danica were enough to put everyone on edge.

“Can I change my move?” Mallory asked.

“Too late, sweetheart.” Al smirked. “Momma made her bed.”

“Perhaps Janet helped.” Ruby offered, clearly worried herself under all of it. “Let us see…” Ruby turned over Janet’s choice: Draw

“I thought you were with us, Janet.” Danica said, with disappointment only a parent could muster.

“I couldn’t take from someone else!” Janet defended.

“You didn’t have to take at all!” Danica groaned. “Not that it matters now, at least you have a chance. I’m the one who’s fucked.”

“What the fuck is this, Harem Hotel: Friendship is Magic?” Al grumbled under his breath. His mood changed immediately when Janet’s card faded and was replaced by the Jack of Hearts.

“Now we’re talking, baby!”

Ronnie and Janet’s pair of Jacks pulled them to the top of the hand, followed by Luciana’s Ace, Vivian’s King, and Mallory’s Ten. Sarah’s Eight and Danica’s Four were bringing up the rear. Almost there… Vivian thought.

“Sarah is up next, and after getting mugged last round, let’s see what she’s got in store now.” Al flipped her card: Steal from Vivian.

Vivian couldn’t even feign anger, it was a smart move and she invited it on herself.

“Well played, Sarah.” Vivian said graciously.

“‘Well played’?” Al said. “You taught her how to be a conniving little bitch, at least show a little pride when she lives up to your standard. I always do.”

Sarah collected Vivian’s King, and her place in the hand. She looked extremely skeptical regardless.

“What?” Al said, noting Sarah’s intense doubt.

“I’m still expecting Vivian to pull a reverse Uno card on me somehow.”

“She already went, Sarah, and that’s a completely different game.” He gestured to Ruby in a ‘can you believe this?’ kind of way.

“It’s a metaphor!”

“Whatever you say.” Al pointed to the deck.

Up to the draw now.

Out came the Two of Diamonds.

Cooked.

Vivian’s head sank into her hands. She wanted to get up and run from the room, but her legs refused to move. Don’t cry. Don’t let them see it. She thought, but ultimately what was the fucking point? She was sitting there with one of the lowest possible cards. Vivian barely felt Janet’s hand slide under the table and grip her leash.

Don’t cry. Vivian felt the order penetrate her brain, and her complexion cleared. Vivian still felt like her insides were being blended, but she was at least able to hold it together thanks to the leash’s compulsion. She offered Janet a weak smile and a silent ‘thank you.’

“Are we, like, absolutely 100% certain that I can’t change my move?”

Vivian realized that Mallory hadn’t made her play yet, No… She wouldn’t have.

She did. Ruby flipped her card to read: Steal from Vivian.

“Well, well, well…” Ruby said, as the Two of Diamonds that had dragged Vivian to the bottom of the hand flew to Mallory. When Vivian pulled the Nine of Clubs, it was sealed.

It was the blonde’s turn to cry now, and she unfortunately lacked a magical leash to stem it. Danica reached out to comfort her, hurrying to pull her daughter in close, petting her hair as the girl sobbed into Danica’s still overlarge breasts.

“It will be ok, Mal.” Janet said. “I can share some points or something, we’ll make sure you’re ok.”

I… made it through. Vivian thought, staring at the cards. I…survived! In the hand even! She was still under a residual compulsion from Janet’s command, or she might have burst into tears of joy then and there.

But of course, it wasn’t over.

“Mikey, what’s it gonna be?” Al smiled like the devil himself. “You can boost one of your girls to the top, or spare your pretty daughter, but that puts sweet Danica right in the hot seat.” He slapped the table with both hands and leaned over it, his bulk imposing even at his short height. The table made a sizzling sound under his fingers that caused Vivian to cringe. She reached down and felt her own cheek through her dress. Not that she could physically feel the X permanently inked, but… she knew it was there.

Michael tented his fingers in front of his mouth and stared down at the card, lying on the table and representing so much power. As much as she wanted to stay in the hand, the thought of him wielding it was slightly intoxicating to Vivian. Like the day I met him, commanding the room.

Slowly he looked up at Danica, who softly nodded her head. But as he reached for the card, she placed her hand over his and stopped him.

“Not yet. Mallory, it’s time.”

“Now?!”

“Now.” Danica said firmly. “I’ve bailed you out plenty of times, and I’d do it forever because you’re my girl. But it’s time to own it.”

“What are you talking about?” Michael asked.

“You’ll see. Michael, you set a good example with your honesty tonight and, aside from a few missteps, I think you’ve set a good example as long as you’ve been her father. I think it’s time she lived up to it.”

“Yes, just like I was saying about Sarah and Vivian!” Al added.

“Nothing at all like that, you cretin. Mallory, you have the floor.” Danica released Mallory and stepped back, the others did as well, though no one was quite sure what they were worried she might do.

What on Earth?

Mallory stood, her hands quivering from fear. “I… uh…” She paused and rubbed her hand on her throat for a second, as if she didn’t trust her voice. When she felt satisfied, Mallory continued. “I need to apologize.”

“Mallory.” Michael said, blushing slightly. Even after those confessions? “We don’t need to talk about that night here. Not right now.”

“Not to you, dad.” She said. And based on the sharp inhales from Michael and Danica, even the “dad” was shocking. Vivian glanced to Ruby and Al, both of whom seemed eager for this new dramatic bombshell, whatever it was going to be.

“I need to apologize to Janet. I… I fucked Trent.” Mallory said. Janet didn’t react for a second. As if Mallory had just told her she’d eaten a bagel for breakfast, like it was something so trivial that she couldn’t understand the fuss.

“Like… before we were together?” Janet offered, hoping Mallory would take that lifeline. Vivian could tell she was searching in vain for a way out of this just as much as Mallory was.

“No. While you were together.” There was a chill over the room. “More than once- Ok… goddamn… It was frequent.”

“...But it ended soon afterward, right?” Janet said, showing the first cracks forming in the dam.

“I was… with him. The night this started.” Mallory said, her voice accelerating like she needed to get through it all before the plane hit the mountain. “That’s why I was naked. We were together. That night.” Mallory bit her lip. Vivian wasn’t sure if there was more to say there, but honestly, what more needed to be said?

Vivian saw Michael’s hand waver for a second, and a thought came to her. An opportunity? Could I convince him not to use it? Vivian saw that possibility and gamed it all out, instantly, the way she always did. The way she instinctively thought up three possible things to say to Michael, his most likely responses, and her counters. If it worked, she’d stay in the hand. Falling to 6th place wouldn’t mean elimination, but she’d get killed on points and have a near impossible hole to dig out from.

No. She thought. And that was that.

Vivian stepped over and put her arms around Janet, hoping to offer the same comfort the girl had offered her. Mallory looked almost as crushed, but what was there to do about that? What was done was done. She brought her shit into this game, same as me. Vivian thought. She wasn’t sure he needed it, she only hoped he’d consider her opinion. But Vivian nodded at Michael as well.

“Fuck” was all Michael could say, and Vivian couldn’t blame him. He slid the Joker over to Mallory, and when she touched it, the card on her body changed to match.

“And that’s how you play some fucking poker!” Al said.

[AN:

Thanks to everyone for voting! The final vote totals: Sarah 46, Vivian 43, Mallory/Luciana 40, Danica 38, Rhonda 36, Janet 32, with a 31-24 Yes vote for the Joker. After the random draw, the order is what you saw above.

Final results:

Mallory 1st place +30
Janet 2nd place +25 (+2 extra tfs)
Rhonda 3rd place +20 (+1 extra tf)
Luciana 4th place +15
Sarah 5th place +10

Vivian 6th place -25
Danica 7th place -30 (spread to others, +5 each)

Standings post round 3:

Feel free to drop any transformation ideas you’ve been sitting on in the comments, into my DMs, or leave it in the anonymous Google Form ]