Gamble

The hand finishes and the other two players stand and take their money leaving Bruce alone with his sizeable winnings. With a deep breath, you make your way over to the poker table, your heart racing. Bruce looks up, sizing you up with a smirk. “You wanna play?” He asks, laying down his cards face down. You nod, trying to look more confident than you feel. The librarian moves aside, watching with a knowing glint in her eye.

“I hear you play with taking an x-change pill as the stakes… I’m in.” You say.

Bruce's eyes widen, and he laughs. "You're brave, I'll give you that. Alright, but it's a high-stakes table. You got what it takes to keep up?"

You nod, trying to keep your nerves in check as you take a seat. The librarian sidles up beside you, whispering, "Remember, his tell is when his hands shake."

The game begins, and Bruce deals the cards with the finesse of a seasoned pro. You play cautiously, watching his every move. The first few hands are tense, but you keep your cool, playing the odds and waiting for the moment. Finally, you catch the tremble in his hand as he makes a ludicrously high bet. You know it's his bluff.

You push a pile of chips into the pot and match his bet with a smile that's more confidence than you feel. The librarian's eyes widen, and she gives you an encouraging nod. You lay down your cards, revealing a mediocre hand, but you know it's enough. Bruce's smug expression falters as he flips his hand over to show a bluff. The room goes quiet. The librarian's grin is almost predatory as she watches the realization dawn on him.

With a dramatic flourish, you produce an X-Change pill from your pocket. It's a Pink Basic, the most popular variant for those looking to dip their toes into the gender-swapping waters of Summer City. The bar erupts into a mix of laughter and shock. Bruce's jaw drops, and you can almost see the cogs in his head turning as he tries to decide how to respond.