no more counting dollars; we'll be counting stars

[attitude]

Gambling is, in some ways, the perfect pastime for a pessimist. Faye goes in with every expectation that she'll lose whatever money she invests, but feels just enough thrill over the odds that watching a horse race still makes her heart leap. It's the one thing that Jet could never understand — Faye swindles to earn money.

She gambles for the thrill.

But the best thing about being a pessimist is, inevitably, when things go Faye's way. And today, she's all smiles as she clutches the winning ticket to her chest, weaving through the crowd and grinning more broadly with every disappointed expression she encounters, the click of her boots light as she rushes over to collect her earnings.

"I'll take the winnings in cash, please," she says to the bookie, who rolls his eyes in response. "Oh, don't judge. You'd be excited over winning yourself a shopping spree, too."

"Half."

Faye arches a brow. "Excuse me?"

"Half," the bookie repeats, scrolling through his computer screen. "Someone else made the same bet, so you'll be splitting the winnings with them."

"Are you kidding me?" Faye asks incredulously, nose wrinkling. "I made sure that I picked a bet well against the odds; what moron would take those same odds?"

Comments

[concluded]

"This moron," comes a voice from behind the woman, a little too chipper to be entirely in earnest. House clops and lmps his way quickly up to the bursar's window the bookie is standinding behind, waving the ticket and pushing in beside her obnoxiously.

"After all. Winning's no fun if it's a sure thing. What's the point in gambling away your money if it's not for entertainment? Only an idiot does it to actually make a profit."