Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: GAMBLE (04/14/16)
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TITLE: Gambler's Ruin | Previous Challenge Entry
By Amanda Septer
04/20/16 -
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Ronan turned and located the owner of the voice standing just outside the glow of the torchlight.
“What are you doing here?”
“Not happy to see me soldier?” he asked with a low wheezing chuckle.
“My business is settled with you.”
“Relax, I’m not here for you.“ The old man rasped.
Ronan didn’t relax. He hated this man. He hated his need for him.
“What’s with this strange weather?”
Ronan stood silent.
“To them you may be the governor’s soldier but I know you.” The man whispered menacingly.
The two men glared at each other. Cursing his weakness Ronan broke his silence.
“Since you’re here, I have something you might want.”
A nasty grin spread across the older man’s face. He reveled in the power he held over the young soldier.
“What is it?”
Ronan pulled out a dirty garment.
“What is this? You trying to pass that off as a royal bath towel?”
“I thought you knew me.” Ronan sneered.
Ronan provided some of the old man’s best wares. Things he’d pick off wealthy prisoners or occasionally a sandal or dish from governor’s house.
“Fine, whose is it?”
“The one in the middle.” Ronan said calmly, nodding over his left shoulder.
He enjoyed watching the color drain from the old man’s face.
“H-How did you get it?” he asked as he cleared his throat.
“What’s wrong? You love stuff from dead people. Gives your clients a good story.” Ronan needled.
“He’s not dead yet. How did you get it?” He demanded.
“I won it.”
“Of course you did.” He muttered.
Winning gave Ronan the rush he chased after. He needed to be at the games tonight to continue his streak. The need to push his luck further required money he didn’t have.
“This will make a great story. The guy thought he was some kind of king.”
Fear flashed across the older man’s face.
“That’s not the one they call Jesus?”
“Yes. You’ve heard of him? See, it’s a great story.”
The old man took a step back.
“I don’t want anything to do with that?”
“What, why?” Ronan asked.
“There is more than one body attached to that. Didn’t you hear his follower Judas hung himself? Said he had betrayed innocent blood. Your governor couldn’t find fault in him either.”
Ronan didn’t know how he got his information but the old man missed nothing.
“You are a suspicious old fool.”
“Maybe, but even you can see that the sky is black in the middle of the day. What’s that, coincidence?”
Ronan couldn’t argue with that. It had been black for almost three hours now.
“You’ve been dealing with grave robbers too long. What do you think is going to happen? He’s going to come back from the dead and ask for his clothes back? If he’s who he claims to be then why doesn’t he save himself?”
“Don’t get smart with me.” The old man snapped. “I’m not the one who needs the money.”
Ronan clenched his jaw shut. Anger and desperation battled within him. Desperation won out. He opened his mouth to try a new angle when the man on the cross behind him yelled out.
The old man jumped back another step and Ronan whipped around. One of his brothers in arms was running to get the dying man a drink when another stopped him to see if Elijah would save the King of the Jews.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Ronan groaned. The dramatics were killing his deal. He needed that money.
Once again Jesus yelled out, and then died. The ground beneath the soldier started to shake. The old man yelped, turned and tried to run. Ronan struggled to keep his balance as he made his way over to the others. Suddenly all was still. The members of the guard stared at one another. What had just happened? Ronan watched his commander step forward.
“Truly this was the son of God!”
Awe, mixed with fear, replaced the desperation that had been holding Ronan captive for so long. He looked at the garment still clutched in his fist. There was no longer satisfaction in his win. It was now a symbol of what he had done to the Son of God. He followed the crowd back down the hill, beating his chest. He did not see the old man among them and Ronan would not search him out again. The King of the Jews had irrevocably ruined him.
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Fictional story based on events of Matthew 27:32-54
Gambler’s Ruin: A gambler with finite wealth, playing a fair game, will eventually go broke against an opponent with infinite wealth.
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Blessings~
Blessings~
Blessings~
Blessings~
Very creatively done.