The Adaptive Game

"BIG SHOT"

- Emilia

"Come on. We're gonna aim high."

"I don't understand. We have to go AGAINST each other."

"They just said we have to get out of here with 20 shangais. So we're gonna get them from Jarred."

"So, walk over and ask nicely?"

"No, we're gonna challenge them. Winner takes all."

"How are we gonna win?!"

"Well, violence isn't allowed in this game so we'll use it to our advantage! We have smarts, and the more strategies they don't see coming the more we'll get. And we're taking down Jarred AND his teammate in the process."

"This is a risky bet."

"We live for risk. Let's go."

When we get there, Jarred is on the verge of breaking his partner's nose.

"I swear to god, you're cheating, Stallguy."

"I'm not! Dude. You're already so predictable."

"That's it!"

Jarred goes to the guard watching them.

"We want to switch the game."

"WE?! I'm winning, I'm not gonna do this."

"You may switch the game if you wish." The triangle guard says.

"ACTUALLY! We're gonna challenge you." Conner exclaims.

"Who?" Jarred queries.

"The guys you tried to kill during the riot."

"EMA! I'm not gonna do this shit."

This time, I jump in.

"Oh. So, how're you gonna win?"

Conner smiles. This plan is gonna work.

"We'll manage. We don't need your help."

"Hmmmm. But your friend is winning. What are you gonna do? Both escape?"

"ARRRGH! FINE! But I choose the game. You two are going down."

Instead of objecting, Stall agrees to play.

"Oh, hell yeah. Let's get these two out of our way."

"Alright, let's do a milk jug contest. I'll stack up some obstacles and the more you knock over with one stone, the more points you get. Three rounds, one throw each."

Jarred gets two stones and gives one to Conner. Then, he starts setting up things to knock over. A bunch of stones are stacked in a pyramid form. They're really stable.

Jarred comes back and takes the rock from Stallgun.

"Hey! I wanted to throw first."

"No, I will. And, I'll win this."

For the first round, Conner takes the stone. Jarred throws it and it knocks down 4 out of the 6 stones on his pyramid. Then Conner throws it and knocks down only 2.

"See... you might as well give up now."

"I don't give up."

Jarred sets up both towers again, and then Conner whips his rock at the structure and knocks everything on it over.

I do a fist pump and slap Conner on the back.

"STRIKE! Nice throw!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Come on. Last round." Jarred begrudgingly says.

He passes the stone to Stallguy and sets up the towers again.

"Give the stone to the girl."

"Huh?"

"We're switching people. It's only fair."

Emilia stands on her toes and whispers into my ear.

"Don't do it... This isn't a good idea."

Stallgun has already thrown his stone, he knocks down 5 of them.

"Emilia. You've got this. I'll stand aside."

Emilia takes the stone from me and walks over to make her throw.

Jarred laughs.

"Come on, Ema. Now's your chance to be a big, big shot."