free parking

1

"You're not gettin' my orange, LaRusso!"

"Would ya quit actin' like a jerk, it's a good deal!"

Amanda, Carmen, and Louie watched with apt attention as Daniel attempted to convince Johnny into trading his orange property for cash that was desperately needed.

"If I give these to you, then I'm just gonna be screwed later!"

"Yeah, and I'm compensating if that happens!"

Amanda crossed her arms and bit her lip, eyes flitting back and forth between the two as they argued. Louie leaned over.

"Hey, you think Johnny's gonna give up soon?" he said quietly. "Daniel's really bustin' his chops."

"I don't know...," she shrugged, chewing her bottom lip. "Johnny's pretty stubborn. And so is Daniel."

"How's that work, then?"

"I think they'll just...argue 'til they die."

The impromptu game night had been Louie's idea, of course. Amanda had invited Johnny over for an early dinner, as well as Miguel and Carmen. Samantha and Anthony joined, and suddenly, the size of the dining room seemed to make more sense.

The night went on smoothly, with occasional bickering and teasing scattered here and there. Conversations about work, karate, whatever new reality show was restarting, bounced off the walls, filling the house with a life it wouldn't normally be hosting.

Once dinner ended, Sam gathered Miguel to drive out to Golf 'N Stuff, promising they'd be home before late. Anthony disappeared upstairs, leaving the adults in the room to figure out a way to stay occupied.

"Who's up for drinks?" Amanda suggested as they cleared the rest of the plates. There was a chorus of agreements, and Louie clapped his hands.

"Hey, I got a great idea," he said. "'cause we got so much time, we can play this drinkin' game I made up with my buddies."

"What buddies, Louie?" Daniel spoke up. "Not those bikers again."

"Y'know, just some friends from Jersey." He waves his hands, "Don't worry, boss, I ain't usin' your name or nothin'. We call it Shot-nopoly."

"Shot-nopoly?" Carmen repeated.

"Yeah, so it's like Monopoly, right, but you gotta take a shot when you pass Go," Louie nodded.

"A whole shot?" Daniel asked. "D'you know how many times you pass Go in Monopoly, Louie?"

"Well, you don't gotta finish the game." Louie looked around, waiting for someone to back up his idea, when Carmen raised her hand.

"We could play, but maybe we can do half-shots," she suggested. "I don't want to make Miggy try and drive me home later."

"I don't know, I have a feeling this might not end well," Daniel shook his head.

"What, can't you hold your liquor, LaRusso?" Johnny piped in, and Daniel shot him a look. Johnny pushed further, "Or, is all that business experience of yours just bullshit?"

"Hey, Johnny, I'm very good at Monopoly, alright?" he shot back as he pointed his finger. "I'd wipe the floor with you before you're even two drinks in."

"Oh, yeah? Get the board."

And that's how Shot-nopoly began.

Everyone grabbed their respective pieces (Daniel fighting Johnny over who got to be the car; Amanda eventually claimed it, passing the ship to Daniel and the cannon to Johnny). Louie grabbed the top hat, Carmen took the thimble, and the game was officially on. A bottle of unopened Patrón and a half-empty flask of rum sat ready and waiting, five shot glasses sitting in a line.