THE 33 KEYS: Key 2 - ANSWER THE CALL "Listen for that Perfect Beat"

CHAPTER 28: ONLY FOOLS PLAY

On Saturday night, I race downstairs for the nine o'clock draw, wanting to win for the first time ever. Oh, I'll show them! I'll buy this damn place and throw all their asses out. That's what I'll do! That steam dies down when I see Matron Caine going up to her room, her feet on the second and third steps. I try my tiptoe run to escape. But instinct yanks her neck around.

"Miss Pethiel."

Dammit! Two more footsteps and the wall would've been my invisible cloak. I stop mid-run.

"Matron."

"Look at me when I'm talking to you."

I let my sigh breathe freely and turn around. Her snowed-on hair is imprisoned by a bun, making her look younger than usual. But her breasts are still small. I puff mine up with attitude.

"Yes, Matron Caine."

"What day is it?"

My eyes roll.

"Saturday."

What the heck am I? Your personal assistant?

"Saturday the what?"

"Saturday September 8th," I say beneath my breath.

"That's right. You barely have two weeks left. Shouldn't you be out looking for a job instead of haunting my hallways?"

"Don't worry, Matron. I'll be out of your hair soon enough."

I storm off before she responds and almost fall on my left swing. The handful of girls in the room stares at me as though I'm drunk. I ignore them and move towards Hazel in her green floral. By the time I plonk down into the seat, my steam is at spaceship proportions.

"What's wrong with your face? And why are you wearing all those clothes?"

"What do you mean?" I examine my face for cracks. "I don't feel anything."

"Your makeup isn't the problem. I meant your expression."

"I hate that bitch, that's what!" Then I glare at her. "Why the hell are you smiling?"

She hands me the white plastic bag from a side chair.

"Look what an angel delivered for God's two favourite girls."

"Look! I'm not in that kind of mood." I shove her hand aside. "Just call the damn numbers."

"If I had a job there, I'd tell you like yesterday."

"What?"

"We still have another minute till nine," Hazel explains.

"Aha!" I say when it hits me. "You just admitted that they know the draw beforehand."

"What? No. Mary Pethiel, that's not what I meant and you know it."

"Don't try to take it back now because......"

My words get cut off by the annoying music that is synonymous with the local gambling mafia, as I call them. I pull my ticket out. Oh, not again! Now I pull my ticket out and tense up.

"Seven," the man in the grey suit announces.

"Zero."

"Nine."

"Zero."

"Sixteen."

"Zero."

"Eighteen."

"Zero."

"Eight."

"One."

"Hey," Hazel says, smile cutting from ear to ear. "Your luck's changing."

"One filthy number?" I stand in desperation. "Now what the hell am I going to do?"

"Mary, you've been talking in riddles since you came down. Just tell me. What's going on?"

"I need a vacation," I blurt out. "I just need a break from all these damn problems. You know what? It's time I got out of here. I need some air."

"Don't forget the food."

I storm off with every intention of leaving it behind then remember I hadn't eaten for the day.

"You're welcome," Hazel shouts after me when I don't say thanks.

But I pretend not to hear her annoying little voice.