The Mansion of Trials and Trials

Another Bet

C!?

I cried in my heart.

"Before he apologizes, why don't you have a bet with me first, Mr. Max?" C grinned wickedly. Max raised his eyebrow.

"What bet?"

"It's simple. I'm going to do the exact same thing that you just did. Pick the ball with the number '1'. But this time, I'm going to add another set and pick the probability of one over one hundred and twelve within one minute. If I lose, I will apologize to you like Mr. Brian. But if I win, it is not Mr. Brian but YOU who will apologize to me." C pointed at him.

"HA!" Max guffawed, "Do you really think you can beat me?"

"..............why don't you confirm it by yourself?"

"Puppet! Can you bring in another box?" C shouted.

"Hehe.....things are getting more and more interesting, aren't they?" Puppet whispered softly. She came back with another big box, putting the seventy-five balls inside. Another countdown number also floated right in the middle of the air, a one-minute countdown, that girl must be enjoying this, I believed. Sweating, the probability of getting the number '1' ball is one over one hundred and twelve. The possibility is very low. This is ridiculous! I thought. Yet, I couldn't understand why C still had a smile on his face. Perhaps he has some kind of method to win.

He stood in front of the box and put both hands through the hole like Max. Observing him, I had no idea why he needed to use both hands to pick up a ball. Anyway, the countdown had already started. There were only 58 seconds left.

Moving his hands, C concentrated on staring at the hole. He couldn't see anything from it but his eyes never blinked. The box shook and vibrated vigorously. Although I didn't know why, his hands must be moving fast. Sounds of balls rolling and bouncing emerged from the box. I gazed at the countdown, only 43 seconds left.

C continued to focus, same as his hands, his eyes moved in all directions, as if he was hoping that he could see where the ball was. Drops of sweat fell down from his face one by one, tapping his feet, he got even more worried. Even though we were miles away from each other, his anxiousness touched and crept near my skin. There were only 30 seconds left.

BANG!

C lifted up the box from inside, slid it and smashed it towards the table, creating a huge banging sound. I nearly jumped. Sounds of balls rolling everywhere. I held my breath and peeked at the countdown. Only 15 seconds left.

"Argh....!" He muttered in distress. The sounds coming from the box got louder. Max began to smile wickedly, the fewer the time, the broader his smile was. Isn't he such a nasty one?!

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

"Time's up!" Puppet shouted.

"Wanderer! Please show me your ball!" C didn't move. He lowered his head and stood there in front of the box with one hand holding the ball.

"Hello? Wanderer, please show me your ball." Puppet repeated. C didn't reply.

"HEY! DON'T JUST STAND THERE! TELL US WHAT NUMBER YOU PICK!" Max shouted. Puppet took the ball from C by force instead. I swallowed my saliva.

"Hmm......let me see..........." Puppet glared at the ball, her eyes widened with a smile. She giggled softly. What number did he pick? I wondered anxiously. Why couldn't she just announce the result?!