Instantly the pen that Alvin had stuck in his pocket before he left, flew through the air. Mid flight it was joined by a handful of quarters and a key chain. As the cluster of trinkets approached Susanne, they slowed abruptly and began to circle her outstretched palm, as if they were birds drawn to a hand containing feed. Suddenly, like someone had flipped a switch, they collapsed onto the floor. Susanne reached down quickly to pick them up.
"Sorry about that, I didn't mean to make a mess," said Susanne apologetically.
"You can manipulate magnetic fields," said Alvin, ignoring Susanne's apology
"That's cool, your like magneto or something," Nicholas said.
"Who's magneto?" Susanne asked.
"Seriously" Alvin said, skeptically, "I know who magneto is and I haven't opened a comic book in years."
Susanne stood up slightly straighter "comic book and other forms of modern fiction are distractions that waste our time and hold us back from being the best we can be." Before Alvin could say something in answer to Susanne, a voice came over to the intercom.
"PLEASE REPORT TO THE DINING AREA, REPEAT, PLEASE REPORT TO THE DINING AREA."
"Where's the dining area?" asked Nicholas.
"I thought I saw a door at the end of the hall, i'm guessing that leads to the dining area" Alvin said as he got up and headed for the door.
"Should we change into our uniforms before we go?" Nicholas asked again.
"Maybe, but i'm not going to," answered Alvin as he walked through the door.
The others followed him, but Nicholas stayed a moment to grab his green jacket before heading out the door.
The dining hall was painted the same dull grey as the landing and training room, the tables were the same color as the walls and the floor. In one corner was a huge buffet table. Behind the table was another door which, Alvin assumed, led to the kitchen. Team 1 was already seated and eating by the time Alvin arrived. He noted that, although none of them had their full uniforms on, they all wore blue jackets. It also appeared that one of them had set up a game of cards at the end of their table. Alvin wondered where they had possibly found a card set in this place, He would have to ask them later. Alvin served himself and took a table across from Team 1, Team 3 followed suit.
The food was unexpectedly good, much better than the food he ate at his school back home. Though the design of this place was ranked number 1 in lack of imagination it also had a master chef. While he ate, he watched Team 1's game of poker. There were two players One was of boy, he looked like he must be of Asian ancestry, Chung Zhang. Alvin estimated him to be about 5 feet seven inches when standing up. The other player was a girl. She looked to be about the same age as Alvin perhaps older. She was tall, even when sitting down. When standing she probably towered over him by several inches. She had long hair the color of blood, her eyes were Lincoln green. Her skin seemed almost unnaturally pale.
A member of team two and four also joined the game. As the game continued it became clear that the movement of money was one-sided. The Red haired girl from Team 1, seemed to win almost every hand. The player from team 4 accused her of cheating, but Alvin knew better, She was just good a bluffing and good at telling when other people were bluffing. Alvin watched her closely for any signs of a tell. He finally spotted it. A slight tremor in her left hand. It was most likely an unconscious gesture, but it could also be a purposeful fake tell. Alvin consider this, but thought it was worth the risk. As the player from team 4 finally stomped off in a fit of rage. Alvin walked to Diana
"Is it alright if I join the game?"
Diana took charge before any of the others could answer
"Were missing a player, you can play. Provide you have the cash to lose" she said with a smirk.
"I have no intention of losing anything" answer Alvin.
"We'll see" said Diana her voice dripping with confidence.
Alvin took a seat. He lost on purpose at first to make himself seem like a below average player, this put Diana and the others off guard and allowed him to win a pile of his own. Yet it wasn't as big as Diana's. Soon all the other players either ran out of money or were unwilling to lose what little they had left. Diana and Alvin were the only ones still playing.
"You know I could just out bet you" She said in a palpable effort to remind Alvin who was wining.
"Where's the fun in that?"
Alvin was not afraid of her out betting him. One look at her and any one could tell that she was the type of person that liked to win because she was the better player, not because she happened to have more cash.
When the cards were dealt again Alvin felt a strange urge to pocket one of them.
He glanced at Diana, she was looking at the dealer not him. It was now or never Alvin slipped the card into his sleeve.
The minute he did he regretted it, he was certain that both the dealer and Diana had seen him. Desperately he tried to keep his facial expression neutral. If either saw him they said nothing. Alvin lost some bills in that round. Before they could continue a server, dressed in a white uniform under a black apron, exited the kitchen doors and walked in a slow rhythm to their table. Once he arrived he methodically picked up each plate one by one. He kept his head down, not once looking up at those around him till after all the plates were clear. Then, most unexpectedly, he made eye contact first with Diana and then with Alvin. When he looked into Alvin eyes he felt that he was trying gleam some understanding from him.
"The dinning hall will be closing shortly" The server said with the utmost professionalism. Then in one motion he handed an envelope to both Diana and Alvin, then glided to the other table and began the same routine.
As Alvin watch him he noticed the carefulness and deliberateness of his movement. Something in the way he moved made him seem more like part of the scenery than a man.
"We better hurry. Should we end it here?" Said Diana
"Do you really want to end in a draw?"
"I would hardly call it a draw. I think its clear I'm winning"
"But you haven't won yet. Lets at least continue till closing "
"Fine"
They were each dealt a hand. Alvin hoped for the best and lifted his cards from the table. He couldn't have been more surprised. He turned to Diana she was looking at her own cards, not even trying to hide the smile on her face. Before she could lift her head Alvin replaced one of his card with the one in his sleeve, it was if his mind had acted without his consent.
"Last round," declared Diana impudently "Winner takes all."
"Last round" agreed Alvin.
"Call " said Diana "Four queens," She began scoop up the money.
"Wait" said Alvin "Four Aces"
Diana first expression was one of shock then of horror, and it sent a pang of guilt through Alvin.
"The Dinning Hall is now closed. " sounded the intercom.
Alvin gathered up the cash and left Diana speechless.
