Gambling for Sleep

“No words can even express the service you've done for our town… and Matthew the giant ball of twine.” Mayor Rolland shook my hand, personally thanking me.

Standing back in the center of town, in the exact spot I had woken up this morning, all the dice people… and Matthew had gathered to congratulate me on my victory. After the craps game, Sir Crapington and his Slotomatons packed up the giant game table and were permanently banished from Dice Town. The only dice person who wasn't present for this gathering was Rollnaldo, who was nowhere to be seen after the game concluded.

“By my authority as mayor, I grant you a pardon for all your crimes and would also like to present to you this token of our appreciation.” The mayor held out a black folded up piece of fabric. “This here in my arms is an official trademarked Dice Town hoodie from our town's own gift shop.”

The twelve residents of Dice Town who were all in attendance excitedly clapped and cheered. Matthew the twine ball was silent, yet emitted a strangely gracious aura.

I took the shirt from him and held it up in my hands. “Oh… uh… thanks… you wouldn't also carry any pants in that gift shop, would you?”

He shook his head. “No, unfortunately that hoodie is the only article of clothing we sell.”

I guess it's better than nothing.

I slipped on the black hoodie that read, ‘DICE TOWN’ in plain yellow letters across the chest. It wasn't the most appealing sweatshirt in the world, but at least it was something. I still lacked pants, however.

“There’s one final thing we would like to present to you as a symbol of our gratitude. Please, if you would, Sheriff.” Removing his top hat and phony mustache and replacing it with his cowboy hat, Rolland turned his Western accent back on and became the sheriff. “We citizens of dice town would like to present you with this key to the city, partner.” In my hand, he placed an average looking gold spray painted key.

I would have preferred cash…

I shrugged and stuck it in my sweatshirt pocket.

As the gathering continued, something crossed my mind. “Hey sheriff, let's say hypothetically someone was magically transported to this world and needed to find their way back to their own world. Do you happen to know of anyone who could help with that?”

“Hm, that's a peculiar question, partner.” He thought about it for a moment. “The only person who would possibly have that knowledge is the Kasino King.”

“I see, and where would one go to see him?” I wondered.

“He mostly resides in his palace in the High Roller Province, but that's on the entire opposite side of the continent.” He continued.

“How long of a journey would you say that is?”

He looked at me surprised. “You're not actually thinking about doing that, are you, partner?”

I raised my shoulders. “Who knows?”

There was definitely no way I was going to spend the rest of my life in this weird little dice person town. Even if I didn't necessarily make it all the way across the continent, there had to be somewhere better than here.

Feeling exhausted from this chaotic day, I let out a yawn. “Is there somewhere I can go to crash for the night?” The poker chip shaped sun was already setting, so there was no point in leaving now.

“There are some rooms at the saloon, but that's sort of damaged at the moment…” The sheriff put his index finger under his mouth while he thought. “It might not be the most luxurious, but with that conman, Rollnaldo, missing, the jail is free for the night, partner.”

At this point, I didn't even care. I just wanted to sleep. Who knew gambling could be such a drain?

After the lackluster award ceremony, which didn’t even include any free food, concluded, I headed back to the jail. Pushing the two small beds in the cell together the long way, I attempted to make them semi-sleepable. The moment my body sprawled across the stiff sheetless mattresses, I went completely out.

🎲🎲🎲

“Pst, Lucky.” A voice whispered in my ear.

Thinking it was just my imagination, I ignored it and remained asleep.

“Hey, wake up.” It spoke again.

I continued sleeping through it, assuming it was just my sleep paralysis demon or something.

“Seriously, wake the pip up!”

There was sudden sharp crack across my cheeks (the face kind), which immediately woke me up.

In the dark room, a small cube shaped figure loomed over me… rather than it being my sleep paralysis demon, it was just Rollnaldo.

“Can't this wait until morning?” I groaned.

“Technically I'm supposed to be locked in this cell right now, so no.” He responded.

I sat up and stared at him. “I’m heading out in the morning, so I doubt it's anything I can help you with.”

He let out a chuckle. “That’s where you're wrong kiddo. We're actually leaving right now.”

“I don't know what you're trying to rope me into, but I'm good.” I laid my head down, and attempted to fall back asleep.

Rollnaldo snapped his fingers in my ears. “I overheard your conversation with Sheriff Rolland while I was hiding in a nearby trash can. You're planning on traveling to the High Roller Province. If your claim that you're not from this world is correct, you're going to need someone to guide you there.”

I hated to admit it, but he did have a point. I knew nothing about this world, let alone where to even go.

“Alright, you can tag along, but can't we just meet up outside of town in the morning?”

“No can do. Everyone will notice what I’m about to do by morning. Since I got you pardoned and coached you through that craps game, I don't think it's too much to ask for a tiny favor.” He began to guilt trip me.

I let out a reluctant breath. “What do you need?”

“Oh it's nothing major… It's just that you were given the key to the city. It just so happens that my confiscated merchandise is being held in the town hall, so…”

“So you want me to help you steal it back.”

“Look at you reading my mind.” He smirked

🎲🎲🎲

Covered by the darkness of night, Rollnaldo and I stood in front of a set of green double doors, leading into yet another half scale sized building.

Pointing at the door handle then to my hoody’s pocket, Rollnaldo signaled for me to pull out the key. Taking it in my hand and bringing it up to the lock, I went to shove it in…

“Shoot, this is just some random key that they spray painted gold.” I spoke as quietly as humanly possible.

“Ah pip! Looks like we're gonna have to find another way in.” He inspected the exterior of the building for a moment. “There's a window up there. Boost me up.”

Lifting him up to a ledge that I probably could have just reached myself, he began to pry at the window. Just as he managed to get it to pop open, he suddenly froze.

“What's the matter?” I whispered.

He ducked his head off to the side of the window. “This is the window to the mayor's bedroom!”

“Maybe this isn't a good idea after all.”

“He's in his bed, sleeping. If I just tip toe past him, I can get to the lower level and unlock the door.”

Before I could give any input, he crawled into the room through the window. There was a brief moment of silence and suspense, followed by a click from behind the entrance door. The set of double doors slowly creeped open. Rollnaldo came out dragging a small two wheeled wooden chart with a number of wooden crates stacked on top of it.

“Like taking candy from a baby.” He joked.

With his cart now in hand, the two of us set out into the desert under the moonlight…