Fair Game

As happy as Frankie was to be the one picking what terrible competition she was about to face off in, the girl’s boldness served well to intimidate her.

“My name is Maxine Portman. Kicking ass runs in my blood, so if you want even a chance at victory, you’d better pick something you think you can win.”

Maxine chewed her gum again, half-frustrated at having to take her time to trash talk. Bored though she may have looked, her crossed arms created a defiant figure that drove Frankie up a wall.

“I’m Frankie, and this is Katie. And we’ve seen everything already, so don’t get cocky.”

“Seen everything, huh? Have you seen the face of death?” The teen edgily postured.

“More than I’d like to admit. And I can see right through that attitude of yours. You’re just an angry kid.”

“Oh yeah?” Maxine began to stare at the young woman. Like a judge, she began to inquisit every part of her. “You… look like you grew up lonely. Am I right? You’ve got a look to you too, y’know. Old, but not quite mature. Like an oversized child. And that sister of yours is no better. So before you go and call me a kid, think about who’s talking.”

“You’re starting to piss me off.”

“So pick your game already! Already know I’m gonna beat you…”

Frankie looked to her sister. They hadn’t seen many games on the way here. Denny’s ring toss? Not a chance. She was forced to think up something a little less obvious.

“Willow.”

“Yes?” Continuing to rock, the old woman was enjoying all this.

“You’re 100% impartial, yeah? And you’re not able to help either of us in either way?”

“That’s right.”

“You pick. Can’t hurt if it’s something neither of us are good at, right?”

“I’d be happy to.”

Maxine snickered.

“My one skill is that I’m good at anything I try, dumbass. Don’t throw away your only advantage.”

“I’m not too worried.” Frankie sparked, twisting the kid’s burning mind and making her squash her gum inside her teeth.

“I’ve got one game you can play that’s as fair as it gets, if you’d like.” Willow rose from her chair and took a nostalgic glance at the TV before walking back up to the bushes hiding the area. “The hands of nature are more fair than those of man anyway.”

Following the designer back outside, she pointed to the closest exit of the rainy western sector- not towards the only local coaster or the other watchtower, but some other area entirely.

When they left the cloudy forest at last, the wetness of the simulated downpour remained on them. As did Maxine’s unbreakable confidence, even as she stood in front of the great arena Willow had led them to.

In the dryest clearing of the forest, a plot of sand was constructed, more real than the hard stuff in the Eagle Frontier. Up ahead, they heard the sounds of a dozen stomping pads inside the wide racing ring.

“Camel racing has always been a popular Wildland Expedition tradition. In proportion to your lives, at least.”

The gambler knew this. She’d bet on races plenty of times, even. What she didn’t expect was participating in one herself. But how hard could it be, really? She silenced any whispers of doubt inside her.

“Have any of you ever raced a camel before?” Willow asked, to no response. She chuckled. “I thought not. Now let’s go have us a fair game.”

Frankie and Maxine both fixed their gaze ahead as they traveled, making a point not to look at each other as if their opponent wasn’t even their largest concern in the moment. Katie too had a direct stare towards the destination, but only because she was so excited to ride a camel.