A Wager
The room was barely lit by a single candle placed at the center of a long table. Darkness shrouded all but this single object. At one end, a tall man stood. He wore a pinstriped suit and in his right hand was a simple walking cane adorned with a silver skull. The shadows covered his face, hiding his devilish features, all but two eyes that appeared as if red flames within the darkness.
"You are as small minded as ever old friend," the man said with a bit of a chuckle, his voice smooth, cunning.
Opposite the suited man sat another. This man wore a suit similar to the other, but he neglected to button his jacket and his tie was loose on his neck, giving him the appearance of one at the end of a long day's work. The light of the candle lit the man's face, revealing his ragged, stone edged features and his unkempt, grey hair and five o'clock shadow. He stared at the man opposite him with bloodshot eyes.
"Am I," the tired looking man asked, his voice rough, but wise, "Do you truly believe them to be so ignorant?"
The tall man stared at his colleague for a time, taking in his question. For a moment, he began to pace, as if pondering what his response should be. The man then lifted his cane off of the ground and pointed it toward the tired man at the other end of the table. A smile crossed his face, though it was still hidden by the darkness.
"How about a little wager then?"
