I don't cheat... For jungeverloren

[call_me_snake]

It hadn’t been too hard to convince Mathis to have a drink with him or the second one for that matter. Now he’d lost track. Mathis had become silly, maybe it was just his own liquor consumption. It was hard to say. Still it was fun to prod at the boy to make an ass of himself. At least here, in Snake’s shop, the worst that would happen wasn’t so bad. Plissken would watch out for him.

“There’s got to be something I can beat you at.” Mathis had stopped bouncing like a ping pong ball just long enough to look thoughtful.

“When you think of something you let me know.” Snake grinned as he downed his drink.

“You’re drunk.” Mathis declared as he pointed a wavering yet accusing finger at Snake.

“Not as much as you are, boy.” Snake sat there at the table amused.

“I am not drunk.”

Snake laughed. “Then get over here and sit your ass down. We’ll test that.”

Mathis ambled over toward the table and nearly missed the chair. The card table wobbled as he bumped wildly into it. “What game?”

“Arm wrestling.” Snake smiled.

Mathis got wide-eyed. “That’s not fair.”

“Sure it is.” Snake poured another drink for himself. “I’ll use my off hand and you can use both yours.”

Mathis mulled over the prospect of this challenge while Snake downed the shot and poured another. Almost half the bourbon bottle was emptied and almost all of it by Snake.

“Alright but no cheating.”

Snake cocked a brow. “How the hell do you cheat at arm wrestling?”

“I don’t know.” Mathis shifted around in the chair. “If anyone found a way it would be you.”

Snake laughed at that and shook his head. “You really think I’m that bad.”

“Yes.” Mathis answered without a thought.

“Well. I’m flattered.” Snake chuckled as he set his arm on the table.

Mathis watched dubiously. “Hey. I thought you were using your off hand.”

Plissken looked at his arm then Mathis. “This is my off hand.”

“You’re left handed?” Mathis said it like some great secret had been unveiled.

“Yeah.” Snake waited for the boy, lighting a cigarette with his free hand.

This time Mathis took hold of his hand with one, then both, then another position. Snake watched curiously as he took a drag off his cigarette. “Ready?”

Mathis nodded.

“On three.” Snake smiled and counted down before locking up his bicep. Mathis started pulling with his whole body then promptly gave up.

“Hey! You’re cheating.” Mathis accused as he gave Plissken’s arm another tug.

“How?” Snake looked over at the boy amused.

“I don’t know.”

“Then how do you know I’m cheating?” Plissken started to pull Mathis’ hand toward the table top.

“I... I don’t.” Mathis strained against Plissken’s hand.

“Because I’m not.” Snake yanked Mathis and the back of his hand hit the table. He almost fell. Plissken had to catch him. “Think you’ve had enough.”

“But...” Mathis wanted to protest.

“If you can’t walk to the car I’m locking you in.” Snake threatened.

Mathis nodded and went to get his coat. “You were cheating.” He grumbled.

“No.” Snake came up beside him. “You are drunk.”

Words: 537