Plastic Love: New Horizons

Chapter 27: Game of Life

The occasional squeak of a chew toy and the crackling from the small fireplace in Murdoc's study could be heard, along with the bassist's typing on his laptop. His black rectangle glasses perched on his nose. Wisps of smoke came from his pipe. The man had taken a shine to smoking it ever since Plastic Beach, so he switched between it and his cigarettes.

Every time he had his captain's attire on, Araiya would tease him and call him Murdoc the Sailor man.

The door to the room was slightly cracked and the smell of something sweet came wafting in. Rei must be making her oatmeal raisin cookies, and Murdoc loved those. They were perfectly sweet with the right amount of the dried up fruit in them, and weren't too soft or too hard. Those cookies were baked just right. He'd go down there in a few minuets and see if they were done.

On his computer screen was the website of  the local seafood restaurant. He was going to take her there after he proposed which was within the first week of May. The beach would be the place and it would be later afternoon.

This was going to be one giant leap for him and one gargantuan step for his whole entire life.

Brenna, began to growl in that cute way he and Rei had heard whenever she saw a squirrel.

"What are you growling about over there?" Murdoc didn't even look up from his laptop.

"Finally going on the shelf. Never thought I'd see the day. You surprise me Niccals."

Murdoc's ears perked up at the voice. He knew that voice, it was the voice of the being he'd been worshiping since he was sixteen years old, and the man was in his human form which he's also stood in front of throughout his life. Peering over the top of his computer, Murdoc saw Lucifer sitting in the armchair by the fireplace. The man wanted something.

"Why are you here?"

"To see how my loyal follower was doing."

The bassist closed his laptop. "You never pop in just to have tea and scones. What do ya want?"

The Devil gave a mock look of being hurt. "I try and be nice and this is what I get in return. I don't understand..." he stood up and leaned on the mantle turning his head to look at Murdoc. "Okay so you sniffed me out."

"People who worship you know that you always want something in return whenever they ask you to grant them the things they want."

"True, but I'm here to ask you if you could do me a favor."

"If it involves me playing Indiana Jones, I'm not doing it. Last time I did something like that, I almost died."

"You got what I wanted and you're still alive. That's the only thing that matters an this time it doesn't involve anything extremely dangerous. I want you to catch a demon for me. He's been ignoring my calls for him to come back down."

"Give some demons an inch and they take a mile. Why can't you get some other poor sap to do it?"

"Because you're the only one who can do it. He's like you in a way. A drinker, smoker, and has a fine eye for women. Plus he's a gambling man."

"And there's something wrong with that?"

"The first three no, but the forth yes. You see he plays men and women with some pretty high stakes."

"What kind of high stakes?"

"He makes bets with people using the years on their lives."

"What?"
"You heard me. That's how he gets his power and he wasn't powerful to begin with."

"How does he lure his victims?"

"Poker is his game, and he makes the bet once they agree to play. All you have to do is win a game." he took out a picture from the inside of his jacket. "This is what he looks like. He goes by the name of Fred and he usually hangs out in the seedy part of town."

"Is he here in Southend?"

"No, Basildon. There's an alley next to the bar. Lure him and get him in the entrapment circle that's in between the two dumpsters there. I'll take care of the rest."

Murdoc sighed. "What if I don't accept this little task?"

Lucifer's face became void of any emotion. He lifted his hand extending his arm to Murdoc and curled it into a fist squeezing.

The bassist felt his chest tighten and he was forced to sit back down. His eyes widened as he clutched at his heart. A coughing fit began and he waved his hand around in conceding to do the job. "Okay...I'll do...it...."

Lucifer released his grip. "I knew you'd come to your senses. You have a week."
Murdoc winced when he moved add he watched the Devil just fade away. Brenna came running up to him and whined.

"I'm okay girl..." he pet her on the head,  stood up, and walked out of the study heading downstairs with the dog on his heels. The smell of cookies were stronger and when he entered the kitchen, he got full blast. The bassist saw Rei at the sink cleaning up.

She looked over her shoulder an smiled. "Cookies should be done in 10 minuets."

"I just remembered that I have some business to take care of so I'll be back for those cookies." he walked over to the coat rack by the door and put his jacket on. Grabbing the keys from the hook, Murdoc walked out the door and left leaving a puzzled artist in his wake.

_____________________________________________________

Murdoc arrived where the demon would hang out at and Lucifer was right, it was a shady part of the city. He parked the car and walked down the street to the bar called The Black Raven that the demon always hung out at. He entered it and walked towards the counter. He garnered some looks but nothing too serious and sat down in one of the stools.

The bartender who was cleaning a glass came up to him. "Wot can I get ya?"

"I'm looking for a man named Fred."

The round man stopped polishing the glass and looked at him. "You owe him money or are you coming back to play again?"

"So he is good. I wanna play him and see how good he is. Is he here?"

He pointed to a table way in the back where a red headed man was sitting with a couple of women drinking. "Right over there."

"Thanks." he got up and walked to the table. "You Fred?"

The disguised demon looked up. "Yeah, and who are you?"

"The man who's going to send you back to Hell because you've been up here too long."
Fred dismissed the women. "Sit."

The bassist parked his rear into the chair across from him.

"Why don't you tell me your name first?"

"Murdoc Niccals."

"Wait,  Murdoc Niccals? Your name's been passed around down there."

Murdoc smirked. "I'm still alive and my reputation proceeds me down there. Excellent."

"I'm just gonna get straight to the point. Beelzebub wants you back in Hell permanently and like I said, I'm here to bring you back to him."

"Well, I'm not going without putting up a fight." he took out a deck of cards and put it on the middle of the table. "Play me. If you win, I'll go back to Hell peacefully, but if I win, I take you life. I know you've heard how I play." He then opened a box taking out two stacks of poker chips. "What do you say?"

"I'll play you only in three days time. I have prior engagements to attend to." Murdoc stood from his seat.

"Then we'll shake on it." The demon held out his hand.

The bassist looked at the hand for a moment then shook it. "Deal. See ya in a few days." Murdoc walked out of the bar and back to Stylo. He got in and sat there for a few minuets. He felt a tingling sensation in his hands and he looked at them. They weren't so thin and bony looking anymore. Murdoc looked at his face in the rear view mirror, and saw that the crows feet that had been forming at the corner of his eyes were gone as well. Even some of the bags that were under his eyes had disappeared too. "So he gives a free sample on what people can have if they agree to play him. Interesting...."

Murdoc had a spell in mind and he did pass a shop that sold Pagan and Wiccan things. Starting the car, he made a U-Turn and dove off.

________________________________________________________

A couple hours later, he returned home carrying the items in a paper bag. He sat it on the table and took the things out putting them on the island counter.

"What's all that?" Rei had come into the kitchen.

"Ingredients."

"For what?"

"A potion."

"What ritual are you going to do this time."

"No ritual...." Murdoc figured he might as well tell her. "I got a visit from Lucifer a few hours ago and he wants me to catch a demon for him. I have a week to do it."

"Why you?" Rei frowned.

"Said somethin' about how this thin' was kinda like me."

"Satan himself put you out as a hired hand."

"I said no but he induced a heart attack on me, and that wasn't a pleasant feeling."

Rei shook her head. She still didn't tell him about their little meeting in her dream. The man down below didn't make any threat to her if she did tell. "What's this demon like?"

"He is kinda like me, plus he's a gambler."

"What's his game?"

"Cards. He bets with the years on people's lives."

Araiya's face fell at that statement. "You're not serious?"

"I'm very serious. That's how he's getting his power." he looked at Rei's face. "I won't lose because I have a plan."

Later that evening, Murdoc was stirring a sapphire blue potion in a pot. A leather bound journal like book was propped up on the counter next to the stove.

Araiya leaed against the counter an watched the bassist make the brew. She picked up the book and looked at it. She saw drawings and markings along with writing. Some of it was in German, English, Spanish, and Latin. "'Gambler's Luck'? Is that what you're making?"

"Yes. I'm going to need your help."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Put on the sexiest dress you have in your closet."

"How will that help?" Rei raised a eyebrow.

"This thing has a weakness for women. Maybe you can throw him of his game a little."

Araiya thought for a few moments. "See a demon, exploit myself, see a demon, exploit myself, see a demon, exploit myself, fuck...alright I will." "Okay, I'll help."

Murdoc nodded in thanks, and took some azelea and thew it into the pot. The keyboardist watched the blue smoke rise into the air and a skull form in it.

"How will this stuff work?"

"I'll give it to him and his luck will transfer over to me with out him knowing."

"You're gonna spike his drink?"

"Yeah and even though the potion's blue, it'll turn the color of his drink."

"Clever."

"I'm going to buy him a drink and then put it in before handing it to him." He turned the fire off from under the pot and the potion cooled immediately. He walked over to the table and took a glass vial and an eye dropper filling it with the blue liquid. "There, all ready."

"Hope this works."

"It'll work. Don't worry."

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Three days later, the two were heading to the pub. Araiya was wearing a simple but sexy red tube dress with matching heels and jewelry. When they reached the pub, Murdoc went over their plan again.

"Remember, we're not going to know each other once we get in there. You'll walk into the pub and sit at the counter then I'll come in and sit a couple seats away from you. Just glance at me to let me know that you've ordered the drink and sent it to him. The demon calls himself Fred."

"Got it." Rei took a deep breath and got out. She walked to the pub and entered.

The half drunken men who were sitting at the tables looked up and smirked. Their eyes followed her as she walked to the counter and sat down on a stool.

Looking over her shoulder, she spotted the man. He was currently playing against a person. The bartender then came over.

"What can I get you?"

"Um, a gin and tonic."

"Very good." He made the drink and handed it to her.

Rei felt a pair of eyes on her and she looked over, and saw the demon looking at her.

"S'cuse me? That man over there, I'd like to buy him a drink."

"Sure. What would you like to send him?"

"Vodka on the rocks."

"Right." he sat the mixed drink in front of her and fixed the demon's drink. He sat it down and turned his back to tend to something.

Very quickly, Rei took the vial from her purse and tipped the blue liquid into the drink.
Another bartender took the drink and delivered it to Fred.

Murdoc walked in and sat two seats down from Rei as planned. He met her eyes ad she nodded. The second bartender came up to her.

"He wants you to join him."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Well, okay then." She got up and walked over to the table.

"Who might you be?"

"I'm Sonja."

Fred smirked and kissed the back of her hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

"Thanks for the drink love. I'm sure it'll taste even better that you sent it." He gestured to a chair ext to him. "Sit down. I'm just waiting for a man that I've mad an appointment with."

"Sure." she sat down that was offered. "If you don't mind me asking, who is this man you're waiting for?"

"Just someone who's eager to play me." he looked up and saw Murdoc coming toward him. Ah there you are, I was thinking you wouldn't show."

"I always keep my appointments." he sat down across from the demon.

"How did you like the effects of my handshake? I thought it would be nice to give you a taste of what I can offer you."

"So, you gamble with people's lifespans."

"Yes and you can live longer. That is if you win." he took some poker chips out of a wooden box and handed Murdoc his stack.

"You cut or shall I do it?"

"I'll cut." Fred cut the cards and dealt them.

"How much do you want to start with?"

"10 years." he put two five chips I the middle of the table.

"Good start and I'll raise you 15 years." he put a 10 and a 5 chip in the middle too then looked at his cards and smiled. "A pair of Jacks." he laid out his hand.

Murdoc looked at his cards and frowned. "Really? Oh well....that's too bad then cause I got two Aces."

"You're just lucky on your first hand, but you won't be so the further we play." he shuffled and dealt the cards again.

Murdoc slowly kept on winning and Fred began to get upset then pissed off. He knew that something was wrong, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Two hours later Murdoc racked up enough extended years that he could share with someone.

"I think it's time we called it quits. You're losing and I'm winning. And you know the terms of the deal we made."

"What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything but win."

"No, you've been cheating haven't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Murdoc looked at Fred with a straight face.

Araiya looked at the two men and she honestly began to get a little nervous.

"I know you have to be cheating! there is no way you are this good!"

Murdoc smirked. "Maybe I just am."

"It is impossible."

"Care to have one more sign of proof?"

"On one condition."

"What would that be?"

"You lay your entire life on the line." he narrowed his eyes at Murdoc.

"Fine. I'm all in then." he pushed the chips that he won to the middle of the table.

Rei was about to say something but Murdoc silenced her with a look.

"One hand." he shuffled and dealt one final time. "I've got a Straight Flush." he laid his cards out.

The bassist looked at his cards. "........"

"Well?"

"I've got a Royal Flush. Read'em and weep. I win."

Fred dropped his drink backing away from the table. "No...no, no..."

"Yes. Now stop ya cryin' and come with me you have to go home." Murdoc stood.

"Fine." he followed Murdoc outside with Araiya behind the two of them. Murdoc walked into a small alley and stood  between the two dumpsters under a single light. "So where is he?"

"He should be here right about now."

The demon noticed that Rei had followed them. "Wait, is she with you?"

"Hi." Rei waved at him.

Fred sneered. "So you hired some $2 whore to do your bidding? I'm not surprised though, it's not the first time you've done it."

"I had her put a potion in your vodka that would help me to win. She's not some two dollar whore, watch your mouth."

"I knew you cheated, but with some cheap magic. Pathetic."

"I got the results that I wanted so it doesn't matter."

Lucifer appeared. "Time to go back home." he opened a portal.

The demo turned to face his master. "Why do I have to go back?"

"You've over welcomed your stay and you're getting greedy. Now come."

The thing sighed and sulkily walked thru the portal.

"Thank you." Lucifer looked at Rei. "Looking divine as usual Rei." he too then walked into it and the portal closed behind him.

The artist sighed. "That was interesting."

"C'mon love I'll buy ya a drink, but not from this place though." Murdoc turned and walked out of the alley with her behind him. They both reached the car and got in. He started it and drove off.

"You could've lost Mudz."

"I know, but I didn't."

Araiya looked out the window and watched as the buildings got better and more shops,
pubs, taverns, and people appeared. "Still...I could have lost you."

He arrived at an upscale pub then parked in the parking lot. They got out and walked into the pub and sat at a table.

"Order what you want."

Rei picked up the small drink menu and spotted something. "I'll take a cherry mojito."

Murdoc went to the bar ad ordered her drink and burbon on ice for himself. He walked back to the table.

The artist looked around. "I like this place. Upscale but they don't over do it and this drink is really good. It's the way they're supposed to be made."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Rei frowned.

"You're right, I could've lost. I didn't even know how long to potion would last." he looked up at her. "Potions like that only run on how long it's in the receiver's system."

"I see..."

"I was just lucky I guess."

"Maybe. But there's one thing."

"What's that?"

"There's never a dull moment with you."