literature

Probable Cause

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Literature Text

Picture a scene on the edge of probability. Red, black, red, black, red. All random. All predetermined. Kings and queens rise and fall and their empires with them, for it only takes but a nail, a moment, to make the numbers change – the future will modify itself to match the given conditions, for all futures are equally plausible on the roulette wheel. The King of Diamonds has no prevalence over the King of Spades, nor over the cat in the box pawing at string theory, nor the Fool who rationalizes himself into believing quantum immortality is actually attainable (but he know better than that of course). Chance has but two laws; everything that is, was. Everything that was, will be again. Sooner or later the deck runs out of cards. Sooner or later someone (not him; not anymore) starts a new game. And sooner or later the best meet their match.

"Full house. Three tens, two sevens."

ROYAL FLUSH

". . . Two out of three?" the gambler's voice was weak.

I'M SORRY. ONLY ONE GAME. THOSE ARE THE RULES SET BEFORE ME.

"Yes. Thought I'd try anyway."

WHY?

". . . . what?"

THE DECK WAS STACKED AGAINST YOU FROM THE BEGINNING. YET YOU ATTEMPTED TO DEFY THE ODDS NONETHELESS. WHY?

The gambler thought silently for a few moments, the deck in his hands making a snap sound every time he finished shuffling.

"Habit I suppose. You get used to living. You don't want to give it up. Just like you get used to living. In any case, there was nothing to lose by a friendly game with Death."

I SEE.

"Do you?"

NO. NOT REALLY. HUMANS ARE DIFFICULT. THEY WANT TO FIGHT AGAINST THEIR FATE. WHAT THEY FAIL TO REALIZE IS THAT IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED BEFORE, A MILLION TIMES OVER. YOU WOULD THINK THEY GET USED TO IT.

"Well. Right then," he was slipping away, closer and closer to that edge where probability became history. "I guess this is goodbye."

YES.

Redblackredblackredblackredblack

"Goodbye Mr. Death."

GOODBYE MR. GAMBLER.

black
FFM 21

An old piece of fanfic that I've always liked and cleaned up to remove the fanfic part. I'd like to do more with this, but I don't know where else to go.

Recognize: Pratchett's rendition of Death!
© 2012 - 2024 SilverInkblot
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sunflowerb's avatar
I knew this looked awfully familiar. :) Happy to see an old favorite again. This is still one of my favorite things of yours, I think.