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After wrenching the cork out of the narrow opening of the bottle with his one good hand, he filled the glasses with the amber liquid. He motioned for Jon to sit on the stool opposite his, pushing the glass across the bumpy surface.
    “Are you here for the tournament, then?”
    “Yes.” Jon knew that lying wasn’t an option.
    “And you cheat using this apparatus?” The question was asked in a monotone, as if he was used to dealing with this sort of behavior all the time. Jon resisted the urge to match the man’s knowing smile.
    “No.” He took a sip of the whiskey. Clenching his jaw tight, Jon tried not to flinch as the alcohol burned down his throat. “I don’t cheat.”
    “An honest gambler? That would make you rarer than that equimech over there.” Jake gestured towards the iron horse in the corner. He downed the contents of his own glass in a single gulp before refilling both glasses. “I’m asking you directly, man to man, because I don’t want us to be involved if that thing’s helping you cheat. We don’t need the work that badly.” Jake gave a quick glance towards his daughter drawing across the paper, the pencil flying off in different directions as the pictures took shape.
    “We live here. This is our livelihood. You can just move on.” He took another sip of whiskey. “People tend to hold grudges for a long time out here. Especially over money. Sam, there, she doesn’t care. She just wants to build and repair things. Me, I worry about the world out there.” He stared at Jon. “And you and I know how cruel the world can be, especially on those who cheat. In more than just cards.”
    Jon nodded, holding the shot glass in his left hand. “I understand. And on my honor as a gentleman, I promise you that the brace does nothing other than help me control my hand and fingers, letting me hold the cards. There’s nothing else special about it. Your own daughter took a look.” He grinned. “I don’t think she’d let much get by her.”
    “That is true.” Finishing up his drink, he reached over and plucked the shot glass from Jon’s fingers.
    He downed the remaining liquid before speaking. “‘As a gentleman’. Don’t hear that much around here.
    I’m just warning you.” Jake glanced at the gloved fingers and then at his own sleeve still neatly pinned to the leather coat. “In regards to your arm—I’m not sure if I should envy you or pity you.” His hand rose to scratch the tip of his nose, the thick pudgy fingers stained dark with unknown chemicals.
    Before Jon could answer, Jake got to his feet. He placed the bottle and glasses back into the cupboard, pushing them into the alcove and shutting the door. “I’ll send the boy around when we’re ready to see you for a fitting. No use leaving the brace here right now. You might as well keep using it until we need to see it again.” He laughed. “Gil’s a good one, but don’t leave your coins unguarded. Just saying.”
    “Thank you.” Jon gave a hesitant nod towards the woman, who sat hunched over the table. She remained oblivious to his presence, muttering to herself. “Good day.” Walking to the door, Jon turned one last time to see the two engineers. Jake stood at Sam’s side, shaking his head as he pointed out details on her paper. His fingers scraped across the rough page, smearing a line. In response Samantha shook her head. She started tapping the edge of the pencil so hard that it punched through the page. Jon turned away, smiling as he took a deep breath of the clear air just as he had done upon leaving the rooming house. He opened the door and walked out into the street.

    Samantha hardly noticed the man leaving, her attention on the carbon lines now crisscrossing the coarse paper. True, the time factor made it impossible to send for a replacement, but she could possibly adapt one of the coils from the hind end of the steam horse. Perhaps the gear shifter could spare one for the time being since it wasn’t really