Until You Are Dead by John Lutz Read Free Book Online Page A

then, picked up the drink that her husband had left for her on the bar, and sat in a chair near the sofa.
    "You certainly must be fond of games," Bill said, looking around him again in something like awe at the recreation room.
    Cal Tinky smiled. "Games are our life. Life is a game."
    "I agree with that last part," Bill said, raising the excellent Scotch to his lips.
    "There are winners and losers," Emma said, smiling at Della.
    They sat for a moment in that awkwardness of silence that sometimes descends on people who don't really know one another. Bill heard a faint clicking that he'd noticed in the car earlier. He saw that Emma was holding in her left hand one of those twisted metal two-part puzzles that separate and lock together only a certain way. With surprisingly nimble fingers she was absently separating and rejoining the two pieces expertly.
    "Winners and losers," Della said to fill the void. "I suppose that's true."
    "The basis of life," Cal Tinky said. "Have you folks ever stopped to think that our whole lives are spent trying to figure out bigger and better ways to amuse ourselves, bigger and better challenges? From the time we are infants we want to play the 'grown-up' games."
    Bill didn't say anything. It was something about which he had never thought much.
    "And business!" Cal Tinky laughed his booming laugh. "Why, business is nothing but a game!"
    Now Bill laughed. "You appear to be a winner at that game." He motioned with his hand to take in the surroundings.
    Emma joined in the laughter. She had a high, piercing laugh, long and lilting with a touch of. . . Of what? "Yes," she said then in a suddenly solemn voice, though a smile still played about her lips. "Material possessions are some of the prizes."
    "Enough talk of games." Cal Tinky said. "I'm hungry."
    Emma put the twisted pieces of shining metal into her vest pocket. "We can eat any time," she said, "unless you'd like another drink."
    "No," Bill said, "not unless the food's so bad you don't want me to taste it."
    Again came her high, lilting laugh, backgrounded by her husband's booming laughter.
    At least she has a sense of humor , Bill thought, as they all rose and went into the large and well-furnished dining room.
    The meal was simple but delicious; a well-done roast served with potatoes and carrots, a gelatin dessert with coffee, topped by an excellent brandy.
    Throughout the meal they had kept up a running conversation, usually led by Cal Tinky, on the importance and celestial nature of games in general. Emma would join in now and then with a shrewd comment, a high and piercing laugh, and once, over the lime gelatin, Bill had seen her staring at Della with a strange intensity. Then she had looked away, spooning the quivering dessert into her mouth, and Bill heard again the soft, metallic, clicking sound.
    After the brandy Cal Tinky suggested they go back into the recreation room for some drinks and relaxation. For a short time the Tinkys stayed in the dining room as Cal helped Emma put away some perishables, and Bill and Della were alone.
    Della nudged Bill playfully in the ribs and moved close to him. "These people are weird," she whispered.
    Bill grinned down at her. "Just a little eccentric, darling. Maybe we'd be, too, if we had their money."
    "I hope we find out someday," Della said with a giggle. She quickly hushed as the Tinkys came into the room.
    Cal Tinky was carrying a fresh bottle of Scotch. "The first order is more drinks," he proclaimed in his loud voice.
    He mixed the drinks at the bar and served them, then he looked around at the many games and entertainment devices. "Anything for your amusement," he said with his wide grin.
    Bill smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "You're the game expert, Cal."
    Cal Tinky looked thoughtful and rubbed his square jaw. "Make it something simple, if you will," Della said. "I don't feel very clever tonight."
    "How about Bank Vault?" Cal asked. "It's a simple game, but it's fun for four people."
    He