Everyone's eyes were on the ball as it rolled along, jumping between the horizontal and vertical tracks for no apparent reason. The croupier's hand gripped the table's edge. Rivqua noticed the slight flick of a finger each time the ball skipped tracks.
It came to a stop. A collective moan escaped from the crowd.
"Black six horizontal!" the croupier declared. "No win."
Zana shrugged. "No classy dinner for us tonight."
"I could've told you that," said Rivqua, taking her by the arm. "Come on, let's go window shopping."
"Restaurant windows?"
The crowd offered a consoling round of applause as Zana changed places with a fat lizard in a turban who quickly elbowed into position. Both the croupier's faces smiled a fresh greeting.
The girls headed for the door.
The evening sun was sinking behind the mountain ranges west of Toss Vague-Ass, producing a brilliant display of orange reflections in the polished towers up the boulevard.
The Blonde Plutoz stepped out into the warm air. A waft of tropical flowers hit them. Minivans lined the clean drive and scores of new arrivals crowded the red carpet. Group selfies flashed amid shouts and laughter. Porters struggled.
"That's not flowers," Zana whispered over her shoulder. "That's cheap perfume."
They made their way through the noisy mass. Rivqua whispered back, "Give 'em a tax-free day or two and it should improve."
"Hey! It's the Blonde Plutoz!" someone called out.
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