Tuesday, May 8th, 7:07 PM

The fanfare began when Mako stepped onto the casino floor balcony where he and Elise had schemed beforehand. He leaned over the railing with his hands and observed the less wealthy patrons take their crack at the tables below.

Mako kept a firm eye on the empty seats at the captain's table. Later, it would be filled with the best gamblers the cruiseliner had to offer, and he felt grateful for his invitation that came with the predetermined luck on the ...