• The smell of booze and burning gasoline is ever-present in a large, yet far-from-isolated parking lot. Some youngsters are seen atop their vehicles, smoking cigarettes, idly exchanging stories about that wicked load of fish they caught last time they fished in Durem. Some simply stood, interacting in a way that looked like some kind of deal was being negotiated. However, that's not what caught my attention. What did, was the property to which the parking lot belonged. Contrasting heavily against the cloudless, star-covered, nearly pitch-black sky were the familiar searchlights and flashing neon signs that were the indication of only one specific place.

    One giant sign, reading "GOLD MOUNTAIN" stood out, illuminated in a vibrant flow of green, blue and pink lighting tubes placed side-by-side. I had been in this place once. A memory rushed back of how I embarrassed a blond-haired employee by consistently defeating him in a game of blackjack. How much fun I had as bystanders watched me competing with one of the apparent prodigies of this game, how much gold I got from the tickets I flipped on the marketplace afterward. However, what stood out the most was the mere glance I caught of another employee of the establishment. Girls with blue hair were only common in anime. Perhaps it was the rarity of it that attracted me. So, imagine my suprise when a tall, confident-looking young woman, with long, flowing azure locks and the most perfect, super-expressive face ever passed by me on my way out of the casino. Suffice to say, my heart skipped a beat.

    For about a week, the vision of her popped into my head when I least expected it, like a rattlesnake waiting in the bushes to strike. Every time it did, the desire to come back to the casino worked my mind into a concentrated overdrive. I wanted to go back, but was it a good idea to show back up after utterly humiliating one of the employees like that? However, I remembered the woman's face as she walked by me. She appeared to be looking at me, to be impressed. One night, boredom got the best of me. I threw any ideas of what the people there might think of me to the wind as I approached the place once again, in the darkest hour of the night like last time.

    Harnessing my know-how on using the token machine properly, a skill I acquired from last time (which was my first), I rushed quickly to the back of the massive building, to where the blackjack table was. I didn't stop or look at anything until I was right in front of the table, as when I usually run like this, my head is bent forward, eyes directed toward the ground. As I glanced up, I was face to face with...her. The blue-haired woman from last time. And this time, she was the one dealing the cards. What was even more strange about this whole thing was, there was no audience like last time. This felt like some kind of strange dream. As I took a moment to observe my surroundings and analyze the situation, that's when I heard it. The voice that could break a trance.

    It was a soft voice, with a commanding tone. A voice that most perfectly reflected her ethereal beauty. "So...you must be Tetsuo. I'm looking for people to step up, but they seem a bit afraid. Tell me, will you play with me for a bit?". This had to be some kind of dream. Whether it was or not, I had an inquiry in mind. "How exactly do you know who I am?" A content smile took over her face as she replied, "Everyone knows who you are, Yagami." Slowly, people began to observe as I stood in front of the table she was dealing at, like it was a sight fit for a YouTube phenomenon. Like birds to prey, they flocked.

    One uttered, "Whoa, is that guy actually going to take on Jinx?" So THAT'S what her name is. Another elaborated on the legitimacy of the question, "Dude, nobody's EVER beaten her. She has like, a freakin' perfect record. I don't know how she does it." Being an exhibitionist in the purest nature, I must've let the crowd pump my head, because I confidently shouted to my possible fans-to-be in the most Are You Not Entertained? fashion I could possibly imagine: "Alright, I'm here, I feel like playin' some cards. LET'S DO THIS!" However, I wondered how I could even be able to concentrate, I mean, I was face-to-face with one hell of a sight, one I've been thinking about for a week.

    Just then, Milemarker's "Sex Jam Two: Insect Incest" began playing in the establishment's jukebox, which was known for rare, obscure music. Maybe it was the drum pattern, or the descending guitar riff in the beginning of the composition that drove into a loud series of chords, but there was a hypnotic quality to that song that amplified the moment. I know it sounds a bit cliché, the whole idea of time and space standing still, but for at least a good minute or so, that's what it felt like. As she dealt the cards, I couldn't help but stare directly into her eyes. Like there was some kind of magnetic connection going on.

    "I have freakin' psychic powers." I confidently uttered as I looked down at my hand. A jack and an eight. 18. My chances were fair to good, as her visible card was a seven. However, I wasn't just saying that to be saying it, y'know, the thing about the psychic powers. "That other card is a nine." With a sly, confident grin, she replied, "We'll just see, won't we?" A brief anticipation, feeling to the audience like the commercial break between segments of "Moment of Truth", passed before she finally flipped the card. Sure enough, it was indeed a nine. As she reached for another card, I exclaimed with a victorious tone, "You're going to bust." Sure enough, the next card she drew was a queen. 26. Bust.

    "...are you kidding me?!?" Her eyes widened in complete shock, yet I know she had to be utterly impressed. The throngs of "innocent bystanders" took note, screaming like a metal band just strutted onto a stage or something. Some took out their cell phone to record what had just happened. The perfect record had been tarnished, yet I could sense an accomplished look in her eyes, like she'd been waiting for this moment the whole time, for someone to finally overcome her prowess. As she rest her left hand upon mine, I could practically feel myself melting in front of her. "How...did you do that?"

    As I reached for an answer, I was interrupted by a loud, persistent buzzing. Imagine my sheer disappointment as I awoke at that exact moment. Same lame bed, same unadventurous room. It had all been a dream. But, it was enough to make one wish to master the lucidity of the subconscious.

    This was a moment...that would not soon be forgotten.