Stacked

Simon sends an email, and receives a prompt reply. It has a well-being message asking if he’s okay and can afford to lose so much money. He is offended, and challenges her to HUNL despite him having not enough money. She agrees, and they play on a shitty play money site to avoid rake. He gets smashed. Hard. In the end, the money he owes his opponent is equal to his tuition for the next school term. He regretfully admits this much inside another email, and the other side gives her a Discord tag. He calls, and the stranger (using a voice disguise) learns about his situation then lets him off the hook for his debt. Simon insists on paying back the stranger’s kindness, so the stranger declares that he is now their horse. The terms of their arrangement are discussed: this person will coach him, stake him, and give him guidance, in exchange for half of his poker winnings until the debt is paid tenfold. He says he will think about it, then goes to bed and cries himself to sleep while thinking about when he first fell in love in the game playing with Ricky, who had once joked (Simon took it serious) that his nephew could become an all-time great of the game.