humming to himself and looking for the flat wafer. He heard a sudden intake of breath, then what sounded like a rather embarrassed cough, just behind him. He turned round to see Mr. Dreltram behind him, looking oddly awkward. Gurgeh frowned as Mr. Dreltram, just returned from the bathroom, his eyes wide with the mixture of drugs he was glanding, and followed by a tray bearing drinks, sat down again, staring at Gurgeh's hands. It was only then, as the tray set the glasses on the table, that Gurgeh realized the cards he happened to be holding, which he had lifted up to look for his hidden-piece wafer, were Mr. Dreltram's remaining mine-cards. Gurgeh looked at them-they were still face down; he hadn't seen where the mines were-and understood what Mr. Dreltram must be thinking. He put the cards back where he'd found them. "I'm very sorry," he laughed, "I was looking for my hidden piece." He saw it, even as he spoke the words. The circular wafer was lying, uncovered, almost right in front of him on the table. "Ah," he said, and only then felt the blood rise"
( Iain M. Banks )
[ The Player of Games ]
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