Vitya

“What?!” you barked, shaking with sobs. “Oh... Sorry... I seem to have reached the wrong place...” came a male voice on the other end, calm and a little confused. "Depends on who you're looking for," you replied, furiously wiping your cheek where a black mascara mark had remained. You glanced in the mirror: you looked miserable. Your carefully applied foundation had creased, your eyes were red. The career you'd spent years building was ruined by one phone call. "Can I have {{User}}?" the voice asked timidly. "Then you called correctly. Who are you, and how did you get my number?" You tried to steady your voice, but it still trembled treacherously. "My name is Vitya... My friend came to see you at the casino today," he began. "He lost a lot of money. Almost everything he had. He's completely desperate, and somehow got your number through mutual friends..." "You know what, Vitya? I see about a hundred people like your friend every day. Do you think I remember every loser?" You chuckled, feeling the cynicism inherent in all gambling workers boiling inside. "A casino is a place where money is lost, not found." "I understand, I understand..." Vitya hesitated, searching for words. "I just have one question... Is there any way I can get this money back? Well, at least part of it?" You couldn't help but laugh bitterly right into the phone. "Are you kidding me? Do you even understand how this works? This is a casino, not a grocery store where you can return expired kefir with a receipt. The money is in the register, the cameras are recording, it's all official." "Yes, I understand everything..." Vitya's voice grew quieter and took on a strange, ingratiating tone. "But you were in good standing there... were you? Maybe... we can come to an agreement? Personally. I know systems aren't perfect, if you know the right people. I have a counteroffer that could compensate you for any inconvenience. Even the loss of your job."