When he came out of his building the cold night air hit him.
He cursed the fact that this night of all nights he had to go out of his way to buy his wife’s lottery ticket. He’d probably miss his regular bus and then have to stand about freezing, waiting for the next. She normally bought these, but couldn’t this time. He had never been much of a gambler himself, but he knew how much pleasure she got, waiting for her numbers to come up. There was a queue. Eventually, with the ticket safely tucked away in his wallet, he made his way back. At the end of the street he rounded the corner, just in time to see his bus take off. He cursed again and looked at the time. He had a fifteen minute wait.
Opposite his stop was a large, imposing building that never seemed to be open when he left the office, leading him to think that it was some sort of nightclub. He would take the opportunity to check it out. He climbed the three steps at the entrance and began to read the board located on one side of the door. It was evidently some sort of gaming club. For a moment he considered trying the door; to go in and look around; no harm in that, surely. He had time. He decided against it and went back to reading the small print. Seconds later, he was startled to find that someone had come up behind him. He turned to see a short man, rugged up with a bulging duffle coat and scarf wrapped around his face, with his eyes barely showing.
It looked as though this queer looking fellow was about to go in, so he moved closer to the information board to let him pass.
The little man enquired courteously, “Are you going in?”
With a shake of his head, he said, “No, just reading.”
“In that case,” he said, “I have to say that Lady Luck smiles on you this evening.” At this, he pushed the door open and went in. Despite its appearance, the place was obviously open.
At first, he considered the remark unusual, but there again, the notice indicated that it was an establishment for gambling and the remark was probably one often used by the patrons. Nevertheless, it was strange. He crossed the road to the bus stop. Three more minutes and he’d be out of the wind. When it arrived he made his way to the upper deck and sat looking across at the club.
As the bus moved off, lights flashed within the building, accompanied by a number of muffled gunshots…