est funniest
feeling. I guess people have it all the time, don't they?"

"Yes," Allen said.

Then he paused. "People do."

"Wonder what causes it?"

Joe's blue eyes were twinkling. "Dunno. The psychologists have an
explanation for it, but it's probably wrong."

"Wrong why?" Knowing Joe, I expected a gag. I got it.

"Well," Joe said. "Let _me_ make up a theory. H'm ... hoo, hah ...
well, it's like _this_: there are monsters all around us, see, but we
don't know they're monsters except that every once in a while one of
them slips up in his disguise and shows himself for what he really is.
But this doesn't bother our monsters. They simply reach into our minds
and twiddle around and--zoop!--you're right back where you were before
the slip was--"

"Very funny," Fred said boredly. "Maybe losing fifteen bucks made you
lose a little sense, Joe. You wouldn't want to lose more than fifteen
bucks, would you? You need some caution in the games we play, no? So
cut the nonsense and let's run 'em."

Ray licked his lips. "Yeah. Let's play, huh, fellows?"

Ray's always eager to get started.

* * * * *

We played until 3 A. M. I won forty-six dollars. (I usually do win ...
I guess over a period of six months or so I'm about five-hundred bucks
ahead of the game. Which is why I like to play over at Joe's, even
though I _am_ always so damned tired when I leave. Guess I'm not as
young as I was.)

Sometimes I wonder why the odds go my way, right down the line. I
almost _never_ lose. But, hell, it _must_ be an honest game ... and if
they're willing to go on losing to "Lucky" Bixby, I'm perfectly
willing to go on winning.

After all, can you think of any reason that makes any sense for
someone to rig a game week after week to let you _win_?

Frederik Boles, Author's Agent Oct. 20

2200 Fifth Avenue

New York, N. Y.

Dear Fred,

Well, here's a new story. I've cleared it with Joe ... he
says it's okay to use his name; you know his sense of humor.
I've used your name, too, but you can change it if you want
to, being the shy retiring sort you are.

Frankly, I'm a little dubious about the yarn. It's the
result of last Friday's poker-session.... I actually did
have the _deja vu_ sensation, as you'll recall. On the way
home I stopped in to pick up a chaser, feeling tired as all
hell (like I always do--these long grinds are too much