The Last One Out

A house in Texas holds a special dinner party once every month for 7 lucky individuals. The dinner party last for a whole week where someone potentially leaves with twenty million dollars. The only catch is, each guest will have to play a game of Russian roulette. Everyone is served an amazing meal knowing one plate is poisoned. They have every chance to leave the home if they value life over money, but who really values life now a days? The only rule is they are not allowed to bring in any belongings; in case someone tries to sneak in medicine to wave the chances in their favor. And so, the annual Texas dinner party begins, will you accept an invitation, or will you take your dinner plans somewhere else?

Silly Thomas didn’t when he was invited to the annual dinner party. A man with no wife, no family, nothing to lose took on the challenge to give his life some sort of meaning. So did poor Elizabeth who recently lost all of her family assets due to a mysterious fire. Young Christian was a world-famous gambler who wanted to try his ongoing luck at such a prestigious opportunity. Then there was sweet Mia who cared more about what her elite friends thought of her than anything else. In desperate need to make herself more luxurious to such snobby peers, she took an invite as well. Old lady Jane recently lost her husband and with it went the pension that was once promised to her but was never given due to lack of signed documents.

George who shared similar fate recently lost his wife to a medical procedure that went wrong. With no savings and very little income he to found his way to the beautiful home in Texas. And finally, there was Nancy who was a war hero and decided that this was the excitement that was missing from all those years in battle. She too wanted more from life than the amazing heroic triumphs she once was praised for. She was the last to arrive while walking into the beautiful mansion that summer day.

Each guest was directed to the dining hall that was filled with gorgeous flower arrangements, a grand oak table, and the best china money could buy. Each seat had a place setting card so everyone knew where to sit. The guest made themselves comfortable as the Host came out to greet them. “Hello everyone and welcome to the best dinner party of your life. As you all know this is a game to win twenty million dollars. You were informed on the rules before entering so if you are spotted with any sort of antidotes you will be asked to leave. Any questions so far,” said the damper Host.

George raised his hand as the nice Host pointed him out for questioning. “Can we see the money before we continue,” asked George. The Host kindly nodded and waived over the mansion butlers who came out with a black briefcases. Each butler opened their case to show off the stacks of money that laid inside. The Host held up a little black book and presented it to the guest. “This is a booklet on how you will be advised to save and invest the money. It’s not easy to handle such a large amount of cash. So, I have provided for free the best accountants to assist you if you are to win."

Everyone was amazed at seeing the money in front of them. Mia couldn’t be bothered though; as if the money is nothing new to her. Jane was the most excited as if she had already won. She slowly raised her hand as the Host pointed her out next.

“Yes madam,” said the Host.

“I have to take heart medicine at this time. Will it disqualify me from the table,” asked Jane.

“No, my dear. Do you have the medicine with you?”

“Yes, I have it in my pocket,” said Jane as she pulled out the pills.

“Well please take your medicine now before dinner is served,” said the Host.

Jane does so as everyone watched with suspicion. The food comes out and is served on gold plates.

“Tonight, is a surf ‘n’ turf made with the finest steak and freshest seafood. Please enjoy,” said the Host as he left with the staff into the kitchen.

“Here is to one of our final meals everyone,” said Christian with hesitation.

Everyone wasn’t eager to eat even though the food looked amazing. Jane didn’t care as she began to eat first. “Wait, shouldn’t we say grace,” yelled Thomas stopping Jane in her tracks.

“That’s a good idea young man,” said Elizabeth with a strong southern accent.

Everyone grabbed hands and began to pray. After everyone was done eating, the Host came out with a big smile on his face. “I have good news everyone, no one was poisoned,” said the host as he waved to one of the butlers. The guest where utterly confused and didn’t know what was happening. Soon one of the butlers came behind Jane and shot her in the head. Everyone screamed and ran away from the dinner table.

“Everyone sit-down! Rules where broken and Jane knew that any outside supplements would cause for illumination,” the host continues, “If you think we don’t take the rules here serious, you will be dead wrong! No pun intended of course.”

“I think I am going to puke,” cried Mia as she grabbed her mouth in horror. The guests were advised to leave and get a good nights’ rest. Everyone left with a bad taste in their mouth struggling to walk past Jane’s body. The next day only four people showed up. Leaving only Nancy, Christian, Thomas, and George to compete.

“Why did you decide to come back,” asked Nancy.

“I have loan sharks I have to pay off. I might have been a famous gambler in the past, but recently I made dumb decisions being broke. I have no choice but to be here,” said Christian.

“I got nothing to lose after my wife died,” said George.

“I have no life so might as well risk it all,” said Thomas.

“I’ve seen worst things in battle but the military doesn’t pay. I built a strong tolerance to gas bombs, this isn’t anything different,” said Nancy as she played with her name card.

The Host came out while looking at his watch. “I see only four of you so I am assuming that our young Mia and Elizabeth won’t be attending,” said the Host. He waved for the butlers to serve the next meal which consisted of a delicious sautéed chicken over a bed of mashed potato with a light gravy reduction. The group grabbed hands again and prayed before eating what could be their last meal. After dinner they were advised to wait in the lounge to see who is the next to die.

Alcoholic beverages were provided to take the edge off, but consuming anything made everyone paranoid. After an hour poor George grabbed his chest and fell to the floor. His mouth foamed while whispering his beloved wife's name before passing on. Nancy watched with tears in her eyes bringing on flash backs to her battle days. The guest left as the butlers cleaned up the body.

The next day only Nancy and Thomas showed up. The host waited an extra thirty minutes to see if Christian would show, but sadly he decided to take his chances with the loan sharks. “I know this isn’t easy but the payoff is great. At this time, I have to advise you both that whoever moves on from this stage will still have to come back tomorrow to eat one last meal,” said the Host. Both Nancy and Thomas looked upset thinking that after today one of them would be home free. The food comes out and it’s a beautiful turkey dinner with all the fixings. Nancy puts her hand out to pray but Thomas just ignores her and eats.

After dinner they sit in the lounge and have one last conversation. Thomas talks about how he was a nobody and didn’t live up to anything his family hoped he would become. Nancy brags about being a war hero by saving her squad from an undercover bomber. After she finished her story, blood starts to spill out of her eyes and nose.

“I guess the war didn’t prepare me for this,” said Nancy as she slowly died in Thomas’s arms.

He begins to cry because he knew her life was worth more than twenty million dollars. The Host tapped Thomas on the back and helped him to the front door.

“I hope to see you tomorrow young man,” said the Host. But Thomas just gave him a grim look and shuffled to his vehicle. Driving home Thomas cried realizing how far he came and what it would mean to have so much money. He tried to put a value on life but struggled to do so. He laid awake in his bed that night tossing and turning; contemplating if he should show up tomorrow.

The next day the table was made for only one. There were no name cards and the Host waited in the seat opposite from where Thomas would sit. Soon, a knock on the door. It was Thomas who looked strung out from zero sleep. The Host guided him to his seat and waved for the butlers to come serve him. Infront of him were two plates to choose from. One was poisoned; the other was not.

“Which one would you choose,” asked Thomas.

“To be honest with you, I would go for the right one,” said the Host.

Thomas stared at the two plates of food that looked absolutely delicious. He picks the right one and began to eat. The Host looks sad as he knows what is yet to come. After the meal was over, Thomas waits alone in the lounge. He begins to chug whiskey in hopes of drowning out any possible poison in his body. The Host walks in with a suitcase filled with money. Thomas looks bitterly happy as the Host sits next to him on the couch. He lays the money on the ground next to Thomas’s feet.

“I wanted to ask you one final question,” the Host continued, “what is worth more than your life?”

Before Thomas could answer he begins to clutch his chest. Foam begins to fill his mouth and he begins to have convulsions. “You see Thomas, this isn’t set up so someone could win money. This game is set up so someone can finally win at life. Unfortunately, my friend you picked the wrong dish since both of them were poisoned,” said the Host. It was a cruel lesson but Thomas knew exactly what he meant.

Everyone walked in with nothing to lose, but sadly that isn’t the case. Life itself is the ultimate reward. If Thomas were to have picked life, he would have won the twenty million dollars. But instead, he lies lifeless on a satin couch. In the end no one wins when they gamble on their soul. The Host closed the brief case and watched as the staff clear Thomas’s body from the room. The Host placed the money in a huge vault that resigned behind his desk in the office upstairs. On his wall a Latin plaque reads ‘Astra Inclinant, Sed Non Obligant’ which translates to:

The Stars Incline Us, They Do Not Blind Us.

Humans are always offered a choice. We can either do what is right versus what is easy. In the end the decision of our lives is ultimately our own. We can choose to follow the stars, but that is not the only path we have when it comes to life.

THE END.