04-23-2023, 06:04 PM
Andrei and Leonid were both Moscow businessmen. Each were obscenely rich, which explained their presence. Andrei was in his forties about Maksim’s age. Leonid, on the other hand, was in his seventies, overweight and mostly bald. He had a rich Russian laugh that most heartily responded to the quip about everything being for sale.
It was old Leonid that responded to Kristian’s question. “Oh young man,” he interrupted before Maksim could. Frankly, it wasn’t difficult. Maksim was quite taken aback by the suggestion that he might be blackmailed, or worse, that he already had been subject to blackmail.
Leonid luckily took the hit. “Little Maksim here is not old enough for that nasty business… not yet, are we young Maksim?” he laughed loud and boisterous. Then he reached across the table and clunked their drinks together in a toast. Max didn’t usually swallow his drinks in one gulp, but tradition demanded it else he risked offending the older Russian. The man was friends with his father from back in the day.
As soon as he put the glass down, though, he realized something was wrong. Leonid broke out into a sweat. His face turned pale. He sat back, then gasped like he couldn’t get a breath. Max stared in misunderstanding.
Then Leonid promptly fell out of his chair and toppled to the floor. Maksim and the other players rose to their feet. The dealer rushed around, and the host was already calling emergency services.
Maksim backed away from the table shocked and horrified when it was clear that Leonid was already dead. It was suddenly very hot, but loosening his tie did not help.
He backed up to another table and sank into one of the empty seats. "I don't... I don't feel good.." he uttered, feeling like he was going to be sick. Meanwhile, Andrei was standing back. Their fifth player, the Asian, was already leaving.
It was old Leonid that responded to Kristian’s question. “Oh young man,” he interrupted before Maksim could. Frankly, it wasn’t difficult. Maksim was quite taken aback by the suggestion that he might be blackmailed, or worse, that he already had been subject to blackmail.
Leonid luckily took the hit. “Little Maksim here is not old enough for that nasty business… not yet, are we young Maksim?” he laughed loud and boisterous. Then he reached across the table and clunked their drinks together in a toast. Max didn’t usually swallow his drinks in one gulp, but tradition demanded it else he risked offending the older Russian. The man was friends with his father from back in the day.
As soon as he put the glass down, though, he realized something was wrong. Leonid broke out into a sweat. His face turned pale. He sat back, then gasped like he couldn’t get a breath. Max stared in misunderstanding.
Then Leonid promptly fell out of his chair and toppled to the floor. Maksim and the other players rose to their feet. The dealer rushed around, and the host was already calling emergency services.
Maksim backed away from the table shocked and horrified when it was clear that Leonid was already dead. It was suddenly very hot, but loosening his tie did not help.
He backed up to another table and sank into one of the empty seats. "I don't... I don't feel good.." he uttered, feeling like he was going to be sick. Meanwhile, Andrei was standing back. Their fifth player, the Asian, was already leaving.