Wager

As Lucas continued to play, Roger caught sight of Greg and began walking toward him, a confident stride in his step. Greg noticed Roger approaching and met him halfway, greeting him with the cordiality typical of wealthy businessmen.
“Greg, are you here to challenge me in golf again?” Roger asked with a smirk, the cigar still firmly in place.
Greg waved his hand dismissively, “Not today, Roger. I have someone I’d like you to meet-a new business partner of mine.”
“Oh, who might this be?” Roger’s interest was piqued, and he raised an eyebrow.
Greg cleared his throat before speaking, “This is Lucas, the chairman of the Luca Group.”
Roger paused for a moment, clearly taken aback by the mention of the name. “Where is he?” he asked eagerly.
Greg led Roger over to where Lucas was playing, though he felt a twinge of nervousness. He couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if the real Lucas discovered someone was impersonating him. Despite his apprehension, Greg continued as Lucas had instructed, knowing he couldn’t afford to cross him.
As they approached, Greg introduced Lucas to Roger. “Roger, meet Lucas.”
Roger was momentarily surprised upon seeing Lucas, but quickly composed himself, believing he was meeting the real deal. “Ah, the famous Tyrant Boss playing golf,” Roger remarked with a chuckle.
Lucas laughed lightly, “Just a pastime, Roger.”
Roger smiled, observing Lucas’s grip on the club. He noticed it wasn’t quite right and grinned. “How about a little wager on a game of golf?” he suggested.
Feigning hesitation, Lucas scratched his head, aware that Roger would propose this. “I’m not that great at golf,” he admitted.
Roger laughed, “It’s easy. Let me explain a few things.” He began to describe the basics of golf, explaining the importance of grip, stance, and swing. He talked about the objective of getting the ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible and the different types of clubs used for various distances.
Lucas listened intently, nodding along as Roger explained the nuances of the game. Roger continued to explain the basics of golf, Lucas, maintaining his role as an interested novice, asked, “What types of games can you play in golf?”
Roger, pleased to share his knowledge, began to elaborate. “Well, there are several formats you can play. The most common is stroke play, where the player with the fewest total strokes over the course wins. Then there’s match play, which is more about winning individual holes rather than counting total strokes. Each hole is a separate contest.”
Lucas nodded, absorbing the information. “What about terms like ‘birdie’ and ‘hole-in-one’? I’ve heard those mentioned before.”
Roger grinned, clearly enjoying the conversation. “A ‘birdie’ is when you complete a hole one stroke under par. It’s a good achievement and something golfers aim for. A ‘hole-in-one,’ on the other hand, is when you get the ball in the hole with just one stroke from the tee. It’s rare and quite celebrated when it happens.”
He continued, “There are also other terms like ‘eagle,’ which is two strokes under par, and ‘bogey,’ which is one stroke over par. Each term reflects how well or poorly you’re doing compared to the expected number of strokes for a hole.”
Lucas listened carefully, nodding along. “It sounds like there’s a lot of strategy involved.”
“Absolutely,” Roger agreed. “Golf is as much a mental game as it is physical. You have to consider the wind, the terrain, and even your own mindset. It’s about precision and patience.”
Lucas smiled, appreciating the depth of the game. “Thanks for the insights, Roger. I might just take you up on that wager after all.”
Roger grinned, “Why not place a bet right now? Since you’re the challenger, you can decide what the stakes are.”
Lucas nodded thoughtfully before speaking, “Greg mentioned you have connections with the Sicilian Mafia.”
Roger paused for a moment, glancing at Greg.
“Relax,” Lucas added quickly. “I’m only interested in business. We’re businessmen here, not mafiosos.”
Roger laughed, thinking Lucas was seeking protection from the Sicilian Familia. “Alright, if you want anything, I’ll tell you if you beat me. But if I win, I want that sports car outside. You’re the only new face here, and I saw the car. If I win, I want it.”
Lucas smiled awkwardly, pretending to be taken aback by Roger’s demand. “Isn’t that a bit much?” he asked.
Roger chuckled, “Oh, come on, how is it too much? If you win, I’ll tell you everything I know about the Sicilian Familia.”
Confident he would win and drive home with a new sports car, Roger was all smiles. Lucas pretended to weigh his options before agreeing to the terms.
With the wager set and the deal agreed upon, they positioned themselves to start the game. They approached the first tee, Roger noticed Lucas positioning himself differently. “Oh, you’re a lefty,” Roger remarked with a grin.
Lucas nodded, “Yeah, I am,” and then took his shot. The ball sailed through the air, landing decently on the fairway.
“Not bad,” Roger commented, stepping up for his turn. He took a confident swing, sending the ball further down the fairway.
As they walked to their balls, Roger struck up a conversation. “So, Lucas, how long have you been playing golf?”
“Not too long,” Lucas admitted. “I usually focus on business, but I enjoy the challenge.”
Roger nodded, “Golf is a great way to clear your mind. Plus, it’s all about strategy, just like business.”
Lucas smiled, “I can see that. It’s more challenging than it looks.”
They continued to play, with Roger maintaining a slight lead. His experience was evident as he navigated the course with ease, making par on most holes. Lucas, while doing his best, found himself trailing behind, his shots not as precise as Roger’s.
“You’re doing well for someone who’s new to the game,” Roger encouraged as they moved to the next hole.
“Thanks, I’m learning as I go,” Lucas replied, determined to improve.
Roger secured his victory in the first game, a satisfied smile on his face. “Looks like I took the first round,” he said, clapping Lucas on the back. “Let’s make it a best of five, so we have a bit more fun.”
Lucas nodded, accepting the challenge. They hopped into a golf cart, Roger taking the wheel as they headed to the next set of holes. The sun was shining, and the course was beautiful, providing a perfect backdrop for their ongoing match.
As they arrived at the second round, Lucas took his position and swung. Unfortunately, his ball veered off course, landing in a sand trap. He scratched his head, a bit frustrated.
Roger chuckled, “That’s golf for you, Lucas. Just like business-sometimes you end up in the rough, sometimes in the deep.”
Lucas grinned, appreciating the analogy. “I guess it’s all about how you get out of it, right?”
“Exactly,” Roger replied, preparing for his shot. He swung with precision, his ball landing neatly on the green.
As they continued the game, Roger and Lucas chatted about their shots and the challenges of each hole.
“You’re getting the hang of it,” Roger said, offering a tip. “Just keep your eye on the ball and follow through.”
Lucas nodded, “Thanks, Roger. It’s a lot to take in, but I’m learning.”
On the sidelines, Greg watched with a concerned expression. “Looks like Lucas might lose this one,” he remarked.
One Eye, standing next to him, simply smiled. “Just watch, Greg. The game’s not over until it’s over.”
Back on the course, Lucas was doing his best, but his shots were inconsistent. He often found himself in tricky spots, like the sand trap earlier. Roger, however, played with confidence and skill, maintaining his lead.
“Don’t worry, Lucas,” Roger encouraged. “Golf is all about practice and patience.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Lucas replied, determined to improve.
By the end of the second game, Roger had won again. Again, they hopped into a golf cart, Roger taking the wheel as they headed to the next set of holes for the third game.