Чужак в чужой стране

           Hehadextendedhistimesensealittleandwasgentlyfeelingaroundinsidethemachinetryingtodiscoverwhatitdidandwhytheywerestoppingtolookatit.Buthehadbeentootimidtoplayithimself.

           ButwhenJubaldidso,Mikewatchedthecylindersspinaround,notedthesingleeyepicturedoneach,andwonderedwhatthis"jackpot"waswhenallthreewerelinedup.Thewordhadonlythreemeanings,sofarasheknew,andnoneofthemseemedtoapply.Withoutreallythinkingaboutit,certainlywithoutintendingtocauseanyexcitement,heslowedandstoppedeachwheelsothattheeyeslookedoutthroughthewindow.

           Abelltolled,achoirsanghosannas,themachinelightedupandstartedspewingslugsintothereceptacleandonintoacatchbasinbelowit,inaflood.Boonelookeddelighted."Well,blessyou!Doc,thisisyourday!Here,I’llhelpyou–andputonebackintotakethejackpotoff."HedidnotwaitforJubalbutpickeduponeofthefloodandfeditbackin.

           Mikewaswonderingwhyallthiswashappening,sohelinedupthethreeeyesagain.Thesameeventsrepeated,savethatthefloodwasameretrickle.Boonestaredatthemachine."Well,I’llbe–blessed!It’snotsupposedtohittwiceinarow.Butnevermind;itdid–andI’llseethatyou’repaidonbothofthem."Quicklyheputaslugbackin.

           Mikestillwantedtoseewhythiswasa"jackpot."Theeyeslinedupagain.

           Boonestaredatthem.