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:Chapter Sixteen:
Joey thought for a moment, trying to decide who Tristan might decide that Joey might decide that Tristan might decide that Joey might decide to not call. It made his head spin, so he gave up, flopping down to rest his poor head against the pillow.
Finally, he just looked at his trusty phonebook, said some sort of apology, and dropped it. It fell open to a random page, and Joey saw that it was...Espa Roba?
Why not?
He dialed the number, with a bit of misgiving, to say the least. At least he hadn't tried to kill Joey...yet. He just cheated. Wait. Minus the 'just' part.
Even before the phone had finished the first ring, someone had picked up.
"Hello." (not a question)
"Um..Hi thi-"
"Wait! No, no! Let me guess who it is. I must practice my psychic abilities, hone my skills, develop my powers, and perfect my technique."
"Ok..." Another Ishizu wannabe.
"Telemarketer? No? IRS? CIA? FBI? Government organization in general?" It sounded like someone was a bit paranoid. That's was blackmail information for later. Assuming he knew how to use it, of course.
"No?" Did the boy not need air? Joey wondered absently. He didn't get a chance to respond before ESP boy barreled on. "Prank caller? Business? Girl? Boy? Both? Friend? Foe? Brother? Sister? Mother? Father? Grandma? Grandpa? Cousin? Cousin once removed? Twice removed? News that I won some contest?"
"Ah…"
"Wait! That voice! Such idiocy must belong to Joey Wheeler."
"You got me Espa." Joey sighed, torn between grinning, yelling in indignation,and shaking his head hopelessly.
"No doubt you want a rematch."
"I won that time, you psychic fraud.
"Fine. I want a rematch."
"Agree to my request and it's done."
There was a pause. "What request?"
"Um…"
"Wait! Let me guess."
"Listen, Espa. I'm in a rush. My condition- er, two conditions. Tristan's trying to get my sister's number. Whatever you do, don't pick up the phone."
"Request number two?"
"I need money."
"You need money?" Espa's voice was less surprise and more 'I'm poorer than you, what are you talking about?'.
Joey gave a faint chuckle. "Well, I'm taking Mai out to dinner."
"Luck, friend. You'll be emptying your wallet for this one."
"Any ideas? Donations?"
"HAGS."
"Huh?"
"Help Achieve a Greater Society fund. People will definitely fall for that one. Trust me. As a suave scammer, I should know."
"Uh…alright. Thanks Roba."
"Just one duelist helping another. Don't forget that rematch, you hear Wheeler?"
"Of course."
Joey hung up, feeling a bit better. Just a tad bit, mind you.
He was still worried. Pulling out a pen, he wrote the letters HAGS in large caps on the top of a blank sheet of paper. Something told him this was infringing on copyright and plot from some other event, but he couldn't remember. HAGS was his own- conveniently forgetting Espa's involvement- invention.
Suddenly, Joey paused in the midst of his renewed planning.
Damn. Espa had never mentioned anything in response to the donation request. And he never promised to not pick up the phone. Double damn.
:End Chapter Sixteen: