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EPISODE NINE: "Last Throw"

When Ethan got up the next morning, he was surprised to find Emma still sprawled on the couch. She was just beginning to stir and looking around her in confusion. "How did I get here?"she wondered. She seemed to take in the fact that it was light for the first time. "What time is it?"

Ethan checked his watch. "About seven o'clock."

"In the morning?!"

Ethan was slightly bemused. "Wow, you really must have been tired last night. You were already passed out there when I got home with Eddie. Must have laid down there after going to work."

"But I didn't go to work."

Now Ethan was truly shocked. "What?"

Emma thought hard, trying to recollect the events of the previous night. "I had a shower, got changed into my work stuff, sat down to have a drink…"

"There was a wine glass on the table when I came in,"Ethan supplied.

Emma nodded. "Right. And…I don't remember anything until I woke up here, just now."

"But that means you must have been asleep about twelve hours!"

Emma shook her head in bewilderment. "I know I was tired from my shift earlier but I didn't think I was that tired." Realisation began to dawn on her. "Oh my…I've missed my entire shift!" She scrambled to her feet, ignoring her thumping head and the fact she was still unsteady on her feet.

"Where are you going?"asked Ethan.

"To see Nisha. And pray that she'll take my explanation."

Nisha gave Emma a cold look when she came in. "And where were you last night?"

Emma hesitated. She wished she had a better excuse but the only thing she could manage was the truth. "I was asleep."

Nisha's demeanour didn't improve. "I meant when you were supposed to be here."

"So did I."

"This had better not be you messing me about…"

"No, really. I got home, got ready for work and then I just passed out on the couch. Didn't wake up until an hour ago. I'm sorry, I don't know how it happened, I really didn't think I was that tired."

"We had a big party in here and we had to deal with them without you."

"I'm sorry, please, give me another chance."

Nisha stared at her long and hard. "Be here tonight,"she said at last. "Be late again and you won't get another chance."

As Emma exited the casino, she was unaware that Dan and Sutton were sitting in a car across the parking lot. Sutton was dressed in a casino worker's uniform identical to Emma's. "Looks like you're up,"Dan noted.

Sutton pinned Emma's old ID to her tunic. "Wish me luck." She headed inside.

Nisha looked up as Sutton entered. "Yes, Emma, was there something else?"

"I just wanted to check when you wanted me in."

Nisha gave a weary sigh. "I thought I made that clear."

"Just to check."

"Seven o'clock."

"And where would I be working?"

"You and Lexi will be on Wheel Number 2. Remember that, I don't want you anywhere else."

Sutton nodded. "Okay, I'll be there." She exited the casino and went to the car.

"Well?"Dan asked.

"Tonight."