MEETING SUE-ANNN

The slap struck Steven's face with such ferocity that his head whipped to the side, a violent snap that left his vision swimming. Before he could even think to recover, a second strike landed hard on the opposite cheek—a brutal symmetry. His ears rang, a painful, high-pitched whine that seemed to fill his entire skull. Through the clamoring din, a voice cut through, warped and distant, but unmistakable.
"So, Steven, you like to gamble?"
The voice was low, greasy, like oil pooling on asphalt....