The Outside Guest
A short story about why every house needs its rules written down.
The Outside Guest
A stranger walks into a saloon and joins a poker game with some locals. After a few hands, he gets four of a kind and bets heavily.
At the showdown, one of the locals lays down a worthless-looking assortment of cards: three diamonds and two spades. The other locals cheer as he starts collecting the pot.
“Wait a minute,” says the stranger. “I’ve got four of a kind! What’s he got?”
“That’s a Lollapalooza,” says a local. “Three diamonds and two spades. Beats everything except a straight flush. House rules.”
The stranger doesn’t like it, but he’s outnumbered, so he keeps playing.
Later, he finally gets three diamonds and two spades himself. He bets everything, and one of the locals calls.
“Lollapalooza!” the stranger announces, spreading his cards. “I win!”
The local shakes his head and scoops up the pot.
“Sorry, son. House rule—only one Lollapalooza per night.”