Greed
It was a shaky ride through Emend's ad-hoc connection, but the disciples made it through - arriving (albeit a little dazed) in the Dallas Texas backbone server.
Arrayed before them was a great and spacious casino - a noisy cacophony of chimes, beeps, jaunty electronic melodies, clattering of coins, and the occasional ringing of a jackpot bell. Lights and colors mixed with the sounds to dazzle and mesmerize; promoting a feeling of excitement in the air - as if the ever elusive fortune was just behind the next roll of the dice, draw of the card, spin of the wheel, or pull of the slots!
Uncounted avatars, in various shapes, sizes, and designs, sat at tables and plied the machines - all intently focused on their business. None of them smiled. A decent number of them actually looked angry. The majority of them drew long puffs on the virtual representation of cigarettes - perhaps it being a popular or cool accessory for their online persona?
In the center of the casino, as if guarded by the rows and rows of surrounding slots, were the craps, poker, blackjack, and roulette tables (among other more exotic games of chance). The sounds there were dominated by the clatter of the roulette ball, the roll of the dice, and the shuffle of cards - generally followed by the clinking of chips, as the dealers raked them all in.
It was notable that only the inner players actually talked, but the language was short and to the point.
“Hit me.”
“Stand.”
"Come one."
"Fark!"
Money flowed from avatars to the casino in amazing amounts, yet nobody left. Something held them here - pouring away their life savings.
For them, it was not for fun, it was for need.