"Well, I've seen people get quite upset over it, but it's only resulted in sedation by daytime, or a lack of positive effort by night. So even if I'm angry, I do try to keep my temper about all of this. The people who post rants on the bulletin board or who make fights with other patients for no reason don't seem to accomplish much, but perhaps they simply enjoy the outbursts. It isn't my style." That was a bit of a biased view, but Vlad supposed what Kaiji didn't know about a certain Jack Fenton's effect on his temper wouldn't hurt either of them. Daniel had been exhibiting an increasing talent for being less an amusing diversion and more an open problem, even within the Institute, as well...

The game was Vlad's loss, which went without comment. The mood was calming, at least, which hopefully would help Vlad in the next round. He took his cards back, shuffling again, slow and idle hand movements. "But as for cheating... the rules here are created by the doctor, the 'game' we play is orchestrated by the doctor, and it seems that if there's any way of winning for us, it wouldn't be by playing within the doctor's rules. Then again, I suppose calling it cheating when the deck's already been stacked against us might be uncharitable. Finding a way around the rules and barriers, then."