Some older humans bring their alien friends to a bingo parlor for a night of playing bingo and having snacks. -- Anon Guest
[AN: Though I am of bingo-playing age, I only have the vaguest idea how it is played]
"This is a perfect game for the frailer sort," said Human Jem. "Little strenuous activity, but it still tests observation, response time, and searching skills."
This was a Deathworld game, so Glex knew the right question to ask. "What are you hunting?"
Human Jem laughed and nodded. "You nailed it. We're hunting numbers, and these," they handed Glex a piece of cardboard with a grid on one side, "are the hunting ground." The grid, on further examination, held numbers within each square. "The goal is to get five of them in a straight line. Vertically, horizontally, or diagonally."
Which fulfilled Human's love of patterns and lining things up in order. "There is, of course, a trophy. This would not be a hunt without a prize."
"Of course not. We're playing for a gift basket of foodstuffs and scented soaps."
"Havenworlder friendly," added Human Dez. "We prepared."
Like gift baskets everywhere, the contents looked far more attractive in a group. Once past the initial splashy items, it was anyone's guess as to whether it contained anything as good, or merely phenomenal amounts of decorative chaff[1]. As it was, the most visible layer was looking very attractive indeed.
"I am in," announced Glex. It was, as advertised, hunting for a far more sedentary people. Those who were by one way or another not up to much in the way of physical activity could still spot their prey and, in the case of those with multiple cards, multitask. The thrill of the chase could still be found in spotting the numeral lurking amongst similar shapes in the grid, and then the race to stamp it ahead of the next person. Seeking the desired pattern and being the first to shout the victory cry.
"BINGO!"
Glex did not win the gift basket, but ze could begin to understand hir Humans all the better for the thrill of a shared hunt.
Human pack-bonding was a powerful thing.
[1] Gift baskets my readers are familiar with are apparently a means of distributing chaff with some decorative items on top to make it look attractive. This may or may not be some eldritch beings attempt at reproduction. Time will tell.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / mkoudis]
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