"Ah! That's better!" he smiles as he sips the wine. "Very nice, kid."

Putting the glass on the table, next to the lamp; he places his pistol on his lap, the barrel facing them.

"Right! We, or rather you, are going to play a game. " he tells them. "I take it you both have heard of 'Simon Says'?"

They both nod, their expressions (especially the mother's) showing confusion.

"Good. Now you are going to play my version of it. The rules are simple. Kid, if I tell you to do something, you do it. If not, I will shoot your mother. Mrs Fairfax, if I tell you to do something, you will do it or your son will get shot." He sees their faces getting ever paler as he issues his threats.

"If the two of you play the game willingly, no-one gets hurts. If not, then believe me, I will kill the both of you. It makes no odds to me whether you live or die."

He waits for the words to sink in.

"Do you both understand?"

The two of them nod slowly.

"Good! Now let's get started:

Simon Says: Finish your drinks."

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Everyone has a dark side. This is mine.