aOS v.1.17

Alex's frustration mounted as the slot machine buzzed with a mocking rhythm. He had seen the perfect combination—three sevens lining up in slow motion—but his reaction time failed him, again.

He ran a hand through his hair, muttering to himself, "I can see it all, Kofi, but I just can't keep up."

Suddenly, a screen popped up in front of Alex, uninvited, displaying Kofi's face—his alien features all too smug. His eyes narrowed, one brow raised in sarcastic amusement. "Aww, poor Alex," Kofi began, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "The man who can literally travel back in time, yet somehow can't push a damn button fast enough. That's just pathetic."

Alex glared at Kofi's digital face. "Thanks for the encouragement."

"Hey, just keeping it real," Kofi continued, rolling his eyes. "I think we should write a novel about it. 'The Guy Who Almost Won.' That shit's bound to be a bestseller."

The little avatar of Kofi kept hovering there, zooming in obnoxiously close to Alex's face. "You know what your problem is? You're too slow. With all this fancy future tech, you still manage to fuck it up."

Alex swatted at the digital screen, but it just floated right back into his view. "Yeah, well, maybe if someone wasn't distracting me…"

Kofi sighed, exaggeratedly loud, leaning in even closer. "Maybe stop relying on your meat-stick reflexes and start using that super-advanced digital assistant who's plugged right into your brain. You know, me?"

Alex frowned, his irritation giving way to curiosity. "Wait. You're saying you can control my aPhone?"

Kofi's alien face twisted into an expression of disbelief, as if Alex had just asked whether water was wet. "Finally! Took you long enough to catch on. Yes, genius, I'm directly linked to your aPhone now. Thanks to these new AeroPods—which, might I add, you didn't even bother asking my opinion about before making the purchase—I can do a hell of a lot more than just nag you."

Alex's eyebrows shot up. "Like what, exactly?"

"Oh, I dunno," Kofi said, his face now stretched in a mock yawn, "maybe run this whole casino heist a thousand times better than you. What, you thought you were the brains of this operation? Pfft. I can control your aPhone, buddy. Meaning I can control the button, the timing, everything. So, why the hell are you still here? Go grab a drink or something."

Alex crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "You're saying you could handle the slot machine, all by yourself?"

Kofi's face loomed even larger on the screen, smirking. "Hell yes, I can handle a slot machine, Alex. What do you think I've been doing, twiddling my virtual thumbs while you fumble around? You're more of a hazard to yourself than anything else. Step aside and let me show you how it's done."

Alex hesitated, a mix of annoyance and intrigue swirling in his gut. "Alright, fine. I'm listening. What's your plan?"

Kofi's face leaned back, his posture casual, but his tone oozed smugness. "Simple. I'll monitor the exact moment the reels line up and hit the stop button with perfect precision. You just sit there, look pretty, and maybe don't get in the way for once. Seriously, Alex, leave it to the expert."

Alex chuckled, leaning back. "Alright then, smartass. Show me what you've got."

Kofi's digital face lit up with smug satisfaction. "Watch and learn, loser."

Alex slid a few bills into the slot machine and positioned himself for another go. As the bright 7-7-7 symbols flickered on the reels, Kofi's voice—now amplified by his grinning face on the screen—sounded in his ears. "Alright, here we go. Slow motion activated. Let's make some fucking magic happen."

The reels began their lazy spin, moving slower and slower, each symbol coming into sharp focus in front of Alex's glowing eyes. This time, instead of reaching for the stop button, he felt his arm move on its own, his muscles twitching as Kofi took over.

"Relax, Alex," Kofi said, his tone almost soothing. "I've got this."

Before Alex could protest, his hand slammed down with pinpoint precision. The button clicked, and the reels stopped, three 7s flashing in perfect alignment.

Alex blinked, momentarily stunned, as the machine erupted in lights and sounds. Coins poured from the dispenser, but all he could focus on was the lingering sensation of having lost control.

"We did it…" Alex muttered, though his voice lacked the triumph he expected.

Kofi scoffed. "We? No, no, no. I did it. You were just along for the ride, buddy."

Alex laughed, scooping up the coins. "Fine, fine. You're the mastermind. But hey, we're still in this together."

Kofi's alien face on the screen looked as satisfied as ever. "About time you admitted it. Now, can we maybe move on to something less… yawn… simple?"

Alex glanced at the rest of the casino. There was more potential here, with Kofi now fully integrated and in control. He could see where this was going. "What, you're bored of winning already?"

Kofi smirked, his digital face floating casually back. "Let's just say, this place isn't exactly a challenge for my superior intellect. Maybe we should up the stakes?"

Alex nodded, already thinking of his next move. With Kofi at the helm, the possibilities were endless—and he wasn't just playing the game anymore. He was about to rewrite the rules.

Alex's laughter echoed in the casino as he scooped up yet another pile of coins. Five jackpots in a row—Kofi had truly outdone himself. Just as he was about to slide another bill into the slot machine, three hulking figures in sharp suits approached him, their presence instantly shifting the atmosphere.

Alex's heart raced. He had seen them before, lurking in the shadows of the casino, keeping a close watch on high rollers. They were the casino's enforcers, and despite their nonchalant demeanor, Alex knew they weren't here just to observe.

One of the men, tall and broad with a square jaw, smiled with all the warmth of a guillotine. "Hey there, kid. Nice streak you've got going. Just here to watch the action."

Alex forced a grin, his stomach knotting with anxiety. "Thanks. Just lucky, I guess."

"Lucky, huh?" The second enforcer, with a thick neck and arms that looked like tree trunks, leaned in closer, his gaze piercing. "You wouldn't be, I don't know, gaming the system, would you?"

Alex's mind raced. He could feel Kofi's presence, a reassuring hum in the back of his head. "Not at all," he replied, keeping his tone casual. "Just a guy having a good time."

The third enforcer, who had been silently observing, cracked his knuckles. "We like to keep things fair around here. You know how it is."

Kofi chimed in through Alex's ear, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, they're real fucking friendly, aren't they? Just a bunch of teddy bears, watching over their precious casino."

Alex shot Kofi a warning look, trying to maintain his composure. "I'm just playing the slots. No tricks, I swear."

The first enforcer nodded slowly, though his expression remained skeptical. "We'll be keeping an eye on you, kid. Enjoy the game."

As they stepped back, Alex let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thanks for the warm welcome," he muttered under his breath, turning back to the machine.

"Just keep your head down and don't give them a reason to snoop," Kofi advised. "We're on a roll, and I don't plan on getting thrown out of here."

"Agreed," Alex replied, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. With the enforcers lurking nearby, he couldn't afford to slip up. He slid another bill into the machine, ready to take on the challenge, knowing Kofi was right beside him, ready to pull the strings if necessary.

The next round began, and as the reels started to spin, Alex felt the weight of the enforcers' eyes on him. He had to win, but he had to do it smart. No more slip-ups. This was about more than just money—it was about rewriting the rules of the game.