Ronan Fisher, a forty-eight-year-old loner, a wandering gambler, a guy who made enough profit through gambling to get by on life, is someone who will soon find himself in somewhat of a distressing predicament. Although his life revolved around gambling and moving on from one town to the next, he was not a con man. He was never in any real trouble, not of his own making at least, and he had never been a wanted man anywhere in relation to any wrongdoing which may or may not have occurred in the vicinity of anywhere he may have been.

Yeah, Ronan was a rambler. When he was done in one town or done with a big tournament, he would move onto the next town, following the action without taking on anything too far out of his reach or means. Despite not staying anywhere for any real amount of time, Ronan had a knack of getting in amongst the locals, finding out about local events and entering poker tournaments and the likes which were kept on the hush and where he fancied his chances of making enough to pay his expenses and with a little luck, he would leave town with a little more than what he had arrived.

Having decided to up his game slightly, Ronan entered a Texas Hold 'Em tournament at a place called The Castle Arms Hotel. This particular game on this particular day, proved to be a little out of his league. He had been beaten twice early on with stakes a little higher than he would like or normally be used to, and with there being only one buy back in, Ronan was done a lot quicker than what he hoped he would. He did however manage to acquire a few wins in some non-tournament related hands so all in all he was up a couple hundred dollars.

That was enough to cover his expenses and get him a few drinks before moving on. He had been hoping for big things to come this time round though of course, that had not happened. Disappointed in himself and his latest efforts Ronan walk into and sat at the bar within the hotel.

'What'll it be?' asked the bartender.

'Whiskey please, actually make it a double with ice.'

'On the rocks it is.'

The bar tender didn't even try to offer the more expensive stuff, something he would often try with new customers, as with it being early evening it was obvious where the man sitting on the bar stool was coming from and obvious too as to how he got on.

Ronan picked up his drink and swirled the ice around the glass for a bit before lifting the drink to eye level and downing it in one. It took him a moment to gather himself but before he could ask for another, the barman was pouring another drink nodding over towards the lady sitting at the far end of the bar.

'Complements of the lady.'

That made Ronan smile. He was unsure as to if he should approach her or not though he didn't have to think too long about that for she soon moved over and sat next to him.

'Veronica' she said smiling, while making eye contact with Ronan and holding out her hand for him.

'Ronan.'

It had had been quite some time since he last had any human contact other than anything gambling related, let alone have any kind of female contact especially with one so beautiful. Maybe his recent luck in this arena was about to change.

'Thank you for the drink, you didn't have to get it for me by the way.'

The two talked for at least an hour before Ronan mentioned the fact that he was hungry. He took a chance and asked Veronica if she would like to join him for a meal, she did. After the meal, Ronan was ready to part company, being who he is he didn't want to appear ungentlemanly. He stood and wished Veronica a good evening. She held his wrist before moving closer to kiss him. With a short stare into each other's eyes which seemed to take more time than what it actually did, a connection had been made.

Veronica accompanied Ronan to the hotel elevator and then to his room. It was not a situation which Ronan was used to, but it had been so long that he just went with it. After an awkward moment or two upon entering the hotel room Veronica told Ronan that she needed a moment of her own to freshen up and she made her way into the bathroom. Ronan made his way into bed in anticipation of what might come. Unfortunately for him he passed out before Veronica would return.

Two and a half hours had passed by the time Ronan came too. He was not in his hotel bed. Instead, he awoke in a bath of ice water. To add to his confusion and fright, there was some redness in the water. He himself now appeared to be 'on the rocks'.

'What the hell?' he spoke aloud.

Ronan called out for Veronica, but she was long gone. His cell phone had intentionally been left close by and he used it to call for emergency help. When help arrived, Ronan's wallet was discovered intact. His cards and cash had been untouched but the same could not be said about his person. For Ronan had been operated on. His money and cards may not have been stolen but a kidney had ...