A Game of Life

"Straight ahead until the first big intersection. Turn left and then right on the second street, and you'll find it. There're maps of the city everywhere. Didn't you see any?" "I hope you're telling the truth and not trying to delay me because you've betted on the other team," Andrew told him in a very serious tone. A shadow of fear passed through his eyes. "I need to get there quickly. My friend's in danger." The fat man was suddenly upset as if Andrew's words had reminded him of something bad that he'd forgotten. A shadow of fear crossed his eyes. Some papers that he'd been holding slid through his hands and fell before Andrew's feet. He bent and picked them up. As he struggled to straighten up, he groaned, got closer to Andrew and whispered hastily in his ear: "What's your friend doing over there? She must've lost her way. That's not the way to the river." The man suddenly seemed nervous. "They don't let the audience approach that side of the city. But I've heard that there are snipers over there. You can never tell whether everything you hear about this place is true or not. Perhaps it's just rumours. But it'd be better if you left there quickly."