Wade stretches luxuriously, bringing his arms over his head and linking his fingers together, as if they're two friends talking about a harmless game and not an event that regularly plays with the lives of the contestants.

"Riding on me and against me, definitely. Seems like every time the Quarry rolls around the dead pool just keeps gettin' bigger. Lotta people wanna see my ass in the dirt, y'know?"

He takes the opportunity to swipe a glass of bourbon from one of the waiters parading around the room, draining the glass and placing it back on the tray before the man even has a chance to step away. Wade exhales in a gusty sigh, wiping his mouth before grinning Ellie's way.

"Sorry. Gotta wash out the taste of bein' so impressive. S'not every day you get as many people who hate you as love you."

Fake laugh, hiding real pain.