Silver Blaze: Hedging Their Bets

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson
Summary: Holmes is wagering upon more than one horse, but he makes sure to handicap his races in his favor.
Warnings: Mild spoilers for SILV.
Word Count: 60, plus a quote from SILV in italics, plus an extended-play version (100 words).
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

SILV – Hedging Their Bets
"But there goes the bell, and as I stand to win a little on this next race, I shall defer a lengthy explanation until a more fitting time."

“It’s completely absurd. Knowledge and will should be enough to keep me from betting.”

“If you had not knowledge and will, we would not be so well-prepared. And if it will help, I will place a very small sum upon a horse or two at your direction.”

My friend lost some of his stiffness. “That’s a thought. Thank you, Holmes.”


Extended-play version (100 words):
I turned to Watson as the train steamed towards Winchester. “All will be well,” I remarked. “Your cheque-book is still in my possession. And you left your billfold at home, did you not?”

“It is absurd that we have to take such precautions. Knowledge and will should be enough to keep me from betting.”

“If you had not knowledge and will, we would not be so well-prepared. And if it will help, I will place a very small sum upon a horse or two at your direction.”

My friend lost some of his stiffness. “That’s a thought. Thank you, Holmes.”

Comments

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I do like the idea that Holmes is protecting Watson from his gambling by holding onto his cheque book and ensuring he leaves his wallet at home; and that he's still prepared to make small bets so that Watson doesn't feel totally miserable.

[methylviolet10b]

Thank you! Watson's gambling crops up over several stories in canon, as does Holmes' help with it. I wondered why, in a story all about horse-racing, it never rates a mention in SILV...and hey, 60! :-)

[debriswoman]

I love the reference to Watson's small weakness, and the custody of the cheque book:-)

Well done.

[methylviolet10b]

Thank you! The ongoing custody issues around the cheque-book amuse me, too. (Plus, it's fun trying to remember how to type cheque-book without my fingers tripping all over the keyboard.)

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

That's awefully nice of him. We often hear about Holmes's cocaine addiction ebbing off because of the Doctor's influence, good to see Holmes can be equally healthy for someone.

[methylviolet10b]

I like to think that Holmes is good for Watson, at least a little bit. ;-) Thanks!

Sunday, 24 March 2013

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User thisprettywren referenced to your post from Sunday, 24 March 2013 (http://holmesian-news.livejournal.com/276717.html) saying: [...] by (Holmes, Watson | G | ACD) Hedging Their Bets [...]

[jcporter1.livejournal.com]

A pair of matched addicts, Drugs and gambling. Each looking out for the other.

[methylviolet10b]

Yes, the fact that they are both addicts is really interesting. Lots of room to play there in fanfic, I think.

Thank you!

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Poor gambling addict Watson can't keep himself from betting, but Holmes can do that for him. Of course, he offers to make the bets for him instead, which isn't exactly helping to eliminate the problem, but when has Sherlock Holmes actually tried to deal completely with an addiction?

Nicely done.

[methylviolet10b]

Yes, Holmes offering to bet for him probably isn't the best thing from a modern perspective, but given the ideas of the day, I think it would have seemed a reasonable idea to both of them. Not to mention yes, the whole addict-addiction snarl...

Thank you!

60 Words for 60 Canon Cases: Silver Blaze

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User spacemutineer referenced to your post from 60 Words for 60 Canon Cases: Silver Blaze (http://dispatch-box.livejournal.com/214566.html) saying: [...] by Hedging Their Bets [...]

[marysutherland.livejournal.com]

Finally doing my 60 words for "Silver Blaze" and I really liked this take. Especially how Holmes is so sympathetic and doesn't make any cracks about Watson's lack of knowledge!

[methylviolet10b]

Thank you! I tried to stay true to canon instances where Watson's gambling problems come up. In those cases, Holmes shows a great deal of practicality about it - and also seems to understand the power of the problem. Which, well, he should! ;-)