08-13 samnote

Ten minutes.
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Tyler puts a kettle full of water on the stove and cranks the burner to the highest it can go.
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We play a round of rummy. We have no interest in each other's money. Also, we don't have that much money to start with. If I win, he has to go get groceries next. If he wins, who knows?
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The highest setting for the burner boils water in the kettle in two minutes, fifty-three seconds.
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I expect a rumbling, a bubbling, a something. No.
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I expect the kettle to get warmer. A little, then a little more. Not enough.
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My turn. Three of a kind jacks.
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His turn. Discard.
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Discard.
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Discard.
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Five six seven of spades.
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Four of spades.
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Discard.
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Eight of spades.
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Three of a kind twos.
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Discard ace of hearts.
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Collect. Ace king queen of hearts. Discard.
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Discard.
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Discard ten of hearts.
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Four of a kind jacks.
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I grab his cup, ready for the hot water.

Tyler tells me not to get the cards wet.
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That's the least of our worries.
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Ten minutes. The water is hot. I touch the kettle with my finger and pull it away before it can burn me. I hear it. I feel it. Nothing is happening.
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Tyler gets up, pointing to his ear. He looks at me as he touches the kettle with his palm. Nothing. I get up and pull his hand away. The kettle starts to scream.