Loser Take All: Dud Bolt's Tale
| Author: | Gregory O. Scott |
|---|---|
| Series: | Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic |
| Length: | 6,047 words |
| Source: | AO3 |
| Publication Date: | October 24, 2024 |
| Timeline Placement: | 32 BBY |
| Canon Tier: | F |
| Preceding: | Following: |
|---|---|
| "The Once and Future Ben: The Tale of Ben Quadinaros" | "The Spice of Life: Gasgano's Tale" |
"Loser Take All: The Tale of Dud Bolt" is a short story by Gregory O. Scott. It is the third story in the Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic anthology, and was released on AO3 on October 25, 2024.
Blurb
Dud Bolt is sick of being Sebulba's lackey and decides to place a wager that will make him the Boonta Eve Classic's real winner... [1]
Plot Summary
Dud Bolt has always been a middling podracer, a fact of which he is well-aware. He makes his credits performing Sebulba's dirty work, ensuring the Dug has an easy path to victory in each race. However, as the payouts from Sebulba get worse, Bolt begins to resent his employer.
After taking a trip to the betting hall in Gardulla's casino, Bolt places a risky bet that Anakin Skywalker will place second in the Boonta Eve Classic. Since the odds of Skywalker placing at all are quite slim, Bolt knows he will receive a hefty payout should he help the boy place second. To avoid arousing Sebulba's suspicions, Bolt intends to also ensure the Dug places first. Before leaving, Bolt meets a human who inquires on whom he should place his bet.
During the race, Bolt witnesses the crashes of Mawhonic and Ody Mandrell. By the tail-end of the third lap, Bolt has managed to keep Skywalker firmly in second place and Sebulba comfortably in the lead. Bolt himself remains in third, albeit with Ark Roose closing on his tail. To secure his position, Bolt attempts to replicate a risky maneuver he'd seen Skywalker perform a lap prior, by cutting his thrusters over the mouth of Beggar's Canyon. However, the gambit fails; Bolt lands on top of Roose's podracer, knocking them both out of the race. In the midst of the wreckage, Bolt manages to get his radio working well enough to hear that Skywalker has won the race, and that he has lost his bet.
After the race, Bolt receives his consolation money from Sebulba, and goes to spend some of it at a local bar. The human from Gardulla's casino sits next to him, and gives Bolt a pouch of coins from his successful gamble. As he holds his newfound treasure, Bolt feels like a winner for one of the first times in his life.
Appearances
Characters
- Dud Bolt
- Sebulba
- Fodesinbeed Annodue
- Anakin Skywalker
- Ben Quadinaros (Mentioned only)
- Mars Guo (Mentioned only)
- Ann Gella
- Tann Gella
- Mawhonic
- Ody Mandrell
- Gardulla Besadii the Elder (Mentioned only)
- Gasgano
- Teemto Pagalies
- Unidentified Vippit clerk
- Qui-Gon Jinn
- Ark Roose
- Aldar Beedo
- Unidentified Xexto bartender
Species
- Vulptereen
- Dug
- Troig
- Human
- Toong (Mentioned only)
- Phuii (Mentioned only)
- Twi'lek
- Gran
- Er'Kit
- Hutt (Mentioned only)
- Xexto
- Veknoid
- Vippit
- Nuknog
- Glymphid
Planets
Landmarks
References
- ↑ "Loser Take All: Dud Bolt's Tale"