The Escalation

"Eight hundred thousand," Liam called out.

"Nine hundred from the phone," the auctioneer shot back.

"One million," Liam said.

The room stirred. A million dollars for a piece of hardware was aggressive, even for this crowd.

Ben looked thrilled. He was practically vibrating in his seat. "That's it, Liam. Show them you mean business."

Of course he was thrilled. Every dollar Liam bid was a dollar into Ben’s pocket, minus the house cut. Ben thought he was shearing a sheep. He didn't know the sheep had just grown fangs.

"One point two," the phone bidder countered.

"One point five," Liam said, not missing a beat.

Ben’s eyes widened. "Whoa. easy, tiger. You good for that?"

"I'll leverage the crypto itself once I have the key," Liam lied smoothly. "I can go to three million if I have to."

He saw the calculation happen behind Ben's eyes. If Liam was willing to go to three, Ben could push the shill bidder higher. Why settle for 1.5 million when he could get 2.5?

Ben tapped his nose again.

"One point eight million from the phone," the auctioneer called.

"Two million," Liam shouted.

The room went silent. The air was thick with tension.

"Two million going once..."

Ben nudged Liam’s knee under the table. He didn't want the auction to end yet. He wanted to squeeze the last drop. He signaled the auctioneer again—a subtle scratch of the ear.

"Two million one hundred thousand from the phone!" the auctioneer announced.

Ben turned to Liam, his face a mask of faux-concern. "One more push, Liam. You’re almost there. Just kill the bid. Go to two-two. They’ll drop out. I can feel it."

Liam stared at the drive on the stage. He thought about the rent he paid while Ben claimed he was "between jobs." He thought about the nights he spent teaching Ben about blockchain, about how cold wallets worked.

"Two point one million," the auctioneer repeated. "Going once... to the phone bidder."

Liam gripped his paddle. He saw Ben holding his breath, waiting for the payday.

"Going twice..."

Liam stood up. He buttoned his jacket.

"It’s too rich for my blood," Liam said, loud enough for the table to hear. "I’m out."

He sat down.

The color drained from Ben’s face so fast it looked like a physical blow. "What? No. Liam, bid! It’s your life savings!"

"It’s too much debt, Ben," Liam said calmly, shrugging. "I can't afford it. Let them have it."

"Sold!" The gavel slammed down like a gunshot. "To the phone bidder for two point one million dollars."

Ben sat frozen, his mouth slightly open. He had just "won" his own auction.