The Non-Electronic Bug

"The Non-Electronic Bug" by E. Mittleman is a tale woven with threads of futuristic technology and old-fashioned trickery, where a cunning cardsharp designs a plan to beat the odds in gambling. It shows how being dishonest and using people can have surprising outcomes through a story packed with mystery. The main character, who thinks he is extremely intelligent, uses a special radio to talk to his friend, Henry, so he knows what cards other players have. They then include Skippy, a young person who can read minds, to gain more insight. However, the story takes a twist when a competitor challenges Skippy, making his powers unreliable, which causes big problems for their plan. The ending looks at the dangers of their con and the uncertainties of trusting others, showing that their criminal actions come with serious risks.