Gambler's World

A Terrestrial diplomatic mission must adhere to rigid caste rituals while negotiating with an alien society; a cynical Corps agent struggles with the required decorum. His irreverent attitude and dry wit put him at odds with superiors but also prompt him to investigate behind the scenes. At a formal reception he slips into the kitchens and encounters low-caste servants armed and on edge, forcing him to improvise under threat while his colleague panics. The episode mixes satirical commentary on bureaucracy and protocol with fast-paced, resourceful action that averts immediate danger.