Though fatherless, high-school senior Kip has been well provided for by his dedicated mother and loyal uncle. Thanks to his mother's hard work and Kip's job in a posh restaurant, procured through his uncle, there's enough money to cover his college expenses. Unfortunately, Kip has a penchant for gambling that takes a devastating turn when his new girlfriend's father, a renowned magician known as King, turns out to be a high-stakes con artist with an eye on Kip's savings. Kip's downfall creeps up on readers with deceptive ease; only after the smoke dissipates will they realize the blatant signs of addiction.