Wild Card Day, 1986, was a pivotal moment in Wild Cards history. On September 15, 40 years after the first Wild Card Day, the Astronomer, leader of the Egyptian Freemasons, engendered a bloodbath before being defeated by Fortunato. Hiram Worchester, also an early riser, went to prepare for his annual aces-only exclusive dinner at Aces High, and happened to stumble on a protection racket shake-down of one of his suppliers. This similarly drew him into the conflict with the city's criminal element, and saw him enlisting the aid of ace private investigator Jay Ackroyd.