Hit me hard, Frank

Summer 2021, Week 5

Monday early evening

Lucky Spades Casino, Downtown

Storyteller

Monday is usually one of the slower days at the Lucky Spades, especially with the absence of a lovable croupier putting on a show and a half for one table or another.  

Zeke Marlowe

Sitting at one of the Blackjack tables, he weighs his thoughts with a guilty conscience. I actually robbed a bank. I can't believe I actually robbed a bank. And yet.. I'm here again, the same place that got me in trouble the first time around. He lightly rubs his still injured ribs, wincing in pain a little bit. This round went to a random person, but Zeke didn't care. He just wants to quietly nurse his drink and forget recent events.  

Layfon Soma

Layfon just clocked out for work as his boss called him too his office to discuss somthing important. maybe im getting a raise or maybe even a promotion? but part of him knew that wasn't the case and was only hoping it was true. He was just wondering how he didn't get fired yet given the fact he has been no calling no showing for the past few months. He knew he should have knocked on wood. The next thing that happened after his boss sat him down was the dreaded words of "I Regret to inform you that this will be your last paycheck. I bet this is hard for you but its hard for me too."   Layfon scoffed regret, feel bad my ass the guy never liked me too begin with I got the job from pure luck[/i   "I'm sorry what did you say?" the store manager said with a slight frustration on his face.   "Nothing sir i was just about to say I'm sorry I couldn't be here when you needed me and I understand why you are doing this. I'll have my uniform turned in tomorrow morning" lafon stood up and grabbed the envelope that said his name on it clear as day and walking out of the building in almost a state of panic.   "what am I going to do. I have no job, no car, and im about to get evicted from my appartment from being late on the bills! Shit shit shit" people around his starred at him in worry and confusion fuck did i say that out loud? I gotta do somthing about this money problem then it hit him.   It literally hit him... flat in the face. A poster for a casino. He knew it was downtown all this time but he never bothered to gamble all his money away. He looked down at his paycheck and made his choice. "Im going to gamble all my money away!" *shit i said it out loud again. Besides the point. You just got to walk in there and look like you have been here a lot! Buuuut not toooo much because you dont want to look like you have a gambling addiction. You got this." Check in hand and foot in front of the other layfon steps into the casino building. Walking over to the chips booth to get some of that cusino currency to then walk over to the nearest black jack table that looked to be near a corner. "Do you mind if I join in on this business?" He said with a smile.  

Zeke Marlowe

He raises an eyebrow at the newcomer, examining them up and down. "Not at all. We were just about to start another hand. Watch out, though. Frank here's been taking me to the cleaners tonight." They reply with a sort of americanized French accent and nod towards the dealer, a finely dressed gentleman with a dandy looking mustache and wearing that dreaded piece of uniform: the name tag.   Putting in his ante, Zeke asks with a passive air of curiosity, "So, what brings you to these parts? I haven't really seen you around before."  

Layfon Soma

fuck he hasn't seen me around lately. Of course he hasn't seen me around lately. Why didnt I think of that. Of course there are going to be regulars. Think think think why are you never here. You cant tell this stranger your broke! "eh um eh. Im just visiting around these here parts. I come from more down south then these here climates" layfon says in a very poor southern accent right after just talking Normally. He itches his neck and sits down puttting in a few chips "I just do these games for fun. Not looking to earn some real money-making you know what im spitting" in a even poorer accent and itching his neck once again.  

Zeke Marlowe

He gives a wry smile and motions to an empty seat. "I couldn't agree more, mon ami. A good distraction from the shouting outside, no?"  

Storyteller

Frank shuffles the cards diligently and deals out the cards to the group, an Ace of Diamonds and five of Clubs for Layfon, and a two and eight of Spades for Zeke.  

Zeke Marlowe

He looks at his cards and takes a sip of his drink, a Captain Sunrise. Adopting his best hick Cajun accent, he replies "From da South, eh? I'm from N'olans in Loosianah."  

Layfon Soma

Layfon begins to look a little worried it's starting "hit" please please please dont fail "ya im here from the south" he itches his neck some more leaving a slight red spot "visiting my cousin who had some business to do as we were passing through town" what the hell am I talking about. Im a fucking lame ass loser thinking this guy is falling for my act "planning on winning big today? You look like a man that has big doe" he says still trying to hang onto his accent still itching his neck everytime he speaks.  

Zeke Marlowe

Passing through, eh? I.. no. Not gonna skim thoughts yet just because.. but some asshats laid Sorin low.. best to be safe. They reach their thoughts to create an imperceptible mind link, and simply skims surface thoughts to get a read on their true intentions.

[Pather, Minor x1, -1EP (14/15)]

  "Not planning on winning, just playing. My mind needs a bit of a distraction these days."  

Storyteller

Frank the dandy dealer passes a queen of Diamonds to Layfon, and patiently waits for another call for 'hit'.  

Layfon Soma

"Hit" come on baby come on. Why is this game going by so slow. I either failed myself even more tgen i alrrady have or i fucking am great and made the right choice. Oh shit the guy next to me said somthing... I wasn't paying attention. "ehrm" layfon coughs into his sleeve and rubs his face a bit. "Card games are always fun if you win. But if you loose that could be a different story depending on how much money you bet" mainly that's refering to me but he doesn't need to know that layfon then grabs a crumpled up napkin from his job he jusy got fired from and wipes his forhead I hope im not too obvious  

Zeke Marlowe

So he IS just insanely nervous. He thinks as he says "Hit me hard, Frank. I need a little more spice in my life."  

Storyteller

Frank smiles and chuckles at the reaction, and deals out a three of Spades to Layfon, and a Jack of Diamonds to Zeke.  

Zeke Marlowe

Not quite the Ace I hoped for, but 20 is pretty good. "But the real fun is playing around your opponent. Gaging their reaction, looking for clues that'll give them away, or even just distracting them." He smirks as Layfon seems totally absorbed in the game, and their shock that they didn't pay enough attention to Zeke.  

Layfon Soma

my opponents? "oh shit" he accidentally blurts outloud shit fuck "ehrm I think you may of got me... but there still is a chance to get a 21. And since you are ahead anyway my as well give it a shot" ok come on dude you neeeeeed this money. Or if you loose you can always try again till your broke. "hit" he says with a sigh under is voice "I know I lost this and you probably read me from across the room but this is my first time gambling and im not from down south" he then flips back to his poor southern accent "Im from these here parts" then back to his normal voice "a few blocks away actually. Sorry I lied. I just couldn't keep it up."  

Zeke Marlowe

"It's all right. I almost had half a mind to believe your story, I smelled so much bull shit." He cracks a sideways smile, giving the freshie a wink. Though his mind was weighed down with the info from his 'special' insight. Hm. Broke, eh? Maybe he'd get further in life if you lived a little more honestly. But then, who am I to judge? I literally robbed a bank and am pissing away my ill-gotten gains.  

Storyteller

Answering the call for Layfon's hit, he deals a two of Hearts.  

Layfon Soma

what's with the wink? "im just trying to live man... I lost my job today I black out during the worst times... I dont even know why im telling you this" why am I telling him this layfon then looks at the card that was delt torwards him and does a double take "am I reading this correctly? Can I do math right? I believe that says 21" layfon stands up with his hand on the table and points to the cards "this may be my only win of the night but god dammit this is exiting" he then looks at the man next to him "My name is layfon" and puts out his hand for him to shake it.  

Zeke Marlowe

Damn, he cracked easier than an egg. He takes a deliberate moment to stare at the hand that waits for a shake. But it never comes. Instead, it is greeted by a raised eyebrow and a cold, "Sorry, I don't shake with people willing to lie deadpan to my face." As the chips are moved over to Layfon, he downs the rest of his drink and makes a mindlink with Frank, telling him telepathically "I'm headed home for the night. Make sure that he gets the chips I leave, oui?"

[Pather, Minor x1, -1EP (14/15)]

  Deliberately leaving a stack of chips at the table, he stands up and nods to both Frank and Layfon, saying out loud, "I think I'm going to go home early tonight." He turns away, and as he starts to walk he says over his shoulder, "Zeke Marlowe, and a few words of advice: you can say it's none of someone's business if you don't want to tell them something. Lies like that are likely to make a bad first impression."  

Layfon Soma

well I fucked up he grabs the chips and thanks the dealer before trying to catch up to the stanger stumbling about."hey look man I know I fucked up just have a good night alright. Whether we never meet again or not it sucks to have a sour impression. So im apologizing properly before we part ways" I know this wont fix things but at least i wont leave a complete bad impression... "ok now that that is said and done... ill take my leave. I already screwed things up my as well not do it anymore." He then stops and lifts his leg up to walk away torwards the chip booth I learned my lesson enough to know to quit when your ahead  

Zeke Marlowe

He stops in his tracks, and takes a deep breath in, barely stifling his disdain for the audacity of this guy. "Just be sorry that I can never completely trust you again." He makes a mind link to say into Layfon's mind "I'm usually here when I'm in my off time, and at Dockside Brewery most other nights. Maybe you can earn some credibility back then if you're serious about it."

[Pather, Normal x1, -3EP (11/15)]

  And with that last statement, he walks to one of the craps tables.  

Storyteller

Frank finally catches up to Layfon after locking up the blackjack table. "Pardon me, sir. You've left some chips at the table." He hands Layfon a stack that comes close to $200 in value before bidding he have a nice evening and returning to the blackjack table.