Shade Page #7

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If the Dean would

do us the honor?

Sure, Max.

Texas hold 'em,

straight up.

Ante, gentlemen.

Call.

Ah, what the hell?

10 more.

I'll just take

one card, please.

I'm out.

I'm in

for a thousand.

20 more.

That's it for me.

Out.

- Well, Tony?

- Yeah, yeah.

Okay, heck yeah,

I'll call you.

Let's see what you

got there, buddy.

We got a big ouch.

Heck yeah. I guess you

won that one, too.

Oh, yeah.

Something says

five more.

Yeah, I'll raise you

another 5000.

My goodness, I'm getting

weak at the knees.

Let's see if I can

dig down and get the courage

to match that

hefty wager.

Stevens is going to go

for the kill on Tony d.

Why don't

we make it...

50,000?

That's 45,000 more.

What do you think?

Tony?

Yes, um...

I don't think

I have that much...

With me.

Really, Tony, it's not that complicated.

How much do you

think you have, Tony...

Anthony from Austin

or whatever...

In that little saddlebag

that you brought with you?

Well, let's see.

Mm-hmm.

I'm sure you got a few

more nuggets in that bag.

It appears I only have

25,000.

Now I could be cruel,

but you would think

badly of me

if I just

bought the pot.

So Tony,

since you flew in

and you look

like a nice guy,

I am going

to accept that bet.

So 25,000

it is to you.

I'm...

I'm awfully sorry.

What?

Oh, no.

Easy, easy,

cowboy.

Back off,

let's go.

Bad manners, Tony.

It appears

my evening has drawn

to an embarrassingly

dramatic close.

Gentlemen...

Ma'am.

Good night, Tony.

Hundred thousand.

I'm out.

All in.

I'll call.

Trip 10s.

- Sweet.

- As pie.

But I've

got the nuts.

- Ace high.

- Son of a b*tch!

Some luck.

So much for

my lucky hat.

Well, gentlemen,

that's all for me.

I think I'll

call it a night as well.

Gentlemen.

Very impressive, kid.

And then

there was three.

My lucky number.

How about five-card stud

from here on out?

Music to my ears.

Yeah, that sounds quaint.

And how about

a break?

What, are you tired?

Just distracted,

Cleveland.

- Cincinnati.

- Sorry, same state.

Back in 20 minutes,

gentlemen.

Man, am I glad

you came by.

Like I said, I always

love to watch you play.

- I like that.

- How's it going?

I'm doing the obnoxious

bit with this kid.

Nothing seems to rattle him.

He's good.

He's just

very, very good.

As good as you?

Well, I didn't

say that.

Charlie, will you

fix me a drink?

- Mmm, are you okay?

- Yeah, I'm good.

You want me

to get you a drink?

Yeah,

I'd love a drink.

Keep your mind

on the f***in' game.

Do you "folly"?

Hey, count the chips

on the table.

- So how is he?

- He's really good.

I've double duped him a couple

of times and he won't bite.

- So what do you think?

- I don't know.

He's folded a few times

with bad hands.

It's like he's

reading my cards.

- So maybe he is.

- Marked cards? Come on.

The Dean's not going

to use paper in a real game.

That's just

for hustles and squares.

You don't use it

in fast company.

Maybe he doesn't

consider you fast company.

You know what?

Let's find out.

Come with me.

I don't see any edgework,

sandwork,

no shade or flash,

no block out or black line either.

It's clean.

- Son of a b*tch.

- What?

It's juice. The bastard

is using a juice deck.

Juice deck?

Yeah, look.

It's a way of marking cards

so you can only read it when

your eyes are out of focus.

Try it.

Oh my God.

Oh my God.

I've only heard

of juice decks.

- So what now?

- Now?

I think the Dean

is about to take a fall.

I think I'll quit

while I'm still behind.

I guess it's just

you and me, Cincinnati.

So romantic.

King speaks.

4,000.

I like round numbers.

Let's make it 10.

King agrees.

King says bet.

Make it 50.

King likes that.

Cowboy still

thinks big.

How's 100 grand sound?

Two.

Weekend player,

huh?

Last time I recall,

ladies beat Jacks.

If that's all I have.

Well, let's find out.

300,000.

Starting to feel

like a healthy pot.

500,000.

I'm all in.

I'm short...

50 grand.

- Really?

- Mmm.

Nothing ventured.

Nothing gained.

That's 3-0.

Here's 20 more.

It's good

to have friends.

You bet.

All the way.

I'm looking

for Mr. Hemingway.

I don't know any Hemingway.

Sorry.

Oh.

Now you listen to me,

you son of a b*tch,

I'll squeeze

your goddamn balls

till you sh*t

in your britches.

Now where's

the goddamn game?

So let's see what you've

got up your sleeve, kid.

- Wait.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa!

- Come on.

- These are the guys.

- What?

- What is this?

That's Vernon,

Miller...

These are the guys who

took Jennings for 80 g.

I don't know you.

- Hey! Hey!

- Not so fast, slick.

- Put down your gun.

- You so much as move, your boss...

- Drop the gun!

- F*** you!

- You're Vernon?

- Malini, tell 'em to drop 'em.

- Drop it, sweetheart.

- F*** you, man!

- F*** you!

- Drop the f***ing gun!

- Put the gun down.

- Charlie, shut up!

- Put it down!

- You see what I'm f***ing doing?

- Be nice, lady.

- You're the Vernon from Kansas City?

What?

- Put it down now!

- F*** you!

Watch your language.

Yeah? Eat my sh*t,

a**hole.

Drop the f***ing

gun, b*tch!

- I heard a lot about you.

- Thanks.

- F*** you!

- Put down the gun.

Malini, tell him

to drop it!

- I hear you've been looking for me.

- Well...

- I guess you found me.

- Put it down!

Goddamn it,

Charlie!

Hello.

Yeah.

No, I don't know anything

about a f***ing ring.

Things okay at home,

are they, Charlie?

Who the f*** is this?

Sh*t.

Thank God,

it's the police.

- Who are you?

- Who am I?

- Who the f*** are you?

- Great timing, scarne.

- Another friend?

- You have no idea.

Max, why don't you

tell your boys to relax?

You can take care of him

after the game.

All right.

Now I'm guessing that you and your

friends are completely tapped out

and I can buy this pot

for say, $10.

Don't bet on it,

sweetheart.

Tiff.

Considering the circumstances,

I'll let it pass.

Let's see your card.

Do it, Vernon.

Yes.

Trip Jacks.

Hell of a hand, kid.

You surprised?

You could say that.

I guess I always knew

this day was gonna come.

It just ain't today.

Three ladies.

No, no, no.

That's not possible.

Anything is possible.

Tough break, kid.

- What does that mean, Charlie?

- We're f***ed.

What does that mean,

Charlie?

We're f***ed.

You're good, kid. Really,

you're very, very good.

But as long as I'm around, you're

always gonna be second best.

Jesus Christ.

What did you do?

Hey, you want to get that

thing away from me, please?

- You're making me nervous.

- You're making me nervous, too.

Not exactly a private

place for murder.

Put it away.

Jennings was

an idiot, anyway.

I would, however,

strongly suggest

the three of you

get out of the racket,

'cause if I see you again,

I won't see you again.

About my cut...

Forget it.

Forget about it.

You know, this almost

makes up for my leg.

See you around...

Pros.

Nice play, Dean.

- Here are your winnings.

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