High Stakes

Lightning flashed and thunder cracked along the thick black clouds and for a moment all eyes were on the sky. An air-raid siren cried out, sending everyone on the streets scurrying for cover. The first raindrops fell, and panicked screams rippled through the crowd, as they forced their way into the nearest building. The clouds opened on the emptied streets pouring down thick black rain.

A black sedan pulled up to the curb and parked, the black rain thudded against the metal, streaking down the windows. “Are you sure you want to risk it, boss?” Edward asked from the driver’s seat. His thick neck made it difficult for him to fully turn.

“We need the prize, and besides, I’m feeling lucky,” Duke said from the back seat.

Edward pulled on a pair of gloves, and popped open an umbrella as he stepped out, careful not to get any on his immaculate pinstripe suit. Duke stepped under the umbrella, put on his black fedora.

Lenny, a strong man in his own right, stepped out in a full rain suit. The oversized umbrella was barely big enough for both Edward and Duke.

Duke stopped under the awning, staring at the angry sky. “I always loved the rain. Think it will be over by the end of the game?”

Edward shook off the umbrella and closed it. “Hope so.”

“Let’s win this one for all those back home,” Duke said.

A short stocky man with a mean look about him blocked entry to the rest of the building. His name tag read Axel. “Invitation?”

Duke pulled out a red invitation and handed it to Axel.

Axel glanced at it, “You’re in.” They moved past him. Axel put a hand on Edward’s chest. “Leave the weapons here, both of them.”

Duke glanced back and waved Edward off. Edward scowled, pulled out his holstered .45, and the one strapped to his ankle, “I expect those back.”

Axel set the basket aside, alongside eight others. “That’s it, table's full.”

The door opened and a frenzied man ran in, carrying a heavy suitcase. “I have everything you asked for, except an invitation.” He opened the cloth sided suitcase and water bottles spilled out.

“Invitation only!”

“Please, no, I need this for my family.” Kai pleaded. He pulled out a golden heart shaped locket. “Here, take it, it’s 24 carat gold.”

Axel threw it against the desperate man’s chest, “Take your junk and leave. Invitation only.”

Duke sighed, “I had hoped to save these.” He pulled out two minibar bottles of whiskey. “Surely there’s room at the table for one more.”

Axel evaluated them and grinned. “Well, Duke, you just bought yourself a second seat at the table.”

“T-thank you.” Kai said as he picked up the scattered water bottles. “I can never repay you.”

“That’s right, win or lose, you work for me now, I’ll be holding onto that golden locket.” He held out his hand.

Axel cracked open the first minibar bottle. Kai sighed and handed it over.

Duke tucked it away in his pocket. “Let’s play a game, boys!”

Osman, purveyor of the underground games, welcomed them, “Ah, it seems our last guests have arrived, place your entry fee with the others, and may luck be on your side!” He motioned to the stash at the side where a stack of water bottles and assorted liquor bottles sat in the corner, guarded by two large men with uzi’s.

They traded the water for chips and took their seat.

Osman twisted the ends of his curled mustache with a smile. “The beverage limit is two drinks per player, all those accompanying their player, please take your seat in the next room.” Osman motioned to the side room.

Duke took his seat.

“Just say the word,” Edward said.

Duke motioned him off, “This’ll be fun, go enjoy yourself, I have some winning to do.” He cracked his knuckles and grinned at a woman wearing a shimmery golden dress, “Layla good to see you.”

She smiled at him coyly, “Hey Duke, what would you do with your winnings?” She asked.

Duke leaned toward her, “I can think of a whole lot of things we could do, if you’re up to discussing it later.”

“Alright, it’s time for the demonstration that drew you all out tonight, the first sneak peak at the new invention, see for yourself that the rumors are true.” Osman said in a dramatic fashion. A showgirl pushed a covered cart. He tugged the cloth off and revealed a large water filter.

“This is the first and only machine proven to purify the black water!” The showgirl returned wearing gloves, carrying a bucket of black water. The players shied away from the bucket, careful not to get any on them.

She walked up to the machine and poured in the black water. It swirled through turning from black to clear and with a twist of the knob, the dealer filled up a tall glass of pure drinking water. He held it out as the crowd gasped, and he took a drink. He sighed with satisfaction. “It doesn’t get better than that. This special machine along with all replaceable filters comes as a grand prize win to whoever wins the game! This is a Texas Holdem poker game where the winner will become king of the city! Now are you ready?”

“Yeah!” The crowd cheered, whistling and pounding on the table.

“Cheating will not be tolerated, you all know the penalty.”

Everyone scooted in as the game was dealt. Duke watched everyone else evaluate their own cards, scarcely glancing at his own. Each person invited was a power player in the city. But with the dwindling safe water and food, their grip on power was crumbling, his own included. No matter what, he had to secure that water filter. The dealer hadn’t overstated the importance of it. Whoever could produce pure water would be king of the city.

His own hand was dismal with a 2 and a 7, and he folded immediately. This gave him a chance to watch each player as they put in chips, saw what the first three cards were, looking for tells, weighing each of their reactions. Poker was as much a game of the mind as it was of the cards themselves, but with the prize on the line, it was all or nothing and by putting in for the grand prize, you already came up empty, unless you won.

The second round unfolded, Layla ahead of the competitors. The dealer handed out the new round. This one was a better hand with a ten of spades and a king of spades. He glanced down at his own cards, kicked in his chips and raised them, subconsciously holding his breath as the first flop revealed a nine and three of spades along with a queen of hearts. If a jack of any kind showed up, he would have a straight, if another spade showed up it would be a flush. It was risky, but this was a chance to really push it. He kicked in another raise, doubling it again. He needed to compete with Layla who had already folded this round.

He hid all his tells. Three other players folded. The second flop came down revealing a four of hearts. Which did nothing to help him, so far he’d put in a third of his chips and it could very well be for nothing.

He tapped the edge of his card as the player before him raised it again. Did he fold and stop from hemorrhaging any more money, or keep going with this risky play hoping the fifth card would pull him back out?

He picked up the chips and called it. The round of bets continued and the dealer placed down the last card. Four of spades. He exhaled, feeling the tension in his shoulders relax a little. He had a flush. It didn’t mean he had won it, someone out there could have a four of a kind or a full house. The final round of bets went around and the player to his right raised it again, spiking another round. He reluctantly kicked in what he needed to stay in the game and then revealed the cards.

Three of a kind, two pairs, close but not quite. He smiled as he laid down his cards revealing his flush.

“Game to the gentleman in the fedora,” Osman said.

This left just him and Layla, along with Kai, though only barely. Kai wouldn’t make it through the first rounds of betting with his little pile.

The next round was paltry with both him and Layla playing it safe, but forcing out Kai who leaned back in his seat, defeated. None of the players were allowed to leave until it was over, and they would not leave until the winner had cleared the building. Precautions should someone want to hijack the winnings.

Duke ordered his second drink of the game and took a sip of it.

“What do you say? We make this the final round?” Layla asked with an alluring smile.

It was risky to bind himself to something without even seeing the cards, but all eyes were on him. He held out his hand and shook on it. Osman acknowledged and dealt out the first two cards.

Queen and King of hearts. It was a good hand.

Layla smirked at him, which meant she had a good hand as well. They skipped the rounds of betting, already deciding to kick it all in and the first three cards played out. Ace and 10 of hearts and 3 of clubs. His heart thudded. Either a heart or a jack would put him in a great position, the jack of hearts would put him in the best position. He held his breath as Osman put down the fourth card, 2 of spades. She leaned back in her seat, grinning widely. She already had a winning hand, possibly three of a kind. It was this last card that would determine his fate.

He counted breaths to keep himself calm and composed. Osman flipped the card. Jack of hearts. He stared at it stunned, as if he had willed the universe to make it happen.

Layla cheered and slammed down her cards. “Three of a kind, aces.” The outburst yanked him out of his daze. “Sorry Duke, but maybe you and I could work out a little tryst later?”

Duke smiled, “That would be a good consolation prize, wouldn’t it?” He put down his cards. “Royal straight flush.” He took off hat as he stood up and bowed. “Well gentlemen, and Layla, it’s been fun.” He put his fedora back on and pulled out a card and handed it to Kai giving him back his golden locket. “I expect to see you tomorrow morning, bright and early. Don’t make me send my men to find you.” He whistled as he walked over to the stash.

Layla leaned back against her seat, angry. She wasn’t used to losing.

The show girl retrieved Lenny and Edward and they joined him back out in the main room.

“I didn’t know you had it in you.” Lenny said with approval.

“What can I say, Lady Luck was on my side. Edward, get the guns and bring the car around, we’re going to celebrate tonight.” He motioned to Lenny, “Leave a case of water to the locket man.”

“You sure boss?”

“What kind of king would I be if I didn’t take care of my men?” He sauntered over to the car and climbed into the back seat, the filter carefully packed away in the back. “Let’s go boys, we have a city to take over.”

Edward drove them out of there, pulling the car into the black rain. As they drove, the clouds broke, revealing the bright full moon above them. Things were about to change.