Playing cards

Snake walked over to the Faro table just as the single player was getting up; the man was shaking his head in disgust. "Don't even try, Son," the man muttered, "this dealer just can't lose."

Snake had been watching the game from the bar and knew otherwise. His skill with games and numbers gave him a real advantage in a game that required you to keep track of cards. He sat down and put $50, almost all he had, on the table.

The dealer began playing out cards. Snake won a few hands, but then lost back what he had gained. He increased his bets. Finally, he saw what he had been looking for.

"I'll wager this all," Snake pushed all his money into the center of the table.

The dealer laid out six cards; there was only one card in the deck that would lose this hand for Snake, a Queen of Hearts.

"Mister," Snake spoke softly but firmly, "I'd be real careful with that next card. You buried the Queen of Hearts earlier. I'd hate to see it turn up again."

"You accusing me of cheating!" the dealer was flushed and nervous. The man who lost earlier and a small crowd was watching.

"Turn over the card!" Snake pointed to the deck.

The top card was flipped - a Queen of Hearts. Before a word was spoken, before anyone could blink, Snake's pistol was pointed at the dealer's heart.

"Now, don't get rash, Cowboy," a sweet voice cut the tension.

"Leroy, I told you what would happed if you cheated in here again. Now back away slowly. I don't want your blood all over my clean floor."

The dealer got up slowly. He reached for his pile of money. "Leave it," Snake moved the gun closer, "the other guys you cheated would like their money back too."

The dealer, back to the wall, moved out the door. Snake turned to face a stunningly beautiful older woman. She had bright red hair and huge breasts that spilled out of a too tight dress. "I'm Ruby," she said with a smile.

"I'm sure you are," Snake picked up his money plus the pot in the cetern of the table.

"Can you play anything other than Faro?" Ruby's smile told Snake that she wan't talking about cards.