A Sure thing. Daniel LaGrave. Copyright © 2011 by Daniel LaGrave Published at Smashwords To say that the place was located on the seedy side of town would have been the understatement of the year. The street lamps glowed, but their light could only hold the darkness of the night at bay, struggling only to come at long last to a stalemate. Of course wasn’t that always the way of things, you didn’t come to this area of town during the light of day, almost as if these places didn’t exist until the twilight of dusk. Alex Stetson laughed off this last thought; it was a sound that even to his ears reeked of nervousness, but what choice did he have? After all he couldn’t be held at fault for the things that had happened, it was supposed to be a sure thing. You’re just like your father…his mother’s voice made rough by years of smoking rang through his mind. What made them sting though, was that she was right. From the moment they took up residence in that tiny two room apartment they situation failed to improve. His dad always planning, and scheming did well to die young. The fact was you never saw an old gambler. His mother on the other hand had only gambled once in her life, on his old man, and had lost considerably. What money they’d had at the beginning of their marriage had been quickly squandered, flittered away. Still Alex had watched his father, noted every mistake with the keen interest of a second season lemming. He’d learned the real rules of the game, and wouldn’t make the same mistakes. He succeeded in that; his father had never gotten in deep with a loan shark, let alone several. His life at this point was hardly worth the cost of a cup of coffee, probably less. It got worse when Nicky no nose had offered to let him recoup some of his losses accrued from Nicky’s bookies, and from there it was one loss after another. Things leapt up to the next level of trouble when he was rounded up by some of Nicky’s associates, and given a ride down to the docks. Of course Nicky had been waiting, not looking at all pleased to see him. Neither had it been a surprise that Nicky’s favorite accessory, a Louisville slugger, leaning against the desk in the middle of an empty warehouse. While these things were troubling, the twin five gallon buckets at the other end of the desk were cause for concern; one held a low grade adhesive, and the other broken glass. Depending on the mood he was in, Nicky would hit you with either just the bat, or as he called it the “shredder”. You could rest assured though that the presence of the bat meant you would be hit-guaranteed. “Hey there Nicky, what’s up?” Alex said. He tried to be likable, so much more so at that moment. Without preamble Nicky snatched up the bat, and buried its end in Alex’s soft gut earning an Umph from his victim. After that, the meeting was a blur of begging, pleading, and poundings sometimes with the bat mostly with fists. Fortune though smiled on Alex, the bat never ended up in the glue or the glass. Instead Nicky asked a favor of him, though there was no room for no. Alex agreed, and found a silver metal briefcase shoved into his hands. Nicky’s goons hustled him back into the car, and drove him back to where they’d picked him up dumping him like any other stray. While he lay on the ground coughing, one of the goons brought the case around, and placed it gently next to Alex before stepping back a few feet. “Nicky says that you need to get this to our buyer down at the 3rd street subway station by seven o’clock tonight. He also said that you should be careful with it, very careful.” With that they got back into their car, and left, it took a moment to struggle to his feet, however unsteadily. Retrieving the case he idly wondered what was in it, then considered tossing it off the parks brothers’ bridge, but thought better of it. If there was any such thing as a sure thing it would be that Nicky no nose wouldn’t look too kindly on that, most likely he would have the goons come back to cure his gambling permanently. No the prevailing wisdom would be to do as he had been instructed. He looked around, searching for a street sign. Walking to the end to the block he found was he found the sign. They’d done him no favors dumping him were he had been, on 23rd street, if he wanted to live another day he’d have to run. Horns blared, other pedestrians swore at him as he blasted through, and there were a few moments were the grill of a car or bus threatened to finish the job Nicky no nose had started. Still block after block whizzed by, he felt his heart thunder in his chest, and lungs burning threatening to burst. By the time he reached the entrance to the subway station Alex had to cling to the handrail to keep from falling down the stairway. He looked down at the worn Rolex watch, the only memento his father had left to him, the hands on the face read a few minutes after seven. It’s only a couple of minutes; those trains are always…they’re always late. Any hope those words had given him died once he made it down the stairs and found the station empty. There was no one waiting to receive the briefcase, and no chance that Nicky wouldn’t kill him. Staggering over to a bench he collapsed, his mind spinning, trying to figure out his next move. Surely he would have to leave town, but to where? He’d have to move very far away, and no doubt would probably have to change his name. Another thought crossed his mind; I’m going to need money. He felt the case’s weight again for the first time since he’d been given it. Whatever this thing is it’s valuable, maybe it’s valuable to sell? He felt a buzzing in his pocket, his cell phone. Without looking he knew who it was, in this age of lighting fast communications the man he’d been sent to give the case to left, had called Nicky, and now Nicky was calling him. He stood, phone now in hand considering weather or not he should answer, what are you stupid? Alex thought. Instead he walked to the stairway; his legs still trembled from his earlier race, and climbed them. The phone went silent for a moment, only to begin ringing again. “Yeah Nicky’s pissed.” He dropped the cell phone into the garbage can as he made it to the top of the stairs, and hustled down the street stealing glances over his shoulder as he went. Ducking into alleys and entryways Alex fled. He knew the faces of most of the goons, but there were some he didn’t know. Paranoia drove him now, moving from place to place more frequently until at last he found his way to towns’ end. It was an old name for an old neighborhood that had once been the towns’ center, but now sat all but forgotten except by the lowest of souls. Those who still resided there did so only because they couldn’t afford to get out, and anyone who ventured there usually only did so out of some desperate need. He found himself with such a need, hurrying down crumbling poorly lit sidewalks his eyes searched for a damaged neon sign he’d only heard rumor of before. Checking his watch beneath a street lamps’ amber light he found it was almost one in the morning, surely whatever place he’d been searching for had closed hours ago. Alex’s mind now worked feverishly, they would no doubt consider town’s end, but had they already had that idea, or was there still time? In the end it didn’t matter, his apartment was no doubt being watched, so he couldn’t go home. He needed a place to stay until he could search again in the morning. “Who knows, maybe there’ll be less heat tomorrow, yeah, maybe they’ll have figured I’d already skipped town.” Slipping again into the shadows he looked for any shabby motel with a vacancy. Such wishful thinking perished, speared by twin beams of light moving slowly down an adjacent street. There remained enough distance that the figures inside the sedan were still only vague shapes, but as the car made a turn the man sitting in the passenger seat bore a distinct profile, Nicky. Fortunately the car had turned away from his where he hid, but it would only be a matter of time before they doubled back. He hurried in the opposite direction hoping that they would waste time turning over any possible hideaways while he put some distance between them and himself. Alex had only turned the corner to the next street before he skid to a stop, ahead of him stood a little shop, it’s lights still blazing, a dingy window with a flickering neon sign. He waited a breath watching the sign, while it typically read Pawn shop. Buy, Sell, and Trade when the neon tubing flickered, it became Pawn u. It was the place. His mind raced, if he could pawn this thing whatever it was, and get out unseen then he could still make his escape. Running as far as the storefront he paused noticing for the first time the strange glow of the street lamps, it was unsettling. As if an unseen fight were being waged. The shine of headlights reflected off of windows, ending his hesitation. Pushing through he was met by the jingling bell above the door, and it made him jump. “Well howdy.” He spun around to the sound of an older man’s voice. “Hi.” He said. The man grinned, “Sorry if I startled you, but we were just about to close.” The man was indeed older, but somehow seemed far more vibrant. He stood behind the counter, wiping down the glass case. “Are…are you the owner?” Alex asked. He hurried over. “I sure am, name’s Gus, Gus Oswald Douglas, to be specific, but just Gus will do. How can I help you?” “I’d like to pawn this.” Alex said placing the silver case on the counter. “How much can you give me for it?” “Well that depends, mind if I have a look?” The old man who seemed out of place in a pair of battered overalls, and faded red shirt motioned to the case. “Of course, yes.” Alex looked back to the door. “It’s a nice case isn’t it, but we have a lot of those-not much call for them.” Alex felt each the ticking of every second now, expecting each to have Nicky barreling through the shops’ door. Not the case, what’s in the case you idiot. He thought. The old man’s smile faded as if he’d somehow heard Alex’s thoughts. “I suppose though that you want to sell what is in the case.” “Yes, that’s right sir.” Alex said adding in his friendliest tone, “I’m sorry, I’m not used to these late hours.” “I understand. I have to force myself to take a day off during the week.” He studied the case for a moment. Alex watched, and waited. The man was taking too much time; he looked again to the door. When turned around again, he found Gus studying him, as if he were looking for something, something he apparently didn’t find, I just about sell my soul, if this jerk would just hurry up. Gus looked at the case, and then again at Alex, “I’m sorry son, but I think that I’ll hand this one over to my assistant manager Lucy, this is more her area of expertise. I really am very sorry.” “Finally. I was beginning to think you were ignoring me.” A girl’s voice chimed in. She lowered the newspaper she’d been reading, the head line of the Dorris Bridge Record read STRANGE LIGHTS SPOTTED OVERHEAD!!! She’d been sitting on a stool a few feet away, it was a strange thing, Alex was sure they had been alone, but she was just there. She popped down, and hurried over. “Move over old man, this one’s mine.” Lucy’s appearance was strange one moment she looked like a normal little girl, the next a psychotic imp. It was disturbing. “My, oh my, what have we here, a shiny metal case, what could this be.” Moving her stool over to the counter she snatched up the case in her quick little hands. Turning it over, and over again she mumbled to herself, “Very interesting, definitely something you don’t see everyday.” She looked up to Alex again, “You have the look of someone running. Are you? Running, I mean.” “I’m sure I have no idea what you mean.” Alex said. She cackled, “No, I’m sure you don’t. Why don’t we get down to business, we wouldn’t want Nicky catch you just standing around would we?” Alex gasped, “I…I…don’t know…” She cut him off, “We’ll take it. All that’s left now is to settle on a price.” Wait, she hadn’t even looked inside, so how could she have the slightest idea how much it’s worth? He thought. Of course maybe she had no clue; maybe this was a good thing. Yes, yes of course she couldn’t know anything about what was inside, hadn’t even opened it, so she must be basing her value on the case itself. She would no doubt underbid any expectation he’d make, so all he had to do was give her a price well over what he really wanted and she’d come down to his number. He put on his best poker face. “I happen to know that it’s valued at fifty thousand dollars, but I could let it go for forty.” “Such a splendid case as well.” Lucy said. “Ah, so it is. I’ll tell you what; I’ll throw in the case for no additional charge.” Alex said trying to sound smooth. “Such a deal, but I don’t think the old gas bag I answer to will loosen up the purse strings that much. I might be able to swing, hmm…say two thousand.” Alex almost choked, “What? You can’t be serious. As I told you before this is worth a hell of a lot more than that, you can’t just offer me two G’s.” “Mr. Stetson, worth is a funny thing for example this case to me is worth at most $2000.00; at least until depreciation begins, but to you of course it’s worth a great deal more. Maybe even your life.” “What did you mean depreciation?” He said trying not to stutter. “Why only the rate with which you test my patience Mr. Stetson, I do not like to haggle.” Lucy paused letting the words settle, this was her favorite part; the moment when her mark realizes that they’re in way over their heads. “I do however enjoy a good game Alex.” Again another moment passed. “Game huh?” He asked missing the use a name he hadn’t offered her. “Of course, I’m particularly fond of games of chance, how about you?” An uneasy feeling trickled down his spine, and a voice in the back of his head pleaded for him to leave. Another voice, so much like his father’s whispered to go ahead, and only that when you raised the stakes did the pot truly paid off. “I’ve been known to place a bet, or two. What did you have in mind?” “I like you Alex, so I’m even going to let you choose the game, but the stakes are these; if I win then I get the case for my offered two thousand, and if you win then I will give you five thousand, but that’s the very highest I can go.” Without further thought Alex blurted, “OK, you’re on.” Then his mind kicked back into gear, “one hand of poker.” She smirked, “Suicidal kings are wild.” “Sure.” She said giving her that. He pulled a deck of cards from his pocket and dealt five cards each. “Don’t worry this is a regulation deck.” “I’m sure they are, after all you’ve got an honest face.” Lucy said picking up her cards. Alex picked up his own cards, and couldn’t believe his eyes. Four out of five cards wore the suit of hearts. Better still there sat a ten, a jack, a queen, and a king. He tried to keep a straight face. “How many discard?” “Four.” She said. He doled out her four cards, “and the dealer takes one.” He knew the fates were smiling on him when he drew the ace of hearts. “Full house.” Lucy announced laying down her hand. He couldn’t hold back the grin anymore, “Sorry Lucy goosy, royal flush, read them and weep.” “Damn.” She swore, “Well I guess I best go get the money, I had the cards, but it turns out yours were better I guess.” She turned to hop down, and get his money with a defeated countenance. She paused, “I wonder though, no you wouldn’t be interested. You’re too clever to chance it. No, no I’ll just hurry along, unless…” “Unless what?” “Never mind, it’s nothing.” He grabbed her wrist, and immediately regretted it, he felt the flesh writhe beneath his, “Unless what?” He repeated more insistently. Inwardly she smiled, so desperate, so very foolish. “Ok, I’ll tell you, but there’s no point in my doing so. If you are looking to make a quick escape, I have ways, and know people who can help.” She shrugged, “Like I said no point in telling you, you’ll just want your money. “I didn’t say that. What kind of stakes are we talking about?” She tilted her head, as if considering, “Oh, I’d have to say a bit like double or nothing. “Double, or nothing huh?” He absent mindedly roll the words around in mouth. “Same game?” Again she appeared to consider his question for a long moment, “No, the trouble there is poker requires both chance, and skill. How about something that depends totally on chance, what do you say Alex, are you a gambling man?” He wanted to resist, every fiber of his being told him that something was wrong, but then again the deck, his deck should be clean. In the end he just couldn’t help himself. She could see he’d come to a tipping point, “I’ll tell you what, you can draw first, then I’ll draw, and then if you need it you can have a second chance.” The moment she finished speaking the war being waged in his mind was lost, “Ok you’re on.” By now any thought if Nicky no nose, his goons, or even Nicky’s famed “shredder” vanished, consumed in the rush only addicts know. He shuffled his deck once, twice, three times. He heard his father voice again, only an idiot shuffles his cards more than three times.” He watched as she cut the cards, careful to look for any slight of hand. She merely split the deck in half replacing the top with the bottom set of cards. “Your first go.” She said. He drew, again luck appeared to be on his side; the queen of diamonds peered up at him. He smiled as he laid the card down on the countertop. “Your go.” “That’ll be tough to beat, heck you’ve probably already won, but just for fun let’s see what I can come up with.” She drew the next top card, looked at it, her face remained constant, and set it on top of his. He had seen the fickleness of luck, hell he’d been on the short end of some pretty bad sticks, but all those experiences paled in comparison to this one moment. The king of spades sat there in stark black and white. “Oh, bad luck. I guess it’s a good thing you have a second draw.” Again he felt a change in momentum. It was true, of course he’d have to draw an ace, but he was feeling lucky. “So let me get this straight, I draw an ace I get double or nothing?” “Ha, if you can draw an ace, then I’ll find a way to get you the 50K, and I’ll even throw in that help I told you about.” Lucy clucked. Fueled by the promise of getting everything he needed he drew, his eyes closed and preyed every gambler’s prayer, Please, please let this go my way… He opened his eyes, and saw her face-there was a strange smile. Then he looked down, a smiling clown face grinned back at him. It couldn’t be; he always remembered to take the jokers out, that was rule one. Yet there it was. “Oh, bad luck it seems. Pity, but look on the bright side Nicky no nose won’t ever find you.” “What…what do you mean?” Alex stuttered. Lucy snickered at the fool, last words were seldom chosen well. “We had an arrangement Alex. Double or nothing, remember?” “Right, I leave here with nothing, you keep the case, and your money.” Still nothing noble spoken by this halfwit, “Oh no, my dear, stupid Alex Stetson, you misunderstood our arrangement. You get nothing. No case, no body, no life, and no soul.” The impish creature raised her hand, and with a wisp of smoke reeking of brimstone snapped her fingers. In a flash Alex Stetson was gone. She retrieved the case, and placed it behind the counter. A moment later an ugly dark suited man with a misshapen nose pounded through the door, she knew it was Nicky. “How can we help you sir?” She asked, her voice sickly sweet. He regarded her for a moment, unsure why the hair on the back of his neck was starting to stand on end. She sat behind the counter gathering a deck of cards, “I’m looking for a guy with a silver suitcase, you seen him?” “We see a lot of people everyday, we might have, but we haven’t purchased any suitcases today.” “Oh yeah? Well if he comes here to sell that case, you’d better run him out. Oh and you tell him Nicky is going to find him.” “Will do, and I’m sure you’ll find him.” She saying still smiling as the gangster slipped back out into the night. “Sorry, Nicky, but when you do find him, you’ll have much bigger problems.” She chuckled, picking up a single card from the pile. The joker still wore that ridiculous belled hat, but the face it wore no longer smiled, almost as if its wearer had bet on a sure thing and lost. She pulled her own deck of cards from an apron pocket, it was only half finished, but at least now it had a joker. She sighed and smiled, “So desperate, so very foolish.”