Three hours passed without a loss, or a challenge. So far, only the hot shots and new players had come. Where were the good old serious gamblers.
Suddenly, the feeling came again. Familiar, but still strange, Daryl shut her eyes and let it come-
Alley. Cigarrette. Ace. Spade-
"Hey missy, let's play some poker, eh?" Her eyes opened at the disturbance. Great, another hot shot...
"Sorry, sir," Daryl sighed as she began to deal.
Leaving the casino locker room through the back door, Daryl looked about her: No one. Still having not lost, she smiled. She turned toward the main road when suddenly a voice called out behind her.
"I hear you're one to take gambles." the man's voice beckoned. Daryl turned to face the guy. He wasn't at all what she was expecting, but then, he was. The tall man wore a black trench coat with, on the left side of his torso, an embroidered spade shape and a name: ACE. He was just throwing his cigarrette to the ground when Daryl turned.
"I take 'em from time to time. What's the game and how high the stakes?"
"Game? Hasn't been decided, but the stakes could change your life."
"A gamble to take a gamble? Sounds interesting. Why me?"
"You've got something we want." At this, he stepped forward while pulling a business card from his jacket. "My card. Meet me here tomorrow, six in the morning if you're in." Daryl grabbed the card and glanced at it.
"Spade Enterprises?" She looked up to see the man turning around the corner at the end of the alley. She couldn't help but to give her wicked grin. "It's about time I got my reputation."
Stuffing the card into her pocket, Daryl turned to the street and headed home.
