Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 3
  • 4
A Game of Confidence; Intro [Open - Ask First]
Topic Started: Jan 28 2014, 01:30 PM (423 Views)
Chidarake
Member Avatar

Hey there miss, why not take a shot at finding the Ace? Easy money if you believe in your eyes! Naoki called out to a young woman walking by, but was ignored for the fifth time in a row. Business today had been running rather slow, a bad sign; he needed about four thousand more yen to afford the rest of the week's food. Wondering if maybe something about his setup looked strange, he stood up and walked around to inspect it.

An old cardboard box lay upside down near the side of the side of the road, a rusted metal chair placed just behind on. A single deck of cards were laid on top of the box, three of the cards spread out and flipped face up; the Jack of Hearts, the Jack of Diamonds, and the Ace of Spades. Nope, same old box, same old chair, same old cards... Maybe the spot is bad? Naoki wondered to himself. He had chosen this location the day before after hearing a tip that police would be around his old hangout. His new spot was farther away from the more crowded part of the streets, but still had a fair number of people walking by and was less likely to be on the cops' watch list. He was rather proud of his old setup, as he reeled in a good amount of 'customers' there, but he couldn't risk getting caught. I bet that bastard just wanted my spot... Oh well, I'm already here so I'll head back tomorrow and see what's up, he decided, heading back to his seat and settling in.

Naoki began aimlessly shuffling the forty-nine cards still in the deck as he waited for something, anything to happen. Anyone willing to try their luck? Follow the Ace and double your money! he called out to no one in particular, scanning the area for signs of interest.
Edited by Chidarake, Jan 28 2014, 01:31 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dante
Member Avatar
WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
Treo Ashdown had been investigating ever since he had returned. His files lacked information on certain subjects, so now was a time of information gathering. The gap in his dates bothered him. Perhaps there was a way to borrow information from the others? Charinko-san would know, Yatsu-san... aibou would know. Manabu-san? Would he know?

As he walked he stopped by the box. A conman's game, to be sure. But what was every con but just a way to make money. He felt generous so he walked up to the box. His size might have been a little intimidating, but he smiled politely. "Sure. I'll play. Follow the Ace, right? Simple enough game." He put the money up to play and gave a simple, disarming smile. "Trying to make some money?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chidarake
Member Avatar

Naoki's smile was refreshed when someone finally grabbed the hook. He picked up all three cards, Ace in the middle, fanning them out and holding them towards his mark so that he could make sure nothing was fishy about them. Yes sir, just follow the Ace with your eyes! Pick the right card and you'll earn twice what you bet! Once he believed enough time was spent checking the cards, Naoki brought them all back into his palm and turned his hand down, dropping them onto the box one by one.

Not looking for money, sir, just want to have a good time with the nice people of the city! Everyone enjoys playing games, why not give them a reason to win? he said as he matched the money that was placed and began moving the cards around. He drew them up and around each other, sometimes pulling them directly over the top of another, and sometimes putting them right back where they were with a Whoops! Meant to move the other card! After about a minute of this, Naoki stopped and looked up at the young man. Well, sir, which card is the ace?

Assuming no trickery was afoot, and the mark's eyes were good enough to follow it, the Ace would be the card on the left side.
Edited by Chidarake, Jan 28 2014, 04:51 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dante
Member Avatar
WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
The teen watched intently, his eyes focused on the cards. Twice what you bet? The teen was privy to such schemes before. The house always won after all. That was the endgame of these games. But the boy seemed amiable enough. Focus on the ace. Easy enough. The teen smiled. "Oh, I getcha. Just having a bit of fun. I can respect that."

As he moved the cards, Treo's eyes was focused intently on them. When he stopped he pointed to the card on the left side. "That's the Ace. At least that's what I've been tracking."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chidarake
Member Avatar

Naoki's permanent smile seemed to grow just a tiny bit wider. The left card, alrighty then... Let's see what we have... here! he drew it along dramatically before finally flipping over the card; the Jack of Hearts. Oh, sir, I'm so sorry... It seems you must have been tracking the wrong card. I'm afraid I win this round, but I'm sure if you try it again you'll be able to get it this time! he claimed, flipping over the other two cards as well; the Ace was back in the center.

After collecting the money, Naoki picked up all three cards and once again fanned them out. How about it, sir? Feel like giving it one more shot? he asked. After a few more moments, he once again began dropping the cards one by one on top of the box. Unlike last time, however, as he was dropping the second card, a loud crash from farther down the road startled him, his hand accidentally hitting the card as it was falling and flipped it over; It was the Jack of Hearts. As Naoki quickly moved to flip it back over, the card still in his hand was shown to be the Ace.

Sorry about that, sir, must be a busy day for them. What do you say? Naoki asked, placing the final card down on the right side.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dante
Member Avatar
WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
The teen shrugged. "Ah well. You win some and you lose some." Evidently the game here was to continue losing. The boy had a reason for the con, though. Three card Monte was one of the oldest games in existence. You only needed three cards, after all. Three cards and a slight of hand. "I've been your side of the table before. Its a hard game to play."

He shrugged, putting down another note. "Well I've got nothing else to do for the moment." As he watched him place the cards, he focused intently and when the cards flipped he said nothing. The Ace was on the right. He thought about it before shrugging. "The right card. How did you get so good at shuffling? Practice?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chidarake
Member Avatar

Is that so? Naoki asked, wondering if this boy also worked the streets like him, his smile fading a bit. And if he does... Why is he playing?

Naoki's face reset to default, however, when the teen pointed out the right card. Very good, sir, but I haven't even shuffled them yet! he said chuckling, collecting the cards and ignoring the money on the box. Well, what can I say... My dream is to work in Las Vegas, y'know? he stated as he began shuffling the three cards back into the deck. But you know, you're a bit interesting to me. What do you say we cut the playtime short and have a real match? No tricks, no following... just an honest game, man to man. I'll even let you decide which one, he proposed, offering the deck to the boy.

Naoki wasn't entirely sure why he was giving up what seemed like another easy win, only that a chance had just seemed to open up for him. If this guy is what it sounds like he is, I'm gonna get one of two things here; either a partner, or fucked over. Here's to hoping it's the former.



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dante
Member Avatar
WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
The teen chuckled. "Well, we've all got to eat sometimes. Three Card Monte was the easiest thing I could learn. Slight of hand is very important in my line of work. You need to be able to make something appear and disappear when its needed." The Wild Card grinned slightly. Las Vegas? Despite the boy's rather tricky exterior, his heart was in the right place.

"I can't say I've ever been to Vegas, but your skills are definitely worthy." When he offered the deck to the boy, the teen nodded slowly. "Mmm. I can respect that. Few people see a mark who's willing to lose once and play again and throw the game away in favor of just a man to man challenge. You're not doing this just for the money, are you?"

He gently took the deck in his hand the began to shuffle it. To say Treo was good at shuffling cards would be an understatement. To get the effect her desired with his Tarot cards, he had practiced shuffling over and over. The cards were cut shuffled readded, spread across the table and collected until he was content. "An honest game?" The teen held the cards in his hand. "Well if you want to work in Vegas, we'll play the game that you'll need to know the most."

He drew two cards for each of them and placed the deck on the table.

"Blackjack."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Chidarake
Member Avatar

I appreciate the complement, Naoki said, finally letting the fake smile fall completely off of his face; this boy was the real deal. That kind of shuffling wasn't a kid-playing-go-fish-with-friends shuffle; oh, no, that was an I'm-taking-your-money-bitch shuffle. And to call Blackjack with a freshly shuffled deck, he was seriously planning on leaving out all the card tricks.

After being dealt his hand, Naoki first placed both cards face down on the table. So, what's the wager? he asked, flipping over the first card; the Two of Hearts. Sounds like fun. If I win, how about you help me spread the joy of playing games to the nice city folk for a bit? he offered before checking the other card; the Ace of Clubs. All or nothing... Damn, today must be one hell of a fateful day, he thought, his mouth curling into a grin as he placed the card back face down. Hit me.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dante
Member Avatar
WHERE THE FUCK IS MARIO
The teen chuckled slightly. This boy liked to avoid questions with questions. How unbelievably apt. Of course he was, he was a trickster. The idea was to keep the questions going, which required the ability to think on his feet. Both qualities the teen had, but in the more recent months of the year, had greatly weened himself off.

People were more than tools, after all. "If I win, you tell me a little more about yourself. If I lose, then I'll help you, no questions asked." It was a risky maneuver to be sure. Would he learn anything? Or would he simply be playing partner to this boy? Either way it was interesting and there was nothing the white haired boy loved more than something that was interesting.

He peeked at his cards. Two of Clubs, Jack of Spades. 12. All or nothing it seemed. Interesting. Twelve was the Hanged Man. To play games like this for money, perhaps the boy was trapped in a situation. He drew another card, but played it facedown to the boy.

"Interesting concept. I cannot see your cards and as you've no doubt guessed, I didn't cheat the deck. As that card is face down and you haven't looked at it, you have no idea if you've won or lost. Its a strange state. To be between winning and losing." He didn't draw himself a card yet. Merely watching Naoki's reaction.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Enjoy forums? Start your own community for free.
Learn More · Sign-up Now
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Nagashima Back Streets · Next Topic »
Add Reply
  • Pages:
  • 1
  • 3
  • 4