The Game

 

That’s when the only pirate at the table leaned forward and said, “I have a pair of hens, so I’ll take three.”

 

Well, of course nobody knew what hens were. Did he mean queens? The dealer dealt him three more cards and the pirate sat back in his chair, slowly peaking at his new cards.

 

Todd Wilson, who sold lamps, sofas and occasional tables over at the Sears outlet during the week, had been holding Jacks and sevens.  He knew full well that two pair of anything beat one pair of hens, whatever those were, but it was the way the pirate had leaned forward, looking everyone in the eye, almost daring them to challenge him, that had set Todd on edge.  Was the pirate bluffing?

 

Lois, who had been paying more attention to the refreshments she had set out, glanced at her cards and then tossed them onto the discard pile.  “Is anyone ready for a snack?” she asked.

 

Bill Reynolds, who had laid his hand face down in front of him said, “I’ll play these.”  He then looked over at Todd and asked, “So just what is an occasional table, Todd?”

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Rogers, of TV fame, seemed to have a tell.  Whenever he had a good hand, he would hum.  It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood…  a wonderful day for a neighbor.  Then he looked over at Lois and thanked her for making such good-looking refreshments.  “It is so wonderful of you to make those delightful looking sandwiches and cookies.”

 

The pirate grunted and tossed six dollars into the pot.  That was a tad steep for Todd, but he again looked at his two pair and called, lying a five and a one on the pile.

For some unknown reason Mr. Rogers began taking his shoes off, first the one and then the other.  

Jasen Bateman said nothing, but just watched as Mr. Rogers then put on his slippers.