To win and get my money.
“Interesting. Why so many?” I asked.
“Partly, because my friend was a budding tattoo artist and he needed someone to practice on years ago.” He turned his arms over back and forth as the casino chatter faded away in the background. “After that, it became my little obsession. The latest one is on the back of my leg. It’s pretty sweet. I’ll have to show you sometime.”
A funny lightheaded feeling suddenly came over me. The way his lips moved when he talked made me want to keep talking to him and listen to more of his story. My mind caught onto what he just said. “Pass. I have to get back to the tables,” I said in a clipped tone.
“You’re doing pretty well. Nice win on the blackjack,” he commented.
“Keep your distance and stop watching me all the time,” I warned. I wanted him at an arm’s length only.
“Yes ma’am! Enjoy your gambling.”
I walked away and could feel his eyes burning into my back as I moved on. I would have to be a little more diligent, a little craftier if I was being watched so heavily. I needed another three thousand dollars to make entry to the Mahogany room. That’s where my earnings would increase exponentially. I cringed as I realized I did myself a disservice by impulse-buying this dress. It had cost me five hundred dollars.
Thankfully, another game or two and I would make it up. I seemed to be on a natural winning streak without playing tricks. I became bored of being good, so now it was time to turn up the heat at the next blackjack table. I sought out a table with a few people on it. The more people who sat on the table, the better I liked my chances. The dealer had more distractions and interruptions to deal with.
I found a table in the back and slotted in with five other people. Two couples, the women hanging off their men having a good time, and one lone ranger chewing his gum while shooting his shot. He was aiming big with a nice juicy stack of chips on the table. He had six hundred dollars’ worth on the table. Of Asian descent, he looked like he was making himself comfortable at the table. He had a drink in front of him. Gold rings. Silent and still.
His vacant eyes were focused on the cards. He signaled the dealer to draw. Perfect 21. Another stack slid towards him from the dealer. Money talks. The women were watching him now as their boyfriends’ piles dwindled. I clinked my chips into place, confident and at home. I watched the cards.
The golden winner on the left still hadn’t acknowledged me. He remained too entrenched in the movement of the cards and dealer’s hands. He would see me soon, then it would lead to curiosity and intrigue. The cards came. An ace, straight out of the gate. A two or a twelve depending on the circumstances.
My palms were sweaty. The game of chance. I had a good start, but I was still going to rig the game. My intuition told me to play more chips. Next deal. Nine of hearts. I won the right way again. I felt irritated that I didn’t have to cheat once. Not an ideal scenario, as I liked the fix I got from doing the wrong thing.
This time, the Asian man turned his head ever so slightly to take me in his sights.
Discreetly, I checked my surroundings and to my disappointment, the security guard was nowhere to be found.
I played again, tested the waters with a hundred dollar bet. I won five hundred, so I could afford to push the limits. I wanted to lose the hand, or appear to lose, because out of the corner of my eye I saw the security guy?Ink was back. He wasn’t far away after all. I talked to the couple next to me. “How’s your luck so far?”
The guy seemed enthusiastic to talk to me, the woman not so much. “Not as good as you. I’ll trade spots with you. We won a couple earlier, that’s about it.”
I bet you would trade places. Not uncommon for me to throw a game or two, kept the rhythm and the casino off my back. “That’s pretty good though. Maybe you’ll win a few down the line. You never know your luck.” I winked at him.
His girlfriend gave me the evil eye as I set my eyes back on the table.
The dealer fanned out the cards and set them up.
I set my bet down. This was the one where I planned to pull a sleight of hand, depending on the hand. If I was winning organically, then it would be a problem. The cards were shitty, so I switched to card counting. This was a test of my mental abilities, but I went to work. I even warmed up the crowd and talked a little bit in between. I added another 500 dollars to my purse. I was so close I could taste the victory of making it to the high roller room. I was hoping my up-leveling would get the cute security guard off my back. He was watching the game when I started, but when I looked over after the game he was distracted by a lost patron. I gazed at him from top to bottom. He could be fun to play around with. My mind tossed and turned over the idea.
Don’t. Focus on your goal. The High Roller Room. Stack your chips.
Due to the hawkish way he watched my every move I decided to take a break and have a drink. I would wear him down. If he wanted to play the game of watcher. I would make it hard for him. He was due for a break at some point. The only problem was the security cameras in the sky. Resentment started to build as I sauntered over to the bar for another gin and tonic. He was probably searching for me there. I mentally prepared for the fact that I would have to be a little sharper, a little more cunning.
I would have to play on tables that had more people on them, so I could hide in the shadows. I would have things to worry about now that didn’t include the security camera in the sky. As I retrieved my drink from the bar, I thought about it some more. I sighed in frustration because now, I had Ink on my brain, and that’s not something I wanted.
I wanted him to spill his Ink somewhere else.