type as me

The Charming Monkey, Part 11

"I don’t think I quite understand", said Fortis, "You want to play me at cards? For money?" The guy genuinely looked put-out by the prospect. Vadas had an equally bemused expression on his face.

"Sure, why not", I replied trying to look as cool as I possibly could.

"Well I’m very flattered", snorted Fortis, "but I really don’t think you could afford the stakes". He was right.

"That’s okay, I won’t be playing with my money", I said, shooting a look over to Vadas, "I’ll be playing with his". Fortis’s eyes lit up, but before he could utter a word, Vadas had grabbed my arm, and was pulling me to one side.

"What do you think you are doing!", he hissed, "Are you trying to bankrupt me? If this is a game to you.."

"If you want that monkey", I said abruptly, cutting him off in mid sentence. I could tell that didn’t happen to him very often, "then you must trust me. I want your full co-operation, not questions asked". Vadas looked unsure.

"Very well", he conceded, and I could tell he was intrigued, "but know this Mister Cane: any loss that I suffer will pale in comparison to the losses you will encounter if you fail". I didn’t gulp, but I wanted to.

I turned back to Fortis, who had clearly been trying to listen to the conversation.

"So how about it?", I asked, "Texas Hold’em, no limits. I believe that’ll make a pleasant change to the restrictions imposed on you in this joint".

"Indeed it does, Mister…Cane", he replied almost drooling at the prospect, "Very well. You do realise that I never loose?"

"So I have been told", I said, breaking into a smile, "but then you’ve never played me, and I am very good at poker". He seemed spooked a little, and he began to grip that golden monkey a little tighter.

"Gentleman!", boomed Vadas, "I believe that we should make this game a little more private. If you would please come with me, we’ll to one of the executive game rooms". He clicked his fingers, and a croupier began gathering Fortis’s chips up and made toward a big red door to one side of the hall. Fortis looked uneasy. I couldn’t blame him. Vadas has probably wanted to get him in a room with a bunch of his goons for some time now. I wasn’t too thrilled about the idea either. We began to follow the chips to the room.

"Nice monkey", I said, trying to lighten the mood. I think I made it worse.

"What of it?", he snapped back, shielding the monkey inside his suit pocket.

"Just an observation, pal. Meant nothing by it". I could see Vadas was paying a great deal of attention to us. This guying really wanted that monkey.

We reached the door, and went inside the room. It was lavishly decorated, and yet simplistic; just a card table in the middle of the room, and not much else. The croupier ushered us to our seats. I took off my jacket and sat down, facing Fortis.

"You best get me a drink", I signalled to Vadas, "we’re going to be here a while".

The Charming Monkey, Part 7

I walked through the double-doors and entered the Five Aces. I made my way past the pool tables that made a corridor leading you to the bar, feeling the gauze with my fingers as I walked. The joint was empty, apart from me, Al, and a young woman who was busily dusting some of the ornaments on display. She didn't seem to be affected by the events that just happened outside. Al went behind the bar, and I sat down on one of the stools laid out in front of it.

"That's Agnieszka", smiled Al, gesturing towards the woman, "She's my new barmaid". Al's face was beaming. Agnieszka was certainly easy on the eye. Choosing attractive staff is one of the perks of being manager I guess. I nodded a hello to her, and she looked, smiled, and went back to her dusting.

"She don't speak a lot of English yet, but she's a good worker", said Al

"Oh I'm sure she is", I replied with a smirk, "and I'm sure you've been a very accommodating employer". Al laughed, and gave Agnieszka a wink. She smiled in an I-don't-really-understand-but-I'll-smile-because-you're-my-boss way.

"So, what can I getcha, Danny boy?", Al asked, proudly displaying his vast collection of liquor that was stacked behind the bar, "the usual?"

"Sure thing, Al. Whiskey and ginger on the rocks", I replied. Yeah it was early, but I think clearly with alcohol in me. Al poured the drink and sat it down on a napkin in front of me. Al fixed himself a drink, and grabbed a stool from behind the bar. He sat down opposite me, and took a sip.

"You said something about information?", he asked. Al Jameson (or Albert Ernest Jameson to give him his full name) knew things. He had contacts throughout the city, and was well respected. What he didn't know wasn't worth knowing. I don't know what he did before he opened the Five Aces. I've asked on several occasions, but he's never told me, and he wasn't the type of man to push. I didn't care either. He's useful to know, and a good friend. I've lost count of how many times he's given me help on cases, and has never asked for anything in return, apart from my friendship. It was a bit of a one-sided deal if you asked me, but it worked, and I wasn't going to complain.

We met when I opened up my office just around the corner from him. I came in here for a celebratory drink, and Al obliged. He knew all about me before I even walked in. He even knew what drink I liked. If he wasn't so damn agreeable I would have been more concerned. Since then this has been my second home, although I haven't been in as often as I should have recently.

"Guess who paid me a visit this morning", I said.

"By the look of your face, it wasn't a razor", replied Al. I stroked my chin and shrugged.

"So I didn't feel like shaving. Madison likes the rugged look anyway", I said with a grin. At the mention of her name, Al perked up. He had always had a soft spot for my Madison.

"So what did the Fat Hungarian want?", asked Al, with a look of satisfaction on his face. I shouldn't have been surprised that he already knew.

"How do you do that?", I said, "One step ahead once again, Albert". He hated to be called that, but not as much as I liked calling him it.

"I saw his car go past earlier", he said, not reacting to my jibe, "and I figure that you'd only mention the visit if it was someone as impressive as that".

"Very true. And I guess you also know what it was about?"

"Hey, I'm observant, not a fracking psychic". I laughed and took a sip of my drink. The whiskey felt good as it hit the back of my throat.

"What do you know about a Mister Jonathan Fortis?"

"The guy with all the luck? I hear he shits four-leafed clovers and has rabbit's feet. What about him?".

"You have such a way with words, Al", I said sarcastically.

"Is Vadas getting a little annoyed about losing all that money?", Al said with a laugh, "It's about time someone fleeced him for a change".

"So you think Fortis is playing Vadas?"

"No doubt. The guys got a system, that's for sure. And a good system at that. Vadas would have dealt with him by now if he had figured it out".

"What if it wasn't a system. What if it was...something else?"

"Like what? Superpowers? C'mon Dan - this ain't a comic strip"

"I know, I know...but Vadas is convinced that the guy's got something that makes him lucky."

"And let me guess...he wants you to get it for him. Typical Vadas. That fool will believe anything."

"Fool or not..I got to do something..and by tonight"

"I wish I could more help Danny boy, but there's not a lot to tell. I tell you what, I'll start poking in some holes for you. If I find anything out, I'll let you know".

"Thanks, Al, I appreciate it. I'll see you around". I downed the rest of my drink and throw a note on the bar. I got up and made for the exit.

"Anytime, pal," he replied, and got up from his stool. I smiled at Agnieszka, who was now on all fours scrubbing the floor. She made the effort to return the smile, and I looked back at Al who gave me another wink. I pushed open the doors and walk out into the street. I looked at my watch, and then started walking towards the casino.

The Charming Monkey, Part 5

I slowly got up from my desk, and made my way towards Madison. Behind her was the safe, and as I walked past her, she gave me a solemn look. She knew that I only kept one thing in my safe, and it wasn't money. I entered the combination using the dial, and pulled open the solid door. I pulled out a small, locked box and shut the safe. I spun the dial and returned to my desk.

I sat and stared at the box for a moment, then I took my keys out of my pocket, and unlocked it. I could feel Madison glaring at me as I opened the box. Inside was a small .45 revolver, and a box of bullets. I flicked out the cylinder and checked that it was loaded. I didn't like to use the gun often, but it pays to keep it ready. I learnt that lesson the hard way. I put the revolver into my right jacket pocket, and grabbed a handful of bullets from the box and stuffed them into the left pocket. I closed the box and pushed it away from me. I knew Madison didn't approve of me carrying around a piece, but I wasn't going to take any chances today. Not with Vadas involved.

"Don't look at me like that, Mad", I said to her, sensing she was just about to say something. "I know men like Vadas, and it's just a precaution".

"I know", she said", "but you know how I worry. I think you're going to be asking for more trouble carrying around that thing".

"You know me", I smiled, "trouble finds me, not the other way". She didn't look impressed, but she returned my smile. I downed the rest of my now-cold cup of coffee, and got up out of my chair. I made my way toward the door.

"What are you going to do?", asked Madison as I walked past her. "You don't believe all that lucky monkey business, do you?"

"I don't think it matters what I believe", I replied, "The only thing that matters is that Vadas is involved". It didn't take a psychic to know that Madison was concerned.

"Don't you worry though", I said with a grin, "I'll keep in touch throughout the day, and tell you all about it tomorrow". I continued toward the door, and Madison smiled. It was nice to see.

"Where are you going? The casino?", she asked. I shook my head. I didn't intend to walk into that place before I was ready.

"I'm going to get a drink", I replied and walked out of the office.