Jack Spade - Card Shark - Chapter 1

Jack Spade - Card Shark
Chapter 1

It was a cold and wet Friday afternoon, and there was nothing going down anywhere that interested Jack. He was a bit strapped for cash this week as it was his daughters birthday and the wife had made him hand over an extra £50 to pay for a present and some party food. Jack pondered for while, then temptation got the better of him and he headed for the local pub where he knew there would be a few regulars outback playing cards. Maybe he would get lucky today and win some money back. Who knew, he could maybe win enough to pay some off the £500 he owed at the bookies.....

He left the house and turned the collar of his coat up to get a little protection from the rain, and headed directly to the pub. It was a five minute walk for him, and he already felt pretty miserable because he hated the rain. By the time he reached the pub his coat was dripping wet, and his mood about matched it too.

The landlord greeted him with a grunt and nodded towards the back room, where three others were sat dealing cards and a small pile of money was heaped in the ashtray in the centre of the table. They all looked up momentarily from their game and nodded to an empty chair for him to join them on the next deal. Jack felt it was his turn to be lucky, so he'd already made sure he had every last pound on him to increase his odds of winning.

The next game started and Jack was dealt his hand. He looked at his cards and a rush of adrenaline shot through his body as he saw the ace of hearts and ace of diamonds he had been dealt. Three cards turned over were seven of clubs ace of spades nine of spades. He has three aces now and bets £20. One man calls him to stay in the game, The next card turned is Jack of clubs, then the ace of clubs. He's so sure of himself now though he keeps up his poker face, four aces must be a winner so he bets another £20 and his opponent calls his bet and turns his two cards, eight of clubs and nine of clubs - a straight flush, seven to Jack of clubs. Jack is crestfallen, and a cold numbness overcame him and sweat appeared on his brow and upper lip. He knew for sure now he must carry on and win the next game.

He sat and breathed deeply to calm his growing nervousness. He knew that he had to remain cool with these men or he would be lost before he began. The next round was dealt and Jack again breathed a deep breath as he uncovered what looked to him to be a very good hand again. Yet again the betting commenced until Jack's money was depleted, then hands were exposed and this time he gave an audible gasp at the realisation he had lost yet again. His heart seemed to stop beating for a few seconds and he stood, made his excuses and left the room. Now he was in a real fix.

The wife had told him to get a £10 token for the electric meter before he returned home, and he simply didn't have a penny left to do that. He knew there would be another row when he returned home. He hadn't wanted it to turn out this way, he wanted to show her he was sorting himself out by paying off some debt he'd raised. But now he knew for certain that she would be angry with him. He walked slowly out of the pub and back into the pouring rain and headed home with his heart almost in his mouth with the fear and dread of what was to come.

He approached the door with trepidation, knowing he would be assaulted by a tirade of obscenities from his wife, so with a deep breath he opened the door and walked into the living room. His wife was talking on the phone, so he sat quietly in his chair and stared into space preparing himself foe the inevitable.

He was so right. The moment she put her phone down she demanded the electric token. He looked at her with sorrowful eyes and she knew in an instant that he had spent all his money and there was no token. The verbal tirade began again, and he was called every name she could think up and then some more, finally telling him to get the hell out of the house and not to come back until he had sorted himself out.

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