Favourite. Chapter 12 Part 3

This novel is fictional, you should not look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of Nikita Savelyev’s Racing Action Movie, first published on F1News.ru…

Favourite. Chapter 12 Part 3

Night before the game. Casino

Pierrot mechanically looked for his watch – he was not allowed to be late, and immediately realized that there are no hours in the casino, so that nothing distracts players from the game. While the distribution was in progress, he turned and met the eyes of a young lady protruding from behind his shoulder – a spectacular brown-haired woman in a beautiful dress with a languid, seductive look. They met half an hour ago and Pierrot has given the lady something to drink. In a casino, such young ladies often cling to players – hunters of luck. The girl replied with a charming look and moved her plump, clear lips in a kind of air kiss. Piero nodded curtly in response. Now is not a casual acquaintance.

For the third time, Pierrot surreptitiously glanced at his cards, afraid that some unknown hostile force might have changed them while he was not looking. Everything is quiet. Two kings show off in the palm of their hands. Finally a good giveaway. And then came across some frivolous little things. Sometimes Pierrot also dared to play on it, but did not make it to the final draw, folded his cards and the stack of chips in front of him fell hopelessly. The croupier reveals the flop. A queen, ten and seven lie on the green cloth. Let’s play. Pierrot pushed forward a column of chips without hesitation. Almost all of his table companions followed suit. In order not to nervously squeeze the cards, Pierrot threw them face down in front of him.

The impassive hands of the croupier in snow-white gloves laid down the king of diamonds on the turn. Luck is on Piero’s side! He has three identical higher value cards. It’s hard to imagine how other players could argue with him. Against his will, a smile crept onto his face, Piero immediately wiped it away. A true gambler must always remain impartial. So far, he is a novice player and has not yet learned to fully control his face.

Without looking, Pierrot brought forward several more multicolored columns. The main thing is not to scare off opponents with too high a bet. There is only one competitor left. An elegant blond-haired man in an impeccable dark suit and bow tie, with a cold impenetrable face. You certainly don’t read anything in such a physiognomy.

The indifferent voice of the croupier. Pierrot felt his heart beat faster, stronger than at the start of the race. The river was a queen of hearts. Pierrot now has a Full House. The strongest possible combination in this game, the second player has no chance. With Piero’s hand he took all the remaining chips in front of him and with a knock, like a general sending soldiers into battle, sent them to the center of the table. His opponent immediately picked up some of his stacks with strong fingers and added them to the bank – a solid stack came out. What does he expect, I wonder? Well, we’ll find out now.

Without hiding his grin, Pierrot turned over the cards one by one. The people around him groaned in approval. Pierrot triumphantly reached for the imposing bench and then his opponent carelessly threw his pair of cards on the table. There was an enthusiastic roar. Two black ladies smiled mockingly on the green carpet. The second player has poker. Four cards of the same rank.

– The rarest case, in my memory, the second or third time. Four of a kind against a full house,’ the neat old man to Pierrot’s left sighed philosophically.

In addition, the well-known croupier moved the bank to the winner with a special spatula and calmly began to arrange columns of chips. Pierrot jumped up from his chair, his face burning treacherously. It was necessary to be so foolish! While any normal player would have done the same, who knew whimsical fortune was playing on a different field today.

To continue the game, you need to exchange more chips in the cashier. How much did he blow? More than expected to win a decent race. Horror! Under the angry gaze of Pierrot, his careless companion immediately disappeared from sight – she began to look for a more successful partner. That’s where she belongs.

All around, wherever you look, abundant gilding, sparkling chandeliers, antique lamps, intricate stucco, expensive paintings, antique statues, heavy carpets, pompous bas-reliefs, colored marble. The casino sought to both impress and overwhelm its guests with incredible luxury and pomp. Pierrot felt like a miserable grain of sand in these pretentious museum interiors, which more than one generation of losers consumed with indifference.

He rummaged in his jacket pockets and took out crumpled banknotes. For a decent bet in poker – not seriously, it’s not a tavern. Want to try your luck at roulette? Suddenly today a small metal ball jumps into the cherished cell and brings him the long-awaited jackpot? Or simple slot machines? Since luck is not favorable to him today, rely on blind chance.

An obliging waiter appeared next to me with a tray. Alcohol was served free of charge in the most luxurious room. Still, at such rates at the tables, all costs will pay off, and besides, a drunk person is much more reckless. Psychologists, fuck them!

Pierrot, without looking, grabbed the glass and took a good swig, the boiling drink set his confused nerves in order a little. The race is in the afternoon, but you must have time to sleep. Pierrot looked around. Oh yes, you can’t find a clock and there’s not a single window. Asking for the time seemed inappropriate.

Maybe losing is a sign it’s time to finish? My father also played cards sometimes, but not in a casino, but at home, with respectable seniors. Each time, he allocated a certain fixed amount to the game and never allowed himself to spend a lira more. It’s wise, whatever you say. On the other hand, some small things remained in the pockets, especially compared to what Piero blew, what’s the point of saving? Suddenly it turns out to break the bank? And if he is still unlucky today, perhaps he will run out of his limit of failures and fortune will smile on him tomorrow. Bad luck in the casino – luck in the race around the casino.

Private! Pierrot moved confidently to the roulette wheel. A knowledgeable person suggested a good strategy to him. Bet directly on a dozen, and if you lose, you double the bet. There is a good chance that the ball will end up in the right place, and when it finally flies there, you win everything back in one go. The main thing here is patience, even if it was never one of Pierrot’s main qualities: even in races, he preferred not to lag behind his opponent for a long time, but to attack immediately. But why not try?!

== To be continued…