IX

FRANCO CAPABLANCA and you are, let me guess, probably the owner of this casino. I can tell from the scared faces. I have heard stories about you monsieur 'Impavido leone', Le lion qui ne tremble pas they said, and I can tell that you're quite fearless, care for a game ?"

Yuba then responded: Franco Capablanca... I have heard the name somewhere ... So you speak french, I see, I have heard that a Parisian gambler was strolling through Italy while being undefeated, they call you're dei gochi', The King of Games, quite ambitious arentcha? So now you are telling me, you are coming to my CASINO, YOU WIN EVERY GAME, MAKE MY CUSTOMERS LOSE CONSECUTIVELY, AND LEAVE THE FUCKING CASINO WHICH MEANS THAT I LOSE MONEY BECAUSE OF YOU, AND YOU DARE, YOU OF ALL PEOPLE, AND UNDERAGE SELF PROCLAIMED MASTER OF GAMES CHALLENGE ME? Sure, why not. I am in for the game, you have one hour ."

Franco started giggling with excitement, and couldn't control the fucked up grimaces he made with his face then said:" Pardon monsieur, I got a little bit too excited. I am glad you accepted my challenge, you sure are an interesting one, not a boring one like other pussy gamblers. Shall we? Pick your poison monsieur, chess, mahjong, blackjack, Parcheesi, xiangqi ... "

Yuba then interrupted Franco and said: " This is a casino, a place where people gamble, there is nothing better than a classic poker game."

Capablanca then took a mysterious gold coin from his pocket, flipped it, and confidently said: " Poker it is then monsieur. The classic, Texas hold'em, the rules are simple and known. One hand for each one of us and there will be no folding, there is no turning back. If I win, I get to stay as much as I want in your casino, but if I lose, I will start working with you, and for every game I win, you will get the whole loot of it ."

Yuba then started laughing then looked Franco dead in the eyes and responded :

" I agree. But you made one mistake mon cher Franco, NOBODY WORKS WITH ME, EVERYBODY WORKS FOR ME."

One of the workers set the poker table and was ready to distribute the cards, then suddenly the capo that informed Yuba went to him and tapped his shoulder, and said :

" Impavido, may I have a word ?"

Yuba then replied: Sure man, what's up ?"

The capo started murmuring into Yubas ears:" Be careful, I have heard that Franco somehow cheats, he always has a crazy hand. You have to figure out how he is cheating, so you could pin him ."

Yuba then said: "Don't worry man, my senses are sharp like a knife, nobody can fool my instincts. Now, Franco, you wouldn't mind if my capo distributed the cards right? You can of course check the pack of cards, we will use a sealed one so that you could be sure that I won't cheat."

Franco then started laughing and responded:" No need for all of this fuss, I know you won't cheat, and even if you do, my biggest high is winning against all odds. "

Yuba then said: " Alright, then let the game begin, but before we do, I have a proposition to add some spice and danger to the game. Each one of us will have some chips, each chip doesn't necessarily mean money but a sacrifice. For instance, I could raise by giving you my suit or this casino even. Every chip represents something that we hold dear, now then don't disappoint and think of something you could sacrifice. "

Franco then started maniacally and looked dead eye into Yuba while his pupils are dilated then responded: "

You are fucking crazy aren't you Monsieur Yuba? I love that about you the most. This might be the game of the century, my holy grail ."

The capo then started shuffling cards quickly and professionally and then started distributing the cards, one for Yuba then one for Franco, then again one for Yuba, and then one for Franco. Then the capo started slowly unfolding the 3 cards he put in the middle of the table. The cards whereas the following:

The king of hearts.

7 of clubs.

5 of clubs.

Both gentlemen started smiling trying to fool each other into thinking that they have crucial hands, but Yuba had a very lucky hand, the 7 of hearts and the 7 of diamonds. Yuba was already in the lead with a 3-of-a-kind (7 7 7 ). He then looked confidently at Franco and said :

" RAISE, I raise you with this casino. You win this poker game and it's all yours little boy ."

Franco Capablanca smirked and replied:" Not bad as a start, it would be impolite if I don't raise too, wouldn't it? THEN I raise with all the loot I gathered from all the casinos I rampaged with my immaculate poker skills, 2 million dollars. There you go !"

The capo then flipped the fourth card, it is none other than the 7 of spades.

"A four of a kind, what are the odds? A chance of 0.02401% for it to embody. This is literally like Jesus rising from his ashes on Easter. Perhaps Lady Luck is truly smiling..." Yuba thought to himself.

He then proceeds to crack his neck, left and right, then said:" Now little boy shall we get straight to business? I raise with all my 4 casinos, you could take the bakery too, I am informed that kids in general like sweets and bakeries, then if you win you could grab a croissant for yourself when we are done here."

Franco then replied:" Mmmm the main course, oh and by the way, I like the sarcasm, you are very fun to talk to. Well, then I RAISE with this little cutie here, A BLUE DIAMOND. I won it in a game of chess against a foolish aristocrat back in Monaco. It's said that the blue diamond is the most expensive precious stone up there, averaging in the 4 million per carat if I recall. And as you can see, this one is a pretty fat stone, so it costs a fortune, a literal walking bank. Of course, you can bring a gemologist or a jeweler to check this fat baby and see if it's a real one, but I can guarantee you that it's not made in china. "

Yuba then answered:" I trust you, little boy. I can tell that this gem will look pretty on Numidia's neck, wouldn't you agree Fratello ?"

The capo then responded: "It sure will do Impavido. A free win. This boy is clearly lost, playing with fire... "

Yuba then said: "Ehh no need to play mind games on the little boy. I can tell that his mind is quite strong, or that he is just crazy as fuck. Either way, his poker face is quite remarkable to pull with that little cute face of his, looking malnutritioned although? Hasn't mama fed you with her breast milk today or what ?"