Summary: Heart, spade, club, diamond. It's all just a puzzle to me. And puzzling is what I do best.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Professor Layton video game series, or any of the casino games mentioned.

The Ace

I count the cards as they fall. A thing of beauty. It is all out of my control, and yet it isn't. The casino could be called a kingdom, and me, a ruling peasant. Money is our language, and our minds pay the toll. Games are like old fables, and their players are storytellers; many are good at retelling them, few are great.

I am the best.

(Jack of clubs, Jack of diamonds, 10 of hearts, 7 of hearts, 3 of spades.)

I must admit, I mildly dislike the roulette wheel. Too many chances for me to calculate, too many failures. A boy's money could get lost out there. There are no opponents, only others who are putting their chips up with you. Almost, but not quite like you. Too messy, and far to demeaning for my intelligence.

(King of spades, 2 of clubs, 6 of diamonds)

There are two more Jacks in play mixing with the fourteen more clubs. One of my opponents just found one. It's nice to place a friendly wager with one person, but more is challenging. We all love our challenges here.

(Queen of diamonds, 9 of diamonds, 9 of clubs, King of hearts)

I absolutely despise the slot machines. I have no control over the wretched thing, it just is. It's all luck, no skill or worth behind it. A monkey could win the jackpot if it tried. I am not a monkey, I am a gentleman. I will continue to be a gentleman until I die.

(Jack of spades, 7 of spades, 4 of clubs, 6 of hearts)

Blackjack and I are old friends, he taught me how to read the cards, and the people. I visit him each time I am homesick, cutting a deck for me and myself. It's better that way, I think. No one could be a better teacher than the truth.

(8 of clubs, 10 of clubs, King of diamonds)

The man adjacent to me has 3 spades and one Queen. Now was the time. "I raise the bet 20 pounds." With snorts, the others match my bet. It wouldn't be a game without them, really. They offer much more then their money to the betting pool.

(6 of spades, Jack of hearts)

"Full House." I wore my cards like a trophy, and made sure that each was authentic. "I win, if no one here has any more." Silent looks were passed around the table. Of course not. I was a puzzle master after all. And people are just another puzzle to be solved.

I scooped up my winnings, eager for another round.

I watch the cards as they fall. I watch, and wait, and see.

Game set.

Do you want to play another round?

Author's Note: Yessir, chess master Clive with an eye for poker. He isn't a poker shark, he's a poker killer whale!

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Ill