For a Buck I Might
Cards flew threw the air as they were tossed back down to the table, and groans of many dissatisfied newsies rose above the noise of chattering that filled the bunkroom. Race removed the cigar from his mouth cradling it between his two fingers, with one quick swipe the coins, buttons, marbles, and various other objects were in front of him.
"Well I am out." Jack tossed in the towel. It was obvious to him and probably a couple others that Race had been cheating, but there was not a need to call him out on it.
Skittery slammed his palm against the table; he had just lost all of his money for the next three days in the damn poker game with Race. He leaned back in his chair letting out a heavy sigh, contemplating what to do next.
Race rested his cigar on the table as he shuffled the cards a couple of times as he looked up at the guys, "Any one still in?" He inquired looking mainly over at Mush; he was the only one who had not called it quits yet.
Mush removed a couple coins from his pocket; it was bread from the nuns tomorrow. Maybe he could split it in half and save some for lunch. Race had almost cleaned him out, "Nah, I've grown to like sleepin' indoors."
"So, now what boys?" Race placed the cards in the center of the table and picked up his cigar once more, he was not ready to end the night.
Jack's mouth was partly open to form words when a storm blew into the bunkroom catching his eye. Olivia was like a tornado; she took out who ever was in her way without a care. Most of the newsies had suffered her wrath at one point or another. Slamming into Kid Blink, and it clearly being fault, she spat, "Watch where you're going!" Liv gave Blink an extra shove as she made it over to her bunk. People always said that Skittery was in a grumpy mood, but Olivia, she always seemed to be in a permanent bad mood, worse than him sometimes. If there ever was a newsie who did not have many friends, this person would be Olivia. No one knew much about her past, only because no one wanted to attempt to talk to her. Olivia's temper flared often earning her a nickname Livid Livia. Often she blew up at people for no reason at all.
"One more game, I need the money." Skittery finally gave into Race. He needed to win his money back for papers and rent tomorrow. He was about to add no cheating to Race, but Jack cut him off.
"I've gotta betta idea." Jack leaned closer towards the table, resting his elbow on the table edge. Olivia was a pain in Jack's side, so why not just mess around a bit with her.
Skittery sighed deeply; this was the last time he ever played cards with this lousy lot. All he wanted to do was win back some money, but Jack had to go and have an idea. This ought to be interesting, he thought to himself as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned back waiting on Jack's profound idea.
Race followed Jack's gaze over to the girl sitting on the bunk he had somewhat of an idea of where this was going to go. Jack looked back at Mush, Skittery, and Race, "I dare one of ya to go talk to her." Jack sounded like he was a child daring one of the other boys to go up and talk to the girl, who just might have cooties.
Mush glanced quickly at Olivia making sure that she did not see him looking over that way. He got up to leave, if one thing he knew, it was that he was not going to feed him self to the lioness.
"How about we place a bet on it?" Race promptly added to what Jack suggested.
Mush shook his head, "Nah, not for me." He picked up what small winnings he had and headed over towards his bunk.
Skittery leaned forwards, this peaked his interest a little. Now that there was a bet placed on it, "How much?"