Whatshisname
"Alright, pick a card. Don't show me. Okay, put it back in the deck." He shuffles the cards, and pulls out the ace of hearts. "This is the ace of hearts," he says with a flourish, bringing a smile to the girl's pink lips. He sets the card facedown on the table next to the empty cosmopolitan glass. "Now keep your lovely eyes on the ace of hearts, please," he says as he sweeps up the deck. He cuts and shuffles with the expert hands of a dealer. He stops abruptly and pockets the deck. He looks up at her with a smile. "Now, do you remember your card?" She nods eagerly. He taps the ace of hearts, still facedown on the table, and picks it up. "Is this your card?"
The girl laughs delightedly: "The four of clubs! Yes!"
He smiles wider. "How did you do that?" she demands, leaning close and laying her hand on his. He blushes and looks down. "To tell you the Lord's honest truth, I don't know…"
She tilts her head with a frown. "I mean," he continues, "I can't fathom how I could pull anything off when I'm distracted by such a…dazzling goddess of a woman." The girl giggles. "You're so sweet." She kisses his lips. He counts in his head: 'Four…three…two…one…' He pulls away and smiles shyly. He stands. "I'll get you another drink," he says with a sly wink.
He walks past the bar, setting a counterfeit five dollar bill on the table, and steps into the sunlight. He strolls into an alley, pulling out the girls wallet to count. "One hundred, two hundred….five hundred." He grins. Beautiful, he congratulates himself as he pockets the wallet and slips into the crowded Paris street. That'll get me a new pair of boots…and that ascot I've been wanting…
He slows his pace when he notices two men walking toward him, talking seriously. They seem distracted enough, he reasons, and trips and falls into the shorter man. "Shit! Oh I'm so sorry, excuse me." He brushes past them, clasping the man's wallet in his left palm.
"I'd like that back please," the man's voice sounds in his ear. He stops dead, every muscle tense, ready to run. He turns and blinks innocently. "Beg pardon?"
The man extends his hand, his companion stepping confrontationally to his side. "My wallet. I'd like it back." He looks from one man to the other, weighing his chances. He breathes out slowly and hands the man his wallet. He turns to flee, but the taller man's hand catches his arm.
"Hang on," the man says quietly. "That was actually impressive. I didn't feel your hand…We could use you…How'd you like to come work for us?"
He steps back suspiciously. "Doing what?" The taller man smiles. "Something illegal." He offers his hand. "My name's Cobb."
He hesitates, glances behind him, sees the girl from the bar step into the street looking confused. He stops hesitating. He takes the hand. "Jimmy Eames."
The shorter man smiles as well. "Come with us, Mr. Eames."