"Any progress?"

"Nope. Absolutely nothin'. Are you sure this kid read people's minds? With me, he's as useless as a dull knife."

"He is. I am sure of it. Mugman is more than capable of reading others' minds. We just- haven't found a way to reawaken that part of him again.
Hm... How about this? Take him out onto the casino floor, will you, my darling? Perhaps getting him around throngs of people will help snap The Sight into action. That was what kickstarted it last time.
I trust your judgment, push him as far as you see fit. And, if you were feeling up to it, try and gain his trust. Be kind to the boy. He's gullible enough to believe you care if you put on a good enough act. If he feels comfortable around you, maybe that will help bring out The Sight."

"I'll try, boss. But, no promises. That whiny ass kid gits on my nerves like there's no tomorrow. But, I will try. Anythin' for you."

- Chapter Fifteen: The Casino Confrontation -

"Checkmate." King Dice said, leaning back in his chair. "Y'know, for a mind reader, you're pretty shit at chess."

King Dice and Mugman were in the Devil's Library playing chess. Despite Mugman's impressive display in the city square, he hadn't been able to use his powers since. Now the boy's days were filled with training from King Dice and the Devil, but all their efforts yielded nothing.

Mugman shifted uncomfortably as he gathered up the pieces, setting up for another round, but he remained eerily silent. He'd learned not to speak unless absolutely necessary with King Dice. The manager was ruthless with insults when provoked.

Taking a drag from his cigar, King Dice gestured to the boy. "You first."

Giving him a compliant nod, Mugman studied the board. Squeezing his eyes shut, he focused, trying to slip his way into King Dice's mind.

He'd done it once when King Dice had pushed him down the stairs. Back then, Mugman thought what he'd seen was just a terrible dream, but now he knew the truth.

What he saw in the depths of King Dice's mind haunted him, and he never told anyone what he saw. Mugman felt it was best to keep those nightmarish things to himself. If King Dice took note of people beginning to treat him differently, he wouldn't be pleased.

Did King Dice even know Mugman had entered his mind that day? The Devil did, that was for sure. Mugman wondered why the demon never asked him what he'd seen. Did the Devil already know?

King Dice made his move, capturing one of Mugman's pawns. He shot the boy a smirk, trying to goad him into playing more aggressively. His current strategy of trying to scare Mugman into using his powers wasn't working. Perhaps anger would kick The Sight into action? King Dice doubted it, Mugman was not one to succumb to anger, but it was worth a shot.

Fidgeting nervously, Mugman moved his queen. He tried once again to enter King Dice's mind but to no avail. As much as he didn't want to be a pawn of the Devil, he hated not being able to control these powers of his.

Every day he'd pushed himself harder to awaken his Sight once again, but no luck. It was as if there was a brick wall in his mind, separating him from this foreign part of himself -The Sight.

"Check." King Dice said, snapping Mugman back into reality.

Was Mugman this bad at chess? His cheeks flushed red in embarrassment and he kept his eyes focused on the ground. He felt like a failure, as usual.

"Hey." King Dice grabbed the boy's face, making Mugman look up at him. The boy flinched the moment King Dice grabbed him, preparing to be hit, but no blow came.

"Look at me." King Dice sighed.

Mugman nervously met his gaze, trembling.

"You're gettin' sloppy. Pay attention."

"S-sorry, sir." Mugman whispered, panickedly moving his king in response.

King Dice sighed in disappointment, entrapping Mugman's king in just one move. "And that's checkmate. God, kid. When I said pay attention, I didn't mean give the win to me on my next goddamn turn."

Shaking his head, King Dice reached into his suit pocket, taking a swig from his flask. "C'mon. We're done here. This obviously ain't workin'." He stood up, grabbing Mugman by the crook of his arm and pulling him along as if the boy were nothing more than a toy.

"Today we're gonna try somethin' different to wake up that Sight o' yours." King Dice continued as he pulled Mugman along. "This evenin', I think I gonna have you help me catch some casino cheaters."

Remember the drinks.

Curved glass means they aren't a cheater. Angular means they are.

If they've got cards up their sleeve, fix your sleeve. If they're in their vest, fidget with your suspenders. If they're somewhere else, get a message to King Dice when you get the chance. Point if all else fails.

Mugman had been rehearsing all afternoon. King Dice had brainstormed a plan for the pair of them to catch some casino cheaters, complete with secret codes and gestures. He didn't like Dice one bit, but Mugman had to admit that he was excited to help Dice catch some cheaters. It was scary, but also exciting; it was like he was a secret agent.

The boy was curled up in the staff commons, watching the fire crackle and roar in the room's ornate fireplace. It reminded Mugman of the cold winter nights back home. Elder Kettle would be fast asleep in his rocking chair while little Cuphead and Mugman sipped hot cocoa by the fire. Such sweet memories.

Nowadays, none of them had time to sit and enjoy each other's company. Elder Kettle was always hard at work tending to the casino staff. Cuphead spent his days in the Colosseum. Mugamn would spend his time in the library. Whenever they had a chance, Cuphead and Mugman would help Elder Kettle in the staff commons, but their free time was quickly diminishing. Mugman sorely missed all the time he used to spend with his family. If only he'd appreciated it more when he'd had it...

Someone approached from behind, tapping Mugman on the shoulder.

Snapping to attention, Mugman looked up to see King Dice.

"C'mon, kid. It's 'bout time we git goin'. Those cheaters ain't gonna catch themselves."

"Oh! Yessir." Mugman replied, standing up and following King Dice, his hands placed behind his back. He waved to Elder Kettle as he left, giving his guardian a big smile. Elder Kettle smiled back, with a hint of pain in his eyes. His little boys were growing up so fast. Too fast. And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Shutting the commons door behind him, King Dice and Mugman descended the palace stairs, stopping in front of the casino doors. King Dice grabbed a silver tray from a nearby end table, handing it to Mugman. "You'll need this. Now, do you remember what I tol' you earlier?"

"Curved means they ain't cheatin'. Angular means they are. If they're a cheater, I signal you where their cards are hidden!" Mugman recited perfectly.

King Dice raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Looks like a fink like you has got some brains in there after all."

"O-oh! Thank you, sir." Mugman stuttered. He hadn't expected Dice to say something nice to him for a change. He guessed this would be the closest he ever got to impressing the casino manager.

"Well, it looks like you're all set. You ready?"

Mugman nodded, putting on a big smile. "I'm ready."

"Good." King Dice said, putting an arm around Mugman's shoulders, yanking him close. "Now, don't fuck it up." He whispered, plastering on his signature smile.

Mugman's momentary hope withered. That's right... He had to use The Sight on command, something he'd never done before. If he failed, what would happen then?

King Dice, still having his arm wrapped around Mugman's shoulders, pushed through the gilded palace doors and into the Devil's Casino.

As the doors swung open, it was like time froze. All of the casino's patrons stopped what they were doing, eyes fixated on King Dice and Mugman. It had been some time since anyone had seen either of the brothers. What did they think of him now?

News of Mugman's fiasco in the Third Isle had spread like wildfire. Every newspaper Mugman saw after that terrible day had pictures of him plastered on the cover page, front and center. Mugman was sure everyone must hate him now, only seeing him as a mindless pawn of the Devil's. Mugman kept his head low as he walked. If anyone he knew was here tonight, he didn't want to see their faces. He despised the looks of horror and resentment he had grown accustomed to receiving.

"There." King Dice muttered, catching Mugman's attention. Dice was pointing toward a poker table in the center of the casino floor. "Do your mind readin' thing, an' make it snappy. I don't need anyone gettin' ideas about what you're doin'."

Mugman nodded, shaking slightly. This was it, his moment of truth.

He gave King Dice a determined look, if he couldn't make the citizens of Inkwell proud, he might as well try and make King Dice proud. Or at least, make Dice not hate him. Taking deep breaths, Mugman calmed his racing mind, closing his eyes and resting up against a pillar.

There had been a building pressure in his head the last time he'd used The Sight -not too different from a headache. He had to notice it. Focus on it. Then it would show itself.

When he was up in the library with King Dice, he could never get himself to focus on the strange pressure. Was Mugman afraid of what he might see if he entered King Dice's mind again? Absolutely. But out here, he felt a little braver. He could pretend to be someone else, a spy on a secret mission to save the world, entering the minds of scummy criminals. Mugman liked that fantasy.

Opening his eyes slightly, he scanned the five patrons seated around the poker table. Inhaling and exhaling slowly, his focus honed in. His head was beginning to ache. There were so many thoughts around him, fighting for his attention, but he had to focus on this one poker table.

He could do it. Something deep down inside him knew he could. He just had to set that part of himself free. Closing his eyes, Mugman kept his attention locked on the building pressure in his mind, letting it wash over him like a wave of water...

There were five sitting at the silhouetted poker table. Each of them was deathly still like they were statues. Mugman approached carefully, looking around. All he could see in this strange place was the poker table and its players. Everything else was engulfed in darkness.

His Sight had worked! Now he just had to determine if there were any cheaters at the table. A soft smile formed on Mugman's face. He wasn't so useless after all.

Mugman reached out, touching one of the players. In an instant, he was filled with emotions so different from his own. Thoughts that weren't his. Like the voice in his head had suddenly become sentient. Mugman really had done it!

The first player Mugman read was incredibly nervous. His mind was engulfed in panicked thoughts. He hadn't the slightest clue how to play poker, but he needed the money. Badly. But, despite his desperation, there was no intention of cheating in him. Mugman wished the poor man would just leave, and find money elsewhere, but his resolve was strong. Nothing would change this one's mind.

Another player had a deep seeded desire for attention. It was overwhelming, radiating off of him like heat waves. A need to be in the spotlight. He bet outlandishly, but not without backup cards hidden in his sleeve. Cheater.

There were two other cheaters at the table. While not as bold as the first cheater, they had a few cards stowed away just in case, their hearts pounding out of their chests. What would happen if they got caught? They didn't want to know. Mugman felt a twinge of pity, but they should've known better. Cheating the Devil got you nothing but pain.

Then, there was the last one. A fork woman. Mugman didn't dare step near her, even in this strange dimension. This one was dangerous. Rage filled her heart. While there were no hidden cards, there was a weapon holstered on her side, hidden beneath her coat. A revolver. This woman had a score to settle and nothing but bloodshed would satisfy her. Mugman backed away from her as quickly as possible, his heart racing. He had to tell King Dice.

As quickly as it came, the strange world of his visions faded. Mugman grimaced as he opened his eyes, overwhelmed by the bright lights of the casino.

There was King Dice, looking down at him, an impatient scowl on his face. "Well? Didja do it?"

Mugman nodded, opening his mouth to speak, but King Dice cut him off.

"Heh. Took ya long enough to learn to use that shit. Now, you better have found somethin' good an' not jus' a pile o' bull. I had to jus' stand here while you were whippin' your head around an' mutterin' thins like you were possessed."

"I-I did, Mister King Dice, sir. I promise. But, there's somethin' else. Somethin' I gotta tell you-" Mugman said, panic rising.

"Later." King Dice responded curtly, rolling his eyes. "I've wasted enough time jus' standin' here waitin' for you to finish your lil' fit. Git to it, now."

With that, King Dice spun on his heel and hurried off before Mugman could say anything, sitting down at the poker table.

"You have room for one more, eh Pirouletta? Excellent. Now be a doll an' deal me up some cards." King Dice exclaimed grinning.

Mugman's stomach churned as he watched from a distance. If only King Dice knew how close he was to death. The woman with the revolver fixed her gaze on Dice, a smile playing at the corner of her lips. Had King Dice been her target all along?

The boy waited a moment, watching to see when the players were all settled. Then, Mugman took a deep breath, steeling himself as he approached the poker table.

"Can I get you fine folk anythin' to drink this lovely evenin'?" Mugman asked, forcing himself to smile.

He hated his smile nowadays -you could see his fangs when he smiled-, but King Dice would be furious if he didn't smile, so Mugman had no choice.

The fork woman chuckled, raising her eyebrow at him. "Well, well. Wouldya lookit that. The Prince of Hell himself is servin' us, lowlifes. Why ain't ya up in your ivory tower? Did mind controllin' innocent citizens get too boring for ya?" She sneered.

Mugman gritted his teeth, trying to not let his face show how much her words hurt him. "Ah. Erm, I'm workin' tonight. A-all of the Devil's servants work in the Devil's Casino. Me and my brother ain't an exception. We're cheaters, through and through like the rest of 'em. We ain't princes, that's for sure, m-miss."

"Sure. Ya definitely seem to have a hard life holed up in a cushy place like this. But, no matter. Some people jus' never know how good they have it." The woman bitterly chuckled, adjusting her coat. "Oh, and I'll have an Old Fashioned. Might as well make ya useful."

Mugman could barely breathe. Between her insults and his knowledge of her secret, trying to remain calm was a nightmare. Every time she adjusted, he was sure she was pulling out her gun. How on earth was he going to warn King Dice before this woman started shooting?

Nervously taking the other patrons' orders, Mugman hurried off to a recovering Ol' Ethan, who was running the bar once again. While the rum glass was confused by the specificity of Mugman's requests for the shapes of the drinkware, he didn't question it. This wasn't the first time King Dice had tried out schemes like this to catch cheaters, but with a mind reader on his side, maybe it would work this time.

As Ol' Ethan hobbled back and forth across the bar, loading up Mugman's tray, the boy fidgeted incessantly. Mugman had to say something, he just didn't know how. But, then again... King Dice was smart. He would be able to handle it, Mugman just had to not distract him.

Ol' Ethan pushed the full tray back towards the boy and Mugman took it carefully, walking over to the poker table as if he were walking a tightrope. The last thing he wanted was to stumble and make a scene.

"Here you are, sirs and madam!" Mugman chirped, setting out the patrons' drinks. Three angular, three curved.

Mugman shot King Dice a small smile as he handed each patron their drink. The manager nodded, a mischievous glint in his eye.

The fork woman rolled her eyes, disillusioned with Mugman's cheery display, but the boy was determined to not let her see through him.

"I hope you enjoy, and may Lady Luck be on your side this lovely night!" Mugman forced himself to say with a small bow.

King Dice motioned him away and the game began.

The first few rounds went smoothly. King Dice closely eyeing those marked as cheaters but saying nothing. He'd wait for them to slip up, then make his move.

The cocky patron was caught first. After he'd won three rounds in a row, King Dice glanced over at Mugman, who casually adjusted his sleeve. Surely enough, when two large imps guards came up behind the cheater and forcefully searched him, there were in fact, cards in his sleeve. He was dragged away kicking and screaming. It was ironic to Mugman. The cheater finally got the attention he was looking for, just not in the way he wanted.

The other pair of cheaters, seemingly good friends were not apprehended as quickly, and the suspense was beginning to get the better of them. After seeing what had happened to the first cheater? They were in big trouble, they just knew it. But when? When would King Dice confront them?

The game dragged on and on, becoming more and more intense. The novice patron was overwhelmed, lost in the endless slew of rules, trying desperately to keep his money and maybe gain a cent or two. He was out of cash within the first fifteen rounds.

The pair of cheaters eventually quit, getting up and leaving without a word. A few imps followed closely behind, jumping the two when they least expected it. Mugman lowered his head, turning away. Cheating was a death sentence here, everyone knew it, but it didn't make watching cheaters get caught any easier.

The only two who remained in the game were King Dice and the fork woman. Dice had quickly taken note of her aggressive nature towards him and responded by making it his sole mission to ensure she didn't win. Thirty rounds in and the two were neck and neck, focused on showing the other up with every move they made.

A strange sick feeling tugged at Mugman's stomach. It confused him. He didn't even know why, but he was worried.

He cared about King Dice's safety.

Maybe it was the Devil controlling his soul, but he didn't think so. The boy studied King Dice, looking him up to down over and over. He'd been thinking about King Dice ever since he entered his mind, back when he'd been pushed down the stairs.

The King Dice that Mugman met inside in the vision seemed so different. Panicking, holding on to his last shred of sanity. Desperate for love. On the brink of being forgotten.

It was odd, and Mugman had felt a strange bond towards him ever since. Like, King Dice at his core, was just another victim of the Devil. Mugman could feel it, and he was determined to help. What if he could save King Dice? Show him the error of his ways? But, he couldn't do any of that if King Dice was dead.

The fork woman's resolve was growing. Mugman could feel it. She was going to kill someone tonight, that was certain in her mind. If only Mugman could understand why. Why would she go this far to cause such violence? Who had the Devil wronged to make her so deadset on vengeance?

But, then again, the Devil was known for tricking innocents. In a different world, Mugman could see Ginette being in the fork woman's position. In a world where her children had welched out on a deal and gotten themselves stuck as the Devil's servants. In a terrible spot like that, violence would seem like the only answer. It seemed that the Devil had taken away something important from this woman, and she was hellbent on taking something important away from him in return.

Mugman inhaled, then exhaled. He didn't have much time left before she made her move. He would have to shoot the gun out of her hand. It was the only way he could stop the slaughter before it started, without drawing the fork's attention to himself too soon. Mugman shifted into an attack stance, poised to strike.

The fork woman began to laugh, amused by a joke King Dice had made. The malicious intent behind her fake smile was radiating outward. "Ya know, Dicey, I think youse is the funniest man I did ever meet!" She said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye.

Mugman watched her begin to reach for something beneath her coat. He tensed up.

"Y'know what will be really funny?" The fork woman shrieked, still laughing, but now with a frightening look of excitement on her face. "When I get to see the Devil cryin' like a lil' baby over your corpse!" Her hand shot out at the speed of light, pointing the gun at King Dice's head.

Mugman swung into action, filled with adrenaline-filled determination. Time seemed to slow, seconds now crawling by. Mugman could see King Dice's smug expression shifting into one of genuine surprise and fear. He'd been caught off guard, with no way to save himself in time. Mugman took aim, hoping upon hope that he wouldn't miss. No second chances this time. Then, he fired.

The projectile from his peashooter soared through the air. Mugman held his breath, aiming a second shot, but the first was all he needed. The bullet hit the revolver perfectly mere moments before the fork would've pulled the trigger. The gun was flung into the air and King Dice, still recovering from the shock, clumsily caught it.

Other patrons screamed, leaping back. Staff members were stopping dead in their tracks. Dumbfounded by what they'd just witnessed. An attack on the life of the Devil's right-hand man.

Mugman darted over, grabbing the fork woman by the arm and pressing his finger blaster into her back. "Don't. Try. Anythin'." He said threateningly.

The woman was too shocked to speak, still processing what had just happened. Then, the realization came and she attempted to struggle, but King Dice had cocked her gun and aimed it at her head.

"You'd better listen to the kid, missy, or you'll be havin' yourself the last kiss-off." King Dice hissed, his eyes glowing green as two of his playing cards slipped out of his sleeve and enlarging behind him. "Now, you, my darlin', are gittin' a one-way ticket to see the Devil."

The playing cards marched forward, seizing the fork woman. Her eyes were full of tears and she grabbed Mugman's arm, her eyes meeting his. "You... You're a monster." She whispered, her face full of disbelief. "After everythin' they put you through, you side with the Devil? How could you?"

It was like a punch to the gut. Mugman didn't reply. He didn't have the words. The fork smiled bitterly, seeing her words had hit their mark, but before she could insult him further, she was dragged away.

Only King Dice and Mugman remained, both still processing everything that had just happened.

"I, uh... I'm guessin' that was what you wanted to tell me, huh?" King Dice sighed, inspecting the revolver. He couldn't believe how close he'd been to death.

"Yessir." Mugman replied softly. He felt sick to his stomach. Was he really a sellout?

King Dice glanced down at him, noticing the boy's guilty face. "Don't let her words git to you, kid. You did your job, ain't nothin' more than that."

Mugman paused. Was King Dice being nice..? He didn't trust it one bit, but it was a nice change.

"Let's git you back up the palace, huh? I think that's 'nough mind readin' for one day." King Dice said, leading Mugman back upstairs.

The casino manager's mind was spinning in circles. Mugman had saved his life. Why? Dice had done nothing but hurt this kid, hell -he'd almost killed the boy, and Mugman repays him by saving his life?

King Dice loathed owing anything to anyone, and owing his life to this kid? He despised it, but in an odd way, it brought a warm feeling to his heart. One he hadn't felt in a long long time.

Was this what happened to Ginette? Were these kids just consistently this nice and they stole her heart away? He could sort of understand it now. It was strange. Here in the Devil's Casino, no one was kind toward each other. The boys' way of doing things was like a breath of fresh air. King Dice could get used to it. But, he wouldn't. King Dice refused to let himself be fooled into becoming soft. He was smarter than that.

Even if this kid was beginning to remind him of someone he once knew, from a long long time ago.