Tulio woke up late next morning. He realized that he had still lost his ribbon. He decided to walk to Rosa's house and see if she could give him a new one.
"Sure, Tulio," she said. She got out a purple ribbon and handed it to Tulio. He smiled and thanked Rosa, tying his hair into a ponytail with the ribbon.
"So, what are we doing today?" he asked. Rosa shrugged.
"Not sure. What do you want to do?"
"Well... I always wanted to try playing dice. I saw some men playing a game of dice in the plaza. Maybe we could go there and play, too. I hear you can make good money playing."
"Well, okay. But just so you know, I have to bring Miguel with us."
"Why?"
"Because my parents want me to watch him, that's why."
Tulio sighed. "Fine. Bring him here." Rosa called for her little brother. Miguel walked downstairs.
"What is it, Rosa?"
"We're going to the plaza."
"Why are we going there? And why do I have to come?"
"Because I have to watch you, and me and Tulio are gonna play dice. Now hurry up!" Miguel sighed and nodded. Rosa smirked and ruffled her younger brother's hair, much to his exasperation. The trio walked to the plaza together. It was bustling with people and quite busy. The plaza was absolutely crowded. In the distance, two men were playing a game of dice together. Tulio and Rosa approached them.
"Uh, h-hi. We were wondering if one of you could show us how to play dice," Tulio said.
"Sure, kid, but it'll cost ya," one of the men replied.
"How much?"
"Oh, let's say... a hundred pesetas."
"A hundred pesetas?! Are you out of your mind? We don't even have five pesetas!" Rosa exclaimed.
"Ya might as well leave then, kid. No money, no lessons... unless..."
"Unless what?" Tulio asked.
"Unless you do a job for us."
Rosa sighed. "It better be a quick job. What do we gotta do?"
"This one guy, Dante Garcia, he owes us money. You gotta find a way to make him talk, or else we kill 'im. Got it?"
"Ugh, fine. But only because we want lessons. Come on, Miguel, let's go." So the three of them went to search for Dante. They asked an elderly man if he knew where Dante was.
"Ah, Garcia? He hangs around the local tavern, usually in the back."
"Thanks, mister," Miguel said. The trio went to the tavern. Rosa asked the bartender where Dante was.
"Dante is over there, to the right," he pointed to a man with brown eyes, tan skin, a full beard, and shoulder length greasy black hair. They walked over to him.
"Are you Dante Garcia?" Rosa asked.
"Yeah, that's me. What do you want, kid? It better be important."
"We want you to talk. You owe money to someone," Tulio said.
"Oh, no. Don't tell me. The Fernandez brothers again? Why are a bunch of little kids like you guys working for them?"
"Because they're gonna teach us how to play dice."
"Whatever they say is a dirty lie, sport. They ain't gonna teach ya a thing. They'll rob ya blind, just like they robbed me. I don't play dice, myself, but I know someone who does. Look, if you kiddies help me get my money back, I'll take you to the guy who can teach you."
"You have yourself a deal," Rosa said. Dante smirked, and they all went back to the Fernandez brothers.
"Diego! Jose! Give me my money back!" Dante yelled, a knife in his hand. The Fernandez brothers simply laughed.
"I SAID GIVE ME MY MONEY!" Dante shouted louder, lunging at Jose with the knife. The knife pierced Jose in the chest, making him bleed quite a lot. Diego glared at Dante, punching him in the face.
"You there, kid! Get the guards!" Dante said to Miguel. Miguel nodded and ran to one of the guards.
"What is it, boy?" The guard asked.
"There's a fight going on in the plaza. A man had his money stolen." The guard sighed and let Miguel lead the way. He arrested the Fernandez brothers and handed Dante's money back to him.
"You little brats! You'll pay for this," Jose screamed out.
"Ah, shut up, you crook," the guard replied as he led the brothers away.
"Thank you so much, all of you. Now, as I promised, I'm gonna take you to the guy I know." Dante led the teens to Rosa and Miguel's parents' house. They looked confused.
"This is our house," Miguel said.
"Oh, really? Hmmm..." Dante knocked on the door. Rosa and Miguel's father opened the door.
"Alejandro, some kids want to learn how to play dice," Dante said. Alejandro looked at two of the three teenagers.
"Dante, these are my children."
"Oh... wasn't aware."
"I didn't know you were a gambler, papa," Miguel said. Alejandro sighed.
"I didn't want you two or your madre to find out, Miguel. Now only she doesn't know... let's keep it that way."
"So are you gonna teach us or what?" Tulio asked.
Alejandro nodded. He taught Tulio, Miguel and Rosa everything he knew about dice. Days passed, and soon the three kids were experienced with playing.
"Thank you for teaching us, papa," Rosa said.
"You're welcome, cariño. Just don't get into any trouble, honey," Alejandro replied. He kissed his daughter's forehead. Rosa, Tulio and Miguel went out to play dice with each other.
"I like playing dice," Tulio said. "You know, Miguel, me and you could make a living off of this..."