7. Misfortune
Tom flipped his sad pair of fours onto the crate in front of him.
"I'm done." he proclaimed miserably. The Indian across from him smiled as he pulled the small fortune piled in the center towards him.
"The house always wins, my friend." said the olive skinned man to his right, one foot resting on a corner of their makeshift card table. "And we've been here longer than you."
"I am never playing with you guys again." Sawyer pressed the palms of his hands onto his eyelids and groaned.
"That's what you said last time." came the reply from the bearded man on his left. Tom frowned and slumped forward onto the crate.
The three crew members laughed good naturedly and patted the dishearten spy. When he shrugged them off, the laughter became louder and even more cheerful. Soon, the American's shoulders began to shake too and he sat up, grinning and shaking his head.
Tom rubbed a hand through his sandy hair and locked both behind his head.
"I don't suppose you take promise notes until I get more cash, do you?" The man in front of him laughed.
"No, but those pants must be worth something." Tom's face fell horrified, and the table erupted again. He shoved one of the sailors lightly when he realized the joke, but remained red until a soft tap on the metal walls came from behind him.
Jekyll poked his head around the doorway into the large storage room and smiled his shy smile.
"Good evening, gentlemen." The Indians nodded pleasantly at him and finished dealing another round. Tom turned to the doctor and smiled.
"Hey, Jekyll. What's up?" The doctor scooted further into view and rested a hand on the metal frame. His pale eyes were worried.
"Actually, I was wondering if any of you had seen Mr. Skinner, perhaps?"
"Not much to be seen, doctor." chuckled the bearded man, extending his arm out behind him as if searching. The group grinned back at Jekyll who softened slightly under the humor.
"Nope, sorry. I'll tell him you're looking for him if he comes by, though." Tom offered, rubbing the weak stubble on his chin.
"Thank you, Mr. Sawyer. I would appreciate if you would." Jekyll tipped his head and turned to leave.
"Wait! What's it you needed him for, anyway?"
Jekyll peered back into the room at Tom, bewildered. Tom mentally winced at his obvious meddling and curved the corner of his mouth in apology.
"If that's not too much to ask." He rested his elbows atop his knees and stared curiously at the doctor, who seemed to question disclosing anything or not, then finally sighed.
"Well…" Jekyll studied the door frame. "Mr. Skinner and I had a bit of an argument yesterday and I have yet to see him today. I am just worried that," the doctor gazed at his shoes and fidgeted with the cuffs of his jacket, "well, I'm not exactly sure what I'm worried about."
Tom grinned at the doctor. "Ahh, you know Skinner. He'll come around, don't worry about him." Jekyll glanced up at him and gave an unconvinced smile.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. Thank you, Mr. Sawyer." With that he made his quiet leave. Tom turned back to face his card partners, new cards already being exchanged.
"Wonder what that's about." Tom mumbled. The bearded sailor sorted his cards stony-faced.
"Lover's quarrel." he replied. Tom didn't stop sputtering until the infectious laughter circled the table.