Bart – Pappy, Poker and Women

I'd had a most productive afternoon, sittin' in the gaming salon playin' five card draw. Besides profitable it was soothing, and was exactly what I needed after spending a night with Danielle. The only thing that would have been as comforting would have been an afternoon with the leggy can-can girl. That was not to be, however, but there was always tonight to look forward to.

I gathered my winnings and made my apologies. "Sorry, gentlemen, I have a previous engagement that forces me to leave. It was a pleasure playing with you." I stood up and tipped my hat, hurrying to be on time for our meetin' with Pappy. I found him, sitiin' by himself in the dining room, and he looked a little lost. So far this birthday trip hadn't turned out the way he was expectin' it to, either.

"Well, at least one of you's on time." He sounded . . . disappointed. Before it actually turned two o'clock, I saw Bret hurrying through tables and booths, doing his best to get there, and wearin' a smile on his face. It was nice to see my brother in a good mood.

"Barely made it, boy," Pappy pointed out, but it didn't change Bret's smile. "Did you have lunch yet?"

"I did, Pappy," Bret replied happily.

"With Collette?" I asked mischievously.

"As a matter of fact, yes. What about you and Danielle?"

"We parted a little earlier than I'd hoped for." I turned my attention to Pappy. "You and Olivia?"

"No, she had lunch with a friend. And I'm about starved. Here, waiter, here!" And Pappy beckoned a waiter over to the table. "We'll have two club sandwiches, and all three will have coffee." He turned to Bret. "I assume coffee is good for you?"

Bret smiled, and the dimples appeared. "Yes, sir, just fine."

"Want to see another can-can show tonight?" I asked.

The dimples stayed in place. "I already am. I'm going to see Collette in the first show, then play a little poker and meet her after the second one."

"Enough with the can-can show. You two act like you're twelve years old."

"It wouldn't have been near as much fun if we were twelve years old." I got an ugly look from Pappy and a 'thumbs up' look from Brother Bret. I'd see if Bret's plan of action would work for Danielle. I was sure it would.

"Alright, Pappy, you wanted us here at two o'clock, and we're here. Now what did you want us for?"

The waiter came by with coffee and Pappy was momentarily silent. "Obviously, I had something to discuss with you."

"Regarding the man you pushed in the lake?"

I caught Bret AND Pappy by surprise. "Not quite as dumb as I look, am I?"

"Nobody ever said you were dumb, Bart. Just a slow learner."

"Never mind that. What is it about this guy, Pappy? Who is Elwood Singer? He ain't just some dumb card cheat. Is he?"

Before Pappy could answer, the waiter brought lunch. Pappy wasn't the only one that was starved and the food, once again, was excellent. We were practically silent as we wolfed it down, and explanations didn't resume until we were more than half done. "No, he's not a card sharp. If he is, he's about the worst I've ever seen. Remember when we had it out with Vic Hansboro?"

How could either one of us forget? We were both sure that Pappy was dead, gunned down for revenge by Hansboro. We considered ourselves lucky that Pappy's watch had deflected the bullet, and the doctor was able to get it out. Hansboro wasn't so lucky.

"There's still the matter of the missing twenty-thousand dollars from the bank. I think Singer is after it."

Bret and me looked at each other. That would explain things. Elwood Singer was probably a lot of things, but a card sharp wasn't one of them. But if he was a bounty hunter or an insurance man lookin' for the money . . . and since Pappy was the one that supposedly had the money . . . it made sense for Singer to be doggin' him. "So what do we do about him?" Bret asked.

"I ain't sure yet," Pappy answered. "We could wait and see what happens. He's bound to tip his hand sooner or later. There's still an open reward on the funds."

"Are you seein' Olivia tonight?" I asked Pappy.

"Yes, sir. Got a supper engagement for six o'clock. Then we're goin' for a carriage ride around New Orleans. I know where the two of you are gonna be, so don't bother to pretend."

I finished my lunch and got up to go, leaving more than enough money on the table to cover the bill. "My God, did you see the wad of money Brother Bart's got? Did you rob a bank?" Bret was laughing as he asked the question.

"I played poker all afternoon. And I won all afternoon, I'll have you know. Don' get lost, you two. Brother Bret, I'll see you in the can-can room at five o'clock. Pappy, mañana."

I had to hurry if I was goin' to ask Danielle about tonight. I had some cleanin' up to do before five o'clock. I rushed through the hotel and got to the showroom just as the girls were finishing their rehearsal. Danielle and me saw each other about the same time, and she gave me a little flirty wave and a big smile. We met in the middle of the stage, and as we hugged I whispered in her ear, "How about I watch the first show, go play some poker, and pick you up after the second show? We can have a late supper, and then . . . "

"Oui, Bart. It sounds perfect. Come to the rear stage door after the second show. That one right there, see?" And she pointed her finger ever so daintily at the correct door.

We kissed, and I whispered in her ear what I intended to do to her. A big smile spread across her face, and she whispered in my ear what she was gonna do to me. I was fascinated. We kissed again and parted; she went to her dressing room and I went to take a hot bath, shave and change clothes. I was laboring under the mistaken notion that the worst part of the trip was over. I was delusional.