Episode 6: Card Sharks

It was a quiet day for the Monks and Gems. No Wu activated, no Heylin attacks, nothing. Raimundo was relaxing on the couch, watching Pearl and Steven doing some puzzles. However, he noticed something was making Amethyst really excited, so much so that she shifted into a ball. "Man, you seem excited about something, Ames." Raimundo said. Amethyst chuckles as she shifts back to normal. "Sorry, I'm just super pumped. Greg is taking me a show!" Amethyst said. "Wait, really? That's cool. Is it a rock show?" Raimundo said. "Yep, you know it, Rai." Amethyst said. "Well, it's going to be a quiet night over here, Amethyst." Steven said. "We're doing some puzzles." "I know it's not the most exciting, but this has been the quietest day we ever had." Pearl added. "Yea, seems like it...but now I expect a curveball to coming in a few seconds." Raimundo said. Almost on cue, Greg walks in.

"Hey, y'all." Greg said. Amethyst rushes up to Greg, excited. "Alright, this show is about to hit the road! Ready to get down in the pits?" Amethyst said. "Well, sadly, I had a mind slip...tonight is card night with Barb and Vidalia" Greg admits. Amethyst was surprised. "Wha? Cards?! Ugh, what made you guys break out of the retirement home?" Amethyst said, bemoaning. "So, you can't go to the show?" Raimundo said, getting up. "Oh, trust me, I wish I could go to the show, but Barb threatened to hold my mail if I didn't...she isn't a woman with empty threats." Greg said. "Huh...didn't know it was legal to do that." Raimundo said. Amethyst groans a bit. "I can't show-lo it. That'll be too boring." Amethyst said. "Well...If you like, I guess Steven and I could take Greg's place for the show." Pearl suggested. "Huh, really?" Raimundo said. "Yea, I mean, I've previously broken rules and I think I can indulge this human activity." Pearl said. Raimundo then thinks a bit. "Hey, Greg, think you could bring Jack and I along for the card game?" Raimundo said.

"Oh, sure, the more people the better." Greg said. "You three take the Dondai." "Thank you, Greg." Pearl said as they get up and head out. Greg and Raimundo walks over to Jack's place to pick him up for some surprise card games. "So, what made you want to tag along with me? Aren't you and Amethyst a duo?" Greg asked. "Well, yea, but as much as I want to enjoy it, I rather leave it to Steven, Amethyst and Pearl to do the show. Besides, Amethyst and I understand each other and we need some breathing room sometimes with other people." Raimundo said. "Ah, okay, just wanted to make sure." Greg said. A bit later, Greg, Raimundo and Jack, who did decided to tag along, arrived at Barb's place. "Hello, Greg." Barb said. "Hey, Barb, Vidalia here?" Greg said. "Yep, she's at the table already. I see you got Raimundo and Jack?" Barb said.

"Yea, I figured I need to socialize with some of Beach City folks to really show my dedication to turning a new leaf." Jack said. "Alright, good to hear that, Jack." Barb said as they head in. Vidalia was shuffling the cards and waiting for the time to deal the cards. Barb, Greg, Jack and Raimundo arrived to the table and takes their seats. "Alright, what are we playing?" Jack said. "Well, last time we played Blackjack, but this time is Texas Hold 'em. We each get 100 thousand in chips and since there's 5 of us, we'll rotate dealers of the cards." Barb said. "Sounds reasonable enough." Raimundo said. "Since I got the cards, I'll deal first." Vidalia said as she deals the cards. They each got their own cards. Greg was first one with small blind, with Raimundo having the big blind. The small was 1000 and the big was 2000. Raimundo looks at his card and it was an ace and king. He keep mostly a straight face. Jack, meanwhile, gotten a pair of 4s. Jack was slightly less impressed but kept a straight face as well.

Jack bets 6000 to make it seem like he got a decent hand. Barb would call, same with Vidalia and Greg. Raimundo was now making the call. "Hmm...I guess I'll raise to 8000." Raimundo said. Everyone would call his bluff. The flop would reveal a queen, an ace, and a 4. This would favor Jack but only Jack knew about it. Jack checks, making it look like nothing improved on his end and everyone would check as well. The turn card would reveal a 7. Jack decided to bluff and make a bet of 6000, making it look like he might have something up his sleeve. Barb call and so did Vidalia. Greg would fold, not really risking it at this time. Raimundo would call Jack's bet. The total pot was now 67,000. The river came and it was a king. Jack bets 5000, making it look like he might got at least a 2 pair. Barb, Vidalia and Raimundo call and they each reveals their cards. Barb had a 4 and a 6, making her a pair of 4s, Vidalia had an ace and a 6, making it a pair of aces, Raimundo had 2 pairs, and Jack got a three of a kind, making him the winner of the pot. Jack chuckles as he rakes in the pot.

A bit later, Jack was quickly adapting to the game and managed to knock out Raimundo, after his all in attempt on turn 12, Greg, after slowly nipping at his chips by turn 19, and Barb in a bit of a shocker, after sapping all of her chips in a quick run by turn 29. This left Jack and Vidalia as the final two but Jack was one good play away from winning the game. Jack was playing his cards right and had Vidalia on the ropes. "Hmm...well, I got no other choice." Vidalia said as she pushes the chips to the table. Jack proceed to send a fair bit of his chips onto the table. Soon, Vidalia had 2 kings while Jack had a queen and a Jack, which was ironic on his part. Vidalia was surprised to see this. Maybe she can squeak by in this case. The Flop reveal a jack, a 10, and an ace. If Jack gets any face card, he'll win. All Vidalia needed was no face card. The turn reveal a 6. Then the river reveal… a king. Vidalia managed to get 3 of a kind but Jack got a straight, which notched the final nail in this game.

"Dang. Good game, Jack." Barb said. "Heh, thanks. Truth be told, I played my cards right in this one." Jack said. "No spybots included?" Raimundo said. "Yep, I keep all my Jackbots and Spybots at bay and show I can have good luck on rare occasion." Jack admits. Barb and Vidalia were happy to hear that Jack didn't cheat. He just took his time and used his rare luck to actually win in a game. "Well, that'll get more respect out of me, Jack. You didn't cheat and you proved to me that you can turn a new leaf." Barb said. "Yea, besides, I was one a bad chick myself." Vidalia said, remembering when she was with Marty. "Goes to show that I am really aiming to be Beach City's feel good story." Jack said. "Well, yea, but still got a bit ways to go, Jack. Again, we hope for the best for you Jack." Greg added. Jack nods as he, Raimundo, and Greg head out. "We'll talk more about another game in a later date." Barb said. Greg nods as they got outside. Jack got into his car as Greg and Raimundo got into Greg's van and both head out. Jack has shown to be a patient person and is starting to show Beach City that he's truly trying to turn a new leaf. Not only that, he'll try to keep the Monk in the loop on what the Heylin might plan. However, what the Heylin is planning could change Jack's perception for a good while.

End of Episode 6