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 The Player
(Tale from the Martin Cid's book "Beyond The Mirror")
By Martin Cid
I
That night, there were Alvin, Edgar, Goldwin, Wilson and a little man with an aquiline nose. Alvin smiled, Edgar looked steadily, Goldwin sweated, Wilson showed extremely good manners and the little man had enough trouble trying his nose went unnoticed.
Alvin and Edgar were an established team from many years ago. They did not have any shady deal but they never fought each other.
Goldwin and the little man were ordinary people who had come to squander the few coins they had earned some hours before.
Wilson was “the sucker”, a raw player with money who was going to be “fleeced”. He belonged to that sort of men who are thinking of business all of the time. He did not have soul and was so thirsty as to lose and be happy of his feat next day. He played politely but clumsy… unable to disguise his hands: when they were bad, he changed all the cards; on the contrary, he looked satisfied at them.
Alvin was feeling relaxed: “these three men will soon be over”.
Nevertheless, Edgar was nervous: “perhaps, that man called Wilson… William Wilson is teasing us; his performance is too much exaggerated.
They dealt again: draw poker, no jokers, no limit or possibilities of cheating… money for the discard. They bet prudently: Alvin threw one card away, Edgar three, Goldwin two, Wilson and the little man five.
Therefore, the right way of thinking would be: Alvin is looking for a straight (it seems improbable, he has wired pair or poker); Edgar has already a pair or a court card plus an ace; Goldwin can have a trio although it is very difficult but, in any case, his bet will show us the truth in some few seconds; Wilson and the little man have nothing since they have threw the whole hand away… but this right way of thinking have nonsense among people that are gambling and, in fact, Alvin only had two pictures and Edgar a two of diamonds and a seven of hearts.
Of course, both of them passed with complicity to see the bets of the others. It was not a good idea to raise a stake with three “suckers” because they will be afraid and did not continue. Wilson and the little man passed too but Goldwin did not, since he had a trio or at least he was pretending it. Alvin looked suspicious at him and when he touched his lip, he could know he was lying. Suddenly, he doubled his bet; the little man matched with him after doubting a lot as he was a poor beginner; Edgar passed again and, then, William Wilson took his wallet:
-Let’s proceed! men.
Was he bluffing?
II
Edgar Luchin was born and grew up in Sad Bride, a little village in the county of Missing, a place with so much literature that it is better not to describe: everybody has read about its tanned people and wonderful landscape.
He was brought up in a big house, in the bosom of one of this ordinary families –called Luchin- that had made money thanks to speculation (what difference does the kind of abuse make?).
He was educated as a gentleman with a private instructor as those of popular novels: bald, cold and not very well read… what for? Edgar will have to behave as a Lord since it was expected he would inherit a big fortune.
Nevertheless, Edgar learnt of his father too and the problem started here because he knew from the very beginning that money can buy people’ souls and lives… Well, sorry, maybe we are exaggerating since you would need also some French words to impress a little more.
Therefore, his strict teacher taught him Victorian costumes while his father’s magisterial lessons were about how to frighten people. Eventually, Edgar was a despot disguised as a posh man.
His 16th years old birthday was the day announced to start receiving an allowance as his inheritance advanced payment. In return of it, he had to attend to the ballrooms, marry a high class girl and look for a pretty lover; that it is to say, he had to honor his family name: Luchin.
-You must remember one thing –his father said one day- , you will have to behave as your teacher and think as me.
-I shall obey, dad –Edgar answered bowing his teen head.
From this holy day and on, he turned into a regular customer of taverns and little by little he was forgetting his instructor’s Victorian manners although his daddy’s philosophy remained:
-Even the most insignificant man can be important with a big billfold.
Then, as his billfold was heavy, he neither shaved every morning nor spoke French words: some notes allowed him to drink and to have female company from day to dusk until the moment he started to get tired of so much silly happiness.
He was still very young when he met Benjamin Alvin, a respected member of a family of barmen and an excellent player too. A man of that strange sort who pays his debts in the few occasions he loses.
That night, Alvin was wearing poor but clean clothes and, in general, he was taking great care over his appearance.
-We need a young player, Luchin. Are you interested?
-What kind of game for?
-Poker. Don’t worry, it’s an easy game with very few rules and plays: pair, doubled pair, trio, straight, full house, poker and color straight. If you like, you can see a little before joining us. Only you’ll need a thing…
-A big billfold –Edgar interrupted.
-Wrong! –Alvin said laughing-. You’ll need luck not to ask for much money at home.
The room was bad lighted and you could hardly see tables and walls. The wood creaked, the paint had lost his original white color to turn into a dirty yellow one.
Five players with five cards. Each one of them must give a previous fixed amount of money to participate. In the first round, if they wish, they can raise the bet or, even, change cards. In this last case, they must match with the others’ bets.
After discarding, they stake again, raising until one of them would like to do.
The game was surprisingly easy: five cards and the best wins. Fantastic!
-Ok! –Edgar thought-. It couldn’t be so difficult. You should wait for a good hand and bet.
Edgar observed the others and their frenetic ritual. It seemed everybody was happy since, although they lost, they could win in the next turn.
-Come in! Edgar –Benjamin Alvin said-. You should learn. I suppose you have cash. Anyway, we would trust in your word, we are among gentlemen (Alvin smiled with complicity to the other four).
Edgar sat down. Alvin was the smartest player; Locke the oldest one; Spinoza the most nervous of them and Quinlan (because they always had to summarize five) the person who rebuked Edgar’s for his threatening fat aspect.
Let’s proceed! men.
III
That night, Edgar was in luck but, as a beginner, he only betted when he knew he could win.
-This will be my method –he thought- I’m a gentleman, I’ve studied mathematics and these rednecks, doesn’t matter their threatening aspect, have nothing to do against me.
However, nearly at the end, the “farmers” ran away pleading different reasons: Mr. Spinoza had an affair in few hours and needed to sleep a little; Mr. Locke had gone bankrupt; Quinlan was completely drunk…
-Very well –Benjamin Alvin said-… only you and me… face to face.
Alvin never looked at the cards more than three seconds. When they dealt, he put them together in a tiny stack and left it on the table. He always remained stuck to it, looking inexpressively at other players’ faces. Even if a pretty waitress came near him and served provocatively his glass, he only said “thanks” ignoring her presence, words or smell… a drink… a puff… a cold smile.
Hand after hand, Alvin was loosing money but his expression never changed while seeing Edgar’s brilliant plays: trios, straights, full houses… On the contrary, Alvin only had miserable pairs but he kept on betting and congratulating his partner… a drink… a puff… a cold smile.
Very well, Mr. Luchin –Alvin repeated once and again- You are a quick learner! I think you are going to pay drinks tonight. Can I call you Edgar?
Suddenly, the “hand” arrived, that perfect hand which makes the difference between bad and good players, between men and children: Edgar had four kings, a “poker” thanks to his good luck, the same as he had had during the whole game, and decided to bet a big amount.
-Oh! I think it is my final defeat –Alvin said to him- Doesn’t matter since I’m tired and I would like to finish now.
Edgar felt proud and could not disguise his happiness. Then, Alvin called for a waitress:
-Can I help you? –She said surprised.
-Yes, please. Can you say to a shaved man who is near the desk I would like to talk him?
-What is he wearing?
-It doesn’t mind –Alvin answered-. Look for the only clean and shaved one.
A few minutes later, that man was there, holding some dirty notes in his hand. Alvin took them and match with Edgar’s big amount.
How could it happen? He had been wining from hours and, now, he had started to lose: his luck had vanished in the very moment Alvin undermined his confidence matching a bet he thought he could not.
When the dawn arrived, Alvin had all of the money:
-Well, Edgar, I think I must pay the drinks. Don’t worry, next time you will have your chance. You are a quick learner!
Alvin stood up, took his coat and went out of the room. Edgar remained there complaining for his bad luck, trying to understand how things had turned into such a disaster.
-I will have other nights, I’m a gentleman, I learnt mathematics…
Finally, he went out too.
… a drink… a puff… a cold smile.
IV
The sum he had easily obtained when he was 16th was disappearing day after day, month after month, year after year.
Women had already abandoned him and he never paid drinks because his bad hands, his pretentious bluffs and his high bets had driven him to a life of vice in dirty taverns. He did not even return home at night since he preferred to rent a room and wait for the next game.
Furthermore, in some wonderful occasions –although to be honest, they were not very habitual- the game lasted two or three days and, therefore, it was not necessary to look for a bed:
-We are not interested in skinned “the fish” quickly as he could be frightened and run away before losing enough money.
“The fish” was usually a foreign man who trusted in those illiterates; above all, when they did a first stupid discharge:
-Oh! My God! –a “redneck” said-. I see you are in luck tonight.
However, after some few bad hands a good one appeared:
-I’m successful at last! Don’t worry. In the next hand you will have your chance.
Night followed day; day followed night and the same ritual was repeated. The question was not to have an ace up someone’s sleeve or to cheat while dealing cards. Poker is based on probabilities, on looking steadily at the others and on knowing when they are bluffing: these are the moments a good player is trying to find every time!
Edgar had learnt a lot of Benjamin Alvin but the best lessons were still a secret for him. People say that a player does not need any special talent but this is false because, although they lack school training, they had the skill of guessing the weaknesses of the opponent and Edgar was still learning this point.
Poker was a long-distance race in which you should “pass” even if you had the best hand because if the rival knew it you would never win.
-You should allow people to play and be never the main character.
Sometimes, an extremely good player appeared. Edgar would always remember the day that he met a foreign blond man. He had German accent and very polite manners.
-What a beautiful game! -He would say for years-. We could see two giants fighting each other to raise the final victory. The German man knew the same rules, tricks and probabilities as Benjamin Alvin: it was a war of attrition! Two days after, the foreigner started to be tired and my old friend attacked and confused him… He did well.
Little by little, Edgar had started to be obsessed with these little ways that only players have: the way of dealing, the body position, the light…
Cards had to be dealt with both hands. He never trusted in these people that only used one of them because: to be manual clever is not suitable for those who earn their living looking at the others steadily; a stupid performance can hide the ability of a great rogue and the main rule on a game table is “to go unnoticed”.
The body position was also important: you must not touch the others so that they cannot notice your muscles tension or your nervous breathing and you shall sit comfortable to remain quiet for hours.
Besides, if you were sat in the shadow, you would have better possibilities of wining since your expression would be less evident.
Nevertheless, the fore rules, as well as the tie color which brings luck, were useless since every player knew them: the true bluff was the one made on these basic rudiments.
The successful player was who betted basing on human behavior instead of childish instructions. Benjamin Alvin was this man and, therefore, he was the best.
-You shouldn’t follow a rational thought –Alvin said to Edgar one day-. Cards are not important because, even if they were good you’d have to lose while observing your opponents. The worst is to believe you’ve got a stroke of luck… At the beginning, let others know your reactions! Be angry if your hands are bad and ask for a drink if they are good. Behave as a stupid flirting with the waitresses and losing easily. Let people play! When they are tired and confident: beat them!
-Something else? –Edgar asked trying to become a good student for the first time in his life.
-It’s important to have an ally. He must be better than the other three but worse than you because, first, both of you would need to defeat them and, finally, you can strike him… or not (it depends on your kind of friendship). Anyway, the best lessons will come after losing many games.
Edgar looked up to Alvin. He went frequently to the tavern to see him playing. However, Alvin was a shy man, reluctant to talk and when they went for a walk, after gambling and only to relax, he remained silent, watching people and shops along the streets or flowers and trees if they arrived at the countryside.
-How old are you? –Edgar asked to him one day.
-I’m younger than you think. My eyes are tired of so much smoke and my back is curved because of my playing cards position. I am 25 years old but I’m not sure.
The rest of the way, he was quiet but when they were in the point of returning, he spoke again:
-24! I calculated.
V
Edgar had started to have a sense of loss about his previous life. He had so many debts that his generous allowance could not cover them and his aspect was terrible: dirty, unshaved and with bags under his eyes.
Furthermore, he could not vent his feelings on his servants as he did years ago, when he was a gentleman because, now, he was surrounded by dangerous men, able to stab you by whatever trifle.
Among these problems, the day that every player dreads arrived: the day he must not play for money but for pride, honor and the pleasure of winning.
That night, there were Alvin, Edgar, Goldwin, Wilson and a little man with an aquiline nose. Alvin smiled, Edgar looked steadily, Goldwin sweated, Wilson showed extremely good manners and the little man had enough trouble trying his nose went unnoticed.
-Let’s proceed!
VI
There were five players as always: Edgar with his moustache, trying to behave older than he was; Alvin with his dark glasses which disguised his tired eyes; Goldwin thinking of his sensible wife’s reproaches; Wilson losing hands and the little man with the curved-down nose holding his cards nervously.
-Let’s stop! It’s time –Edgar said.
The five men felt relieved because all of them had already lost. Wilson was the first who lighted a cigarette and puffed at it with a studied worried expression. Goldwin smoked anxiously, wishing to finish it and start another one in an endless repetition. However, Alvin enjoyed his personal ritual: he took slowly the bag of tobacco out from his left pocket; he rolled calmly the cigarette and suck afterwards the paper; he savoured smartly its taste and smelt its aroma before lighting it.
All of them breathed difficultly at the same time. Edgar went to the main door -the floor was so dirty that his shoes stack on it making an annoying sound-; he opened it and some fresh air entered while dust and smoke whirled trying to escape quickly from this nasty tavern.
Light fought shadows outlining the few familiar objects. At the right side, there was a big empty space. Players had been talking about his decoration but they would never agree. Beside it, it was the wooden desk, full of dirty glasses and untouched snacks. At the left side, a spiral staircase leaded to the toilets as well as a store. This one was a mess of boxes and abandoned decorative pieces of junk that players had been bringing from years.
Windows had curtains with flowers, arranged as an invert k. You could see a dark courtyard through them which contrasted with the white naked walls. The only ornament was a mirror over the desk. It reflected the three tables where players sat night after night.
The break used to last twenty minutes. Time to drink, to stretch legs and to disguise or exaggerate tiredness: everyone was looking at the others trying to guess who would be the winner.
Goldwin was drinking too much, Alvin would not do such a stupid thing, he had only asked for a glass of Swiss wine, his favourite. He was counting his notes left: too many would be a mistake as the others could be afraid of him and retired before time, but if he showed shortage of funds, he would be eliminated soon because the others players will raise bets to forced him to shrink away.
He would have to be cold if he wanted to recover his losses, drawing profit from other’s tiredness and attacking wisely. The enemy can be never behind his hearts or diamonds trenches. War had to be won when he was confident and with an only definitive bullet.
The big-nosed gentleman tried to speak to Goldwin but this one was really worried thinking: “this time will be different and, at last, I’ll have a big profit and I’ll never gamble again”.
Goldwin had the experience of a thousand similar battles. His sword was his salary and as soon as he got it as soon as he staked it on cards. That night his wife was sleeping, ignoring his bets once again. That was a reason to be bold and strong because the last one who left the game, he would be the best.
He was dizzy due to so many gins and went to the window to breathe some fresh air. He hid his hands into his pockets to disguise their trembling. He knew this problem perfectly well because he was playing since 15 years old.
The “sucker”, William Wilson, was looking at the others and smiling with complicity. He was 23 years old or… was he 123? He did not know as he did not remember his beginning as nobody could say nothing about it.
It is supposed he could not return home but his place of sleeping was a secret. He had been dismissed of his job –maybe more than once- although it would be impossible to guess what kind of work he did. In fact, he was a foreigner although he had been wandering in the district from years. Some neighbours had paid attention to his grey eyes; some others had said they were black and the same transformation had been happening with his clothes –posh or moth-eaten depending on opinions-.
That night, for instance, Goldwin saw him as a gentleman. However, Edgar was thinking he was nearly a beggar and when Wilson stood up and came near him, he looked distrustfully supposing he was going to ask him for money.
-What a stupid thought around a game table –William Wilson mumbled.
-Sorry? –Edgar said.
-I was saying I’d like a whiskey –Wilson answered-. May I invite you?
-Please.
-I always put two ice-cubes –W.W. explained-. In my opinion “two” is a good number, it represents proportion.
-I preferred “five” –Edgar answered a little confused-. It is a poker number.
-No, my friend –Wilson insisted-. Some day, you’ll discover that “two” is the poker number.
Alvin smiled from the distance noticing that the bridging-nose man was nervous, watching Goldwin staggering and understanding William Wilson wanted a “friend”.
Nevertheless, William Wilson did not want any friend, he was there to study fear because, at the end, dread was what people felt when he was near and only those who are afraid of losing could be defeated: workers as Goldwin with a misery wage, unable to look at their wives and say: “I played and I lost absolutely all”.
William was really different, he would never compromise anybody and, therefore, he did not need to justify himself. He could control hi fears because neither Elisa nor Mary nor his own mother had any importance to him. That was his secret: he was there just to enjoy playing as the true winners do.
VII
At dawn, the game had finished.
Goldwin had gone an hour ago completely drunk; the little man with the aquiline nose also excusing he had some business next day and needed to sleep a little; Alvin understanding that only “two” is the proportion and that night number one was Wilson and the other was to be Edgar.
-Well, gentleman –William Wilson said smiling to Edgar- I think the game is over. I’m going to pay off drinks. Would you like one for the road?
-No, the game must go on! –Edgar said-. I’ll need a couple of hours and I’ll return with more money… I’m feeling I’ve got a stroke of luck!
-I think you don’t –Wilson answered- Your partners have lost too. Now, the whole money is into my pocket and I’m the absolute winner.
-You are not a gentleman!–Edgar shouted angrily- You should give me a return match. That’s fair!
-Believe me, Edgar, you will have the opportunity of redeeming your sins very soon… with cards, of course. I agree: your luck can change but you must face your fears
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That night, there were Alvin, Edgar, Goldwin, Wilson and a little man with an aquiline nose. Alvin smiled, Edgar looked steadily, Goldwin sweated, Wilson showed extremely good manners and the little man had enough trouble trying his nose went unnoticed.
Alvin and Edgar were an established team from many years ago. They did not have any shady deal but they never fought each other.
Goldwin and the little man were ordinary people who had come to squander the few coins they had earned some hours before.
Wilson was “the sucker”, a raw player with money who was going to be “fleeced”. He belonged to that sort of men who are thinking of business all of the time. He had not got soul and he was so thirsty as to lose and be happy next day by his feat. He played politely but clumsy… unable to disguise his hands: when they were bad, he changed all the cards; on the contrary, he looked satisfied at them.
Alvin was feeling relaxed: “these three men will soon be over”.
Nevertheless, Edgar was nervous: “perhaps, that man called Wilson… William Wilson is teasing us; his performance is too much exaggerated.
Let’s proceed…! |
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