Nano Modern Myth 2.6.1

The pounding rhythms of the drums beat through the clammy air, vibrating up through the floor and setting the rib-cages of the people buzzing. The sultry summer night had finally drained the last of the daylight from the sky and the whole scene was lit by the orange glow of electricity. Tom strode down the street, head down, until he came to the entrance of a small building with the sign “Undertree” pinned to the wall. The building was set at a slant on the long, snaking cobbled street, and seemed to cling to the edge, skulking in the darkness. One wall backed onto a steep drop that fell down into the slimy green river, curling its path around the building.
“Evening,” said Tom, nodding to the bouncers, hulking in the doorframe.
The powerfully built men eyed him up warily and greeted him in reply.
“It’s quiet tonight,” one of them growled in a harsh, deep voice.
Tom nodded and passed into the club.

***

Chris nodded and snaked his way over to the bar. The club was beginning to get slightly busier, although there was still no real queue at the bar. He came back shortly after, carrying five bottles, which he carefully dumped on their table and handed out to their recipients. He retook his seat and picked up his bottle.
“Cheers!” he said and took a swig. The rest of the table followed suit, including Tom, who only took a small drink. As he withdrew the bottle from his mouth he looked more closely at it and frowned very slightly. There was something slightly different about this bottle, he thought. There was something not quite right.
“Everything alright?” said Chris in his deep, level voice, his eyes following Tom.
“Fine, thanks,” said Tom, quickly putting the bottle down and pushing his doubts from his mind. He would need to concentrate on this next round.
They played another couple of rounds, Tom occasionally sipping on his beer. However, the longer they played the more he began to doubt his judgement. He was losing and he was finding it harder and harder to pick out the patterns of cards to make up the hands. He rubbed his forehead with one hand and was surprised when it came away sweaty. It was always hot in this club and the air was unusually moist, but this was still odd. He felt very very thirsty. He took a longer swig on his beer.
“What do you say we up the blind?” said Chris, dealing once again. “How about twenty?”
The rest of the group nodded assent and Tom seemed to feel curiously blasé about the whole thing.
They continued to play the game until Tom realised he had nothing left in his wallet.
“I seem to be out,” he said blearily, finishing the rest of his drink and slumping forward in his chair. “I’ll check.” He ran his hands over his body, searching for elusive pockets. He began pulling out assortments of pocket-fodder, including keys and receipts.
“Tell you what,” said Chris, leaning forward conspiratorially. “I’ll give you a chance to win all your money back.”
“All my money?” said Tom, blinking and trying to focus in the strangely swirling lights.
“Yes. I’ll go ‘all in’ on this hand,” he said gesturing at the cards. “In exchange for that key.” He pointed at the car-key resting on the table.
“My key?” he said blearily. “I don’t know.”
He picked up his cards and looked at them. He had the Six of Clubs and the King of Clubs. On the table were the Jack of Clubs, the Ace of Clubs and the Jack of Diamonds.
“I’m out for this round,” said Felix conspiratorially. “Would you like my advice?”
“Ok,” said Tom, swaying slightly in his seat.
Felix leaned over his shoulder and looked at the cards.
“You might get a flush,” he whispered very quietly in his ear. “You need one more club. If the next two cards are a Queen and a Ten, you might even get a straight.”
Tom nodded enthusiastically, and said, “That’s a good thing?”
“Yes,” said Felix mildly, tilting his head lightly.
“Ok,” said Tom, “I’m in.”
“Brilliant!” said Chris, rubbing his hands together. “Let’s have the final two cards dealt out then!”
The final two cards were tossed up and shown to be a Jack of Spades and a Queen of Clubs.
“So, what do you have?” said Chris, watching Tom carefully.
He threw his cards down on the table and stared at them.
“A flush of clubs,” said Felix, rearranging them for him. “Six, Jack, Queen, King, Ace.”
“A fair hand,” said Chris with a nod. He placed his own hand down and leant back in the chair.
“Full house,” said Felix, rearranging the cards. “Jacks full of Aces.”
“You lose,” said Chris, with a smile.
Tom leant sideways in his chair and kept going, until he hit the ground with a thump.
“Oh dear,” said Chris mildly. “Perhaps our friend has had too much to drink.” He picked up Tom’s keys and pocketed them, along with all his money.