Raylan_ A Novel - Elmore Leonard [77]
Raylan: “Not yet, thanks.”
Boyd: “You know how to make a Sazerac?”
Liz: “With my eyes closed.”
Boyd, to Raylan: “Your girlfriend hasn’t said a word.”
Raylan: “She’s waitin on everybody to shut up.”
Vanessa, to Dude, who’s coming from the bar with another bourbon: “You gonna drink all night?”
Dude: “When I’m playin women I do.”
Leanne: “All the talkin, I can’t concentrate.”
Dude: “Honey, we haven’t started yet.” To Harry: “What’s the blind?”
Harry: “How about four and six hundred?”
Dude: “We playin in the schoolyard? Bump it up some.”
Vanessa: “You’re dumber’n you look, sittin there with your cowboy hat on. I read you like a book, you and your bracelet. What’re you gonna do after, go round up the herd? You guys and your hats.”
Boyd, to Raylan: “She see yours yet?”
Raylan: “I’m keepin it hid.”
Liz: “They gonna play or not?”
Raylan: “Bet you a buck they don’t turn a card.”
Dude: “A man wears a hat it becomes part of him.”
Vanessa: “Cover up your bald head, less you’re wearing a hairpiece.”
Dude removes his Stetson to show Vanessa a full head of dark hair. He leans toward her at the table. “There a few strands of gray—but go on, pull on it, stick your nose in my hair and satisfy yourself it’s all mine.” Dude straightens. “I see you got kinda pink hair now. Any your other hair pink?”
Vanessa: “I can’t sit here and look at you no more. You are so fucking out of it. You win cause you bet enough nobody can call. That got you the bracelet?”
Dude: “A pair. Honey, the boys I play all got enough to call my bets. Give me a seven-deuce down and I’ll beat you playin for anything you want.”
Vanessa: “You’re a big-mouth stuck on yourself—”
Dude: “Sometimes.”
Vanessa: “You prob’ly think Lady Gaga’s a chick from outer space.”
Dude: “You mean wearin raw meat on your body makes you an alien? I thought it just made you un-hygenic.”
Vanessa, staring at Dude with cold eyes: “Why don’t you throw that stinky cigar away and get your yellow teeth cleaned? I don’t think I can look at you no more.”
Dude: “If we’re gonna continue exchangin pleasantries why don’t we forget the whole thing? Less you want to put all you brought on one game.” He waited.
He watches Vanessa and Leanne put their heads together for a moment. Now they both get up from the table and walk out of the poker suite.
Boyd, to Raylan, both sipping Sazeracs: “You called it, partner. No poker this evenin for the young ladies.”
Liz: “Jackie’s still sitting there.”
Raylan: “She wants to play, foolin with her chips, but doesn’t say a word.”
Dude: “I’ll tell you what. Let’s see if we can be polite to one another and wrap this up.” To Jackie: “What’s the most you ever lost?”
Jackie: “At one time? Twenty grand.”
Dude: “You piss it away?”
Jackie: “I got mad.”
Dude: “Finally met some players, huh?”
Jackie: “Cigar smokers. I lost my cool but got it back, in case you’re wondering.”
Dude, reaching over to pat her shoulder: “Let’s see how far bein spunky gets you.”
The hired dealer in his vest and bow tie finally sat down at the table and dealt each player two cards down.
Jackie peeks at her hole cards: an ace and a seven.
Dude: “Hundred thousand to open,” and throws in his chips. “If that’s okay with you people.”
Jackie and the Saudis see the bet, the Saudis quiet, not looking happy this evening.
The dealer burns the top card and deals the flop: an ace, five, four.
Jackie now has her pair.
Dude throws in chips, betting another hundred thousand.
The Saudis fold and leave the table. Done with this nonsense.
Jackie sees the Dude’s bet.
Dealer: “Pot’s six hundred forty thousand.” He deals the next card, the turn, an eight of hearts on the board.
Dude: “I’m gonna leave it up to Miss Spunky. See where she’s at.”
Jackie: “A hundred thousand.”
Dude stares at her before adding chips to the pile on the table.
Dealer: “Pot’s eight hundred forty thousand.” He then deals the river card face up on the table. “An ace of clubs.”
Dude: “Well, hey, we both got aces paired. You got a good kicker under there?”
Jackie: “Bet and find out.”
Dude: “I do, I