You mean bet against Rufus?
Yes.
Betting against a grifter was like betting against the sun rising. No matter how outlandish the proposition, the grifter was going to come out ahead.
Never, he said.
2
Big Julie, a famous New York gambler, once said that the person who invented gambling was smart, but the person who invented chips was a genius.
Poker had a similar truism. The person whod invented poker may have been smart, but the person whod invented the hidden camera that allowed a television audience to see the players hands was a genius.
George the Tuna Scalzo sat on his hotel suites couch with his nephew beside him. It was ten oclock in the evening, and the big-screen TV was on. They were watching the action from that days World Poker Show down, which was generating the highest ratings of any sporting event outside of the Super Bowl. His nephew, Skip DeMarco, was winning the tournament and had become an overnight sensation.
Tell me what youre seeing, Uncle George, DeMarco said.
His nephew faced the TV, his handsome face bathed in the screens artificial light. Skipper suffered from a degenerative eye disease that hed had since birth. He could not see two inches past his nose, and so his uncle described the action.
Theyre showing the different players you knocked out of the tournament today, Scalzo said. Treetop Strauss, Mike Mad Dog McCoy, Johnny the Wizard Wang, and a bunch of other guys. Its beautiful, especially when you call their bluffs. They dont know what hit them.
Bluffing was what made poker exciting. A man could have worthless cards, yet if he bet aggressively, hed win hand after
hand. DeMarco had made a specialty of calling his opponents bluffs, and had become the most feared player in the tournament.
Is the camera showing me a lot? DeMarco asked.
All the time. Youre the star.
Do I look arrogant?
Scalzo didnt know what arrogant meant. Proud? That word he understood. He glanced across the suite at Guido, who leaned against the wall. His bodyguard had a zipper scar down the side of his face and never smiled. Guido came from the streets of Newark, New Jersey, as did all the men who worked for Scalzo.
Guido, how does Skipper look?
Calm, cool, and collected, Guido said, puffing on a cigarette.
Is he a star?
Big star, Guido said.
There you go. Scalzo elbowed his nephew in the ribs.
The show ended, and was followed by the local news. The broadcasters covered the days headlines, then a story from the University of Nevadas football field came on.
Whats this? his nephew asked.
Scalzo squinted at the screen. The story was about Rufus Steele challenging a racehorse to the hundred-yard dash. Rufus appeared on the screen dressed in track shorts. Beside him was Tony Valentine, the casino consultant whod caused them so much trouble. Scalzo grabbed the remote and changed the channel.
Put it back on, Uncle George, his nephew said.
Why? He cant beat no fucking racehorse, Scalzo protested.
I want to see it anyway. This is the old guy who challenged me to play him. I said Id play him after the tournament was over if he could raise a million bucks.
The suite fell silent. Youre not going to play that son-of-a-bitch, Scalzo declared.
If he raises the money, Ill have to, Uncle George, DeMarco said.
Why?
Because this is poker. If I dont accept Rufuss challenge, he wins.
Scalzo did not like the direction the conversation was taking. He clicked his fingers, and Guido rose from his chair.
Yes, Mr. Scalzo, the bodyguard said.
A glass of cognac for me. What would you like, Skipper?
For you not to drink while we have this conversation, his nephew said.
Scalzo balled his hands into fists and stared at his nephews profile. If someone who worked for him had said that, he would have had him killed. You dont like when I drink?
You get mean. Doesnt he, Guido?
Swallowing hard, the bodyguard said nothing. Scalzo made a twirling motion with his finger. Guido walked into the next room, shutting the door behind him.
Scalzo changed the channel with the remote, and watched Rufus beat Greased Lightning in the hundred-yard-dash while explaining it to his nephew. Then he killed the power and the room fell silent.
This cowboy is the real thing, his nephew said.
Whats that supposed to mean? Scalzo snapped.
Hes an old-time hustler, Uncle George. I cant scam him the way were scamming the tournament. It wont work.
Skipper had won several dozen poker tournaments on the Internet. Live games were a different matter, with other players ganging up on him because of his handicap. Scalzo had wanted to level the playing field, and found a scammer in Atlantic City named Jack Donovan whod invented a scam that would let Skipper win. Scalzo had Donovan murdered for the scam, then taught it to his nephew. Although Skipper had never cheated before, hed gone along, wanting the recognition that winning brought, which he believed he deserved.
But no one has figured out the scam so far, Scalzo said.
Steele will. Hell feel a breeze.