by Paul Harry
Standing alone, outside under the dim fluorescent lighting, Daniel felt exposed. There were too many homeless milling about, beggars seeking handouts, which was something he wasn’t used to. Still, he needed to make his call so he put the change on the metal plat at the base of the phone, and popped a quarter in the slot, dialing 9-1-1. After several rings the operator answered.
“9-1-1, please state your emergency.”
“Yeah, hi, I need to get ahold of someone in the FBI,” Daniel began.
“Sir, this is the emergency operator. What is your emergency?”
Daniel hesitated. “I need help. There’s a man trying to kill me and I need to speak to the FBI. Can you connect me?”
“Sir, this is 9-1-1 not directory assistance.”
“I know, but this guy’s been following me.”
“Is the man there now?” asked the operator.
“No, he’s in California.”
“Sir, this is 9-1-1 for Reno, Nevada. Is your life being presently threatened?”
“No, but I need help...”
Unexpectedly, Daniel felt a hand on his shoulder. It gripped him hard, pushing him into the phone. Jumping and twisting in reaction, Daniel turned to face a homeless guy dressed in tattered clothes leering over him−his breath stinking of whiskey. “Hey, kid,” the guy mumbled. “Can yah spare some change for a vet?”
Daniel reacted defensively. He dropped the phone and pushed the guy back, shouting. “Get away from me!”
Surprised by the outburst, the drunk stood there swaying. “Thaaat’s n-n-not very nice,” he swaggered, jabbing his finger toward Daniel. Daniel looked around fearfully; another hobo was approaching. Hastily, he swept his hand across the metal plat and the change that lay there, sending the dimes, quarters, and nickels onto the ground. The coins scattered and bounced on the sidewalk, drawing the attention of several more homeless. Daniel watched as they scurried for the money−the diversion giving him the opportunity to slip away.
Out on the street Daniel moved quickly, heading toward the bright lights of downtown Reno. He cursed to himself. How could he have been so stupid? A gust of wind slapped him in the face nipping him angrily, forcing him to wrap his arms and jacket around himself in an effort to keep warm. It was fucking freezing. His teeth were chattering his stomach growling−he needed to get out of the cold before he froze to death. As angry as he was over the phone booth incident, it could wait. He would make his call later.
Reaching Second Street, Daniel found himself in between Harrah’s and the Club Cal Neva, two local casinos. Both were lit with flashing neon begging everyone who passed to enter, play, and eat. It was exactly what Daniel needed−shelter. Entering the Club Cal Neva he looked around at the casino, walking through the slots and around the table games. The place smelled of beer, hotdogs, and cigarettes just like the Nugget back home, only this time Daniel knew he was legal, legal, legal. They couldn’t kick him out. Grabbing two beer dogs from a small concession stand, Daniel stuffed his mouth and washed it all down with a coke−it helped fill the void. As he ate he studied the blackjack tables. He was nearly out of money and had no place to stay. If he was going to survive, he was going to have to use everything Rudy taught him to make some money so he could get home.
Daniel searched for a Blackjack game that wasn’t busy, a table where he could play without looking like a total novice. The table he selected was a dead spread, a six deck shoe with a three dollar minimum. Daniel hoped he had enough. He needed to start conservatively as he only had twenty bucks left. Still, if he could win, he’d be all right.
Putting the twenty on the table, Daniel asked for change. The dealer glanced at him with a sour look and sighed. Daniel was interrupting the football game he was watching on one of the overhead TVs, and he wasn’t too thrilled at being disturbed−especially over a twenty dollar buy-in.
“You got ID?” he asked.
“Yeah, sure.”
Daniel pulled out his wallet and handed the dealer his license, while noting his name tag. His name was ‘Marc’ and he hailed from South Dakota.
“Damn cold out there tonight,” commented Daniel, making small talk. “But I guess you’re used to that?”
“Oh yeah,” responded Marc, half-heartedly.
After verifying his age, Marc handed Daniel his license back. He called out, “change twenty,” then proceeded to run down a stack of dollar chips or checks as Rudy called them, passing them to Daniel with a lukewarm, “good luck.”
“Thanks,” responded Daniel. He was unperturbed by Marc’s lack of enthusiasm and eager to begin.
With excited anticipation he watched as Marc shuffled and stripped the six decks, his fingers nimbly riffling the cards into a six deck shoe. When he finished he offered Daniel the cut.
“This is my first time playing,” noted Daniel fervently, as he cut the cards. “I’ve been practicing at home.”
“You don’t say,” responded Marc. “Well, maybe you’ll have beginners luck.”
“Boy, I hope so,” answered Daniel. “I really need it.”
Mark burnt a card and began to deal, placing the cards in front of Daniel’s chips. He gave Daniel a fourteen with his up card showing a seven of clubs. Daniel hesitated, the wheels in his mind spinning as he tried to remember Rudy’s instructions. What should he do? Unexpectedly, as Daniel concentrated, he felt a throbbing at the side of his head, first one side then the other−and his vision became blurry. He rubbed his temples, then the bridge of his nose between the eyes, pushing his sunglasses aside to relieve the pressure. This was not a good time to get a headache, he thought, but what happened next blew him away. He began to see an image bleeding through Marc’s seven of clubs−it was a queen of diamonds... Marc had a pat seventeen.
Daniel muttered to himself. “Holy cannoli!” He took a hit, drawing a ten and busted.
“So much for beginner’s luck,” commented Marc.
“I think things are about to change,” responded Daniel, a tad more positive in his attitude. He made another three dollar bet.
Oddly, it was Daniel’s desire to see the next card that triggered everything and the nanites inside him whirled into motion to make it happen. Together they were working in unison, shifting and focusing to make Daniel’s wish a reality. Somewhere at the genetic level the isotopes powering the nanites kicked in, tapping into the electrical current of Daniel’s brain, initiating a tiny magnetic pulse. As the pulse grew, it pushed outward through the metallic lattice framework of Daniel’s eyes much like an MRI.
Daniel had no idea how it worked. He simply became aware of seeing more; that with the smallest of effort he could see through the cards on the table−albeit, everything was in reverse. The process was clumsy and awkward at first, and it gave Daniel pause, but he quickly caught on, and by the fourth hand he had it down. Not only could he see Marc’s hole card, but he could read the next card coming out of the shoe. The process made for an almost perfect system, and though sometimes he still lost, he was basically unbeatable.
Daniel realized now what had transpired two nights earlier when Mickey had appeared at his home−how he saw him through the wall. This was the same thing. Only tonight he seemed to have more control and he certainly wasn’t running for his life. After fifteen minutes of play Daniel was up fifty bucks and he was elated. If all went well he’d be able to buy a plane ticket home and get Aunt Ethyl out of jail. Hell, he could be a millionaire. That would be so cool. He then remembered Rudy’s advice. Go easy−don’t draw attention to yourself. And make sure you tip!
By the time Marc had finished his twenty minutes of dealing and was tapped off the game, he’d made thirty bucks off of Daniel. He was much more content and happily wished Daniel continued luck as he left the game. The next dealer tapped in and what happened next took Daniel by complete surprise.
It was a female dealer and she greeted Daniel with a warm hello.
Daniel’s mouth fell open. Standing before him was a vision; a young, perky short-haired blon
d, about thirty-two years of age with a face that could melt stone. To some, she would have been considered a jaded diamond on her second trip around the block, but to Daniel she was a model of beauty.
“Hello, my name’s Paige,” she cooed, affectionately. “Welcome to the Club Cal Neva.”
Daniel’s heart skipped a beat as he took in the alluring blue eyes and soft pink lips that smiled at him. And though he wanted to respond to Paige in the worst way−he couldn’t−because she was standing right there in front of him naked as a Playboy Bunny. Her uniform, white shirt, bow tie and apron were gone, exposing her body and breasts for the entire world to see. It was more than Daniel was prepared for and he jumped back from the table like he’d been bitten by a snake, knocking over both his chips and the chair behind him.
Paige was taken aback and couldn’t help but giggle. She’d seen a lot of men react to her, but to elicit this kind of response was unexpected to say the least. “Sir, are you okay?” she asked, the mirth showing in her eyes.
Swearing under his breath, Daniel nodded his head as he bent down to retrieve the chair from the floor. He felt like a fool. How was he to know that was going to happen? It was her fault. Looking again at Paige he took in everything−he couldn’t help it. She was awesome, simply awesome. Her breasts were gorgeous, a nice size, perky and firm and her nipples, for God’s sake they were pierced! He couldn’t believe it. She had pierced nipples and a small diamond pin stuck in her belly button. Oh my God!
Daniel turned beet red and Paige wasn’t sure whether to laugh or call for security. “Are you okay?” she asked again. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Daniel nodded again, keeping his eyes glued to the felt as he re-stacked his chips. When he looked up, Paige was once again dressed in full uniform. “Thank God,” he muttered with a sigh of relief. “Can I get a new shoe?” he asked.
The next twenty minutes rocked Daniel’s world, making him forget about everything. He may as well have been a love sick puppy. Though he tried to get his head back into the game, it was hard to concentrate. He kept getting lost in Paige’s eyes and breasts. Making matter worse, she was trying to be helpful; correcting his every play.
“You don’t play a lot of Blackjack, do you?” she asked, when he went to hit his sixteen against her four. “You do know you’re supposed to stay.”
“Yeah,” answered Daniel, “but I’ve got a hunch.”
“Hon, hunches don’t win at Blackjack−believe me.”
“I’ve heard that,” responded Daniel.
“Well, it’s your money,” she answered, snapping a five atop his sixteen, giving him a total of twenty-one. She then busted her hand with the ten that followed.
“See,” he said.
Paige smirked at him. “You got lucky. But trust me, it won’t last. It never does.”
* * * *
Over the course of the next hour and several different dealers Daniel did pretty well. He had amassed about four hundred dollars in winnings and was now playing twenty-five dollar checks, and to his chagrin drawing a bit of a crowd. Everyone was amazed at how well he was doing, considering the fact that he was playing like shit. He even drew the attention of Jerry, the pit manager who appeared at the table to introduce himself.
“Hey there, my name’s Jerry. Welcome to the Club Cal Neva. What’s your name?”
“Daniel,” Daniel answered, shaking his hand.
“Daniel, we’ve been watching your play−you have a very unique style. You’ve done very well for a twenty dollar buy in.”
Daniel smiled. “I’ve never played before... it’s my first trip to Reno. I guess I’m having beginner’s luck.”
“Well it’s always nice to get new customers. Have you eaten?”
“Just a hotdog earlier.”
“Can we buy you dinner? Where are you staying? Perhaps we can get you a room for the evening. I believe there are several still available.”
“That would be awesome,” responded Daniel, flattered by the offer.
“Great, I’ll tell you what − let me get you into our player’s club. Do you have a driver’s license?”
“Sure.” Daniel reached for his wallet and pulled out his ID. He handed it to Jerry, who took it to the podium in the middle of the pit.
Paige tapped back into the game.
“Hello again,” said Daniel, grinning ear to ear.
“I see your luck is continuing,” noted Paige as she dealt the next hand. She gave Daniel a blackjack, but showed an ace as her hole card. She called for insurance, then in a low voice whispered, “You know you can take even money.”
“No, you don’t have it,” he replied.
“Okay, then,” she retorted as she checked her hand in the peek window. The peek flashed green−she didn’t have blackjack for the push. “Ya know...” she said, as she paid him off. “... it’s the craziest thing, but I get the feeling you know what cards are coming.
Daniel scoffed in disbelief. “That’s impossible.”
“Yeah,” she responded, eyeing him intently.
“So tell me,” said Daniel, changing the subject. “Where’s a good place to eat here? It seems they want to buy me dinner.”
“See if they’ll comp you to the Steak House. It’s the best place − actually the only real place to eat here.”
It was at that moment that Jerry returned to the table, a weird expression on his face. He held up Daniel’s driver’s license. “Daniel, your license. Is this a mistake? It states here that you’re blind.”
“What?” exclaimed Paige, her mouth falling open.
“Yes, I am,” responded Daniel.
Jerry was speechless. “Uh, well, it’s − it’s just that I’ve never seen someone... in your condition, I mean... your state... play like you do. You haven’t asked any of the dealers what your cards are?”
Under normal circumstances Daniel never took advantage of people. It was usually the other way around, but somehow this situation was just too good to pass up. Pulling off his sunglasses, he revealed his two opaque, milky-white eyes which sent Jerry into a big time apology mode. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” he sputtered. “It’s just that I couldn’t believe my eyes − oh shit − I mean...”
Daniel let him off the hook. “It’s okay, Jerry, I’ve had to live with it for a while... it’s mostly for ID anyhow. I can see things close up. Do you think I could get dinner for two at the Steak House and maybe that room for the night?”
Embarrassed beyond means, Jerry eagerly acquiesced−anything to make up for his blunder. “Certainly! I’d be happy to see to it. Let me get the comp now.” He returned immediately to his computer leaving Daniel and Paige alone.
“Sure would be nice to have dinner with someone tonight,” noted Daniel, harboring a school yard fantasy.
Paige smiled weakly. “I’m sorry, Daniel, we’re not allowed to fraternize with our customers. And honestly you do seem a little young...”
“It’s okay, I understand.”
Jerry returned to the table with the food comp and a player’s card for Daniel.
“Here you go, Mr. Lewis. Your player’s card and a comp for two at the Steak house. And I’ve called the front desk; your suite is ready − just check in at the front desk whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks” said Daniel, shaking the pit manager’s hand. He then turned to Paige. “Well, I think it’s time to cash in.” He pushed his chips toward her.
“Color!” Paige called out.
“Color up,” came the response from the floor-person behind her.
Paige ran down Daniel’s chips, the total coming to five hundred and sixty-three dollars. She tallied it up and called out the total before handing it off to Daniel.
“Here you go hon−five sixty-three. The cage is right behind you over there.”
“Thanks,” said Daniel. He threw her a hundred. “I had a blast.”
Standing up from the game, Daniel gave Paige one last look, the clothes on her body melting away, leaving her tota
lly naked to his view once more. He sighed as he looked her over. Damn... she was pretty.
“Tell me,” he inquired as he turned to leave. “I am curious...”
“About what?” she asked.
“Did it hurt? I mean... getting those things put in there?” He gestured to his own pec muscles as Paige’s mouth dropped. Oh shit, he thought. He’d stepped in it now. “I’m sorry... excuse me,” he apologized, “... that was inappropriate.” With his face beet red again he started to walk away.
Paige was utterly stunned and she could feel her own face turning red. How the hell did he know that? He was blind for God’s sake... How could he know? Shit! That is so weird... too damn weird...
Recovering from her shock, Paige realized there was more to Daniel than what met the eye. He had something, an ability... an ability that... Wow... could be put to good use. She called to him as he rounded the end of the pit, pointing to her watch with her finger. “I get off in twenty minutes. Meet me at the sports bar.”
* * * *
Daniel and Paige sat in the Steak House enjoying their prime rib dinner complete with a baked potato, salad, and of course a rich dessert as everything was comped. Daniel was famished anyway. He hadn’t really eaten in days and it showed, though he did manage to maintain his manners in front of his date. His aunt would have had his hide otherwise. Of course, his mind wasn’t really on the meal. It was on Paige. He couldn’t believe he was having dinner with someone like her. Sitting across from her over dinner was like taking the most beautiful girl in the school to the prom. She was beautiful, sophisticated and alluring, and the outfit she had changed into was more than becoming. Daniel’s head raced with ludicrous ideas about where the evening might lead.
“So, that’s how I got here,” he said, explaining to her how he arrived in Reno.
“And the guy trying to kill you was a mob hitman?”
“Yeah, so it would seem. All I know is he was a crazed psycho.”
