Hurricane Poker Night

Ali and three other friends seated in the center of the room, with the windows closed and the fire burning, Light was off because of suspended electricity supply in extreme weather condition. So the candles in reserve were lit around the Ali’s tiny apartment. The sound of rain hitting on the glass and the charcoal bumping in the fireplace and the occasional distant thunder clashing, made it the perfect night to Poker.

Poker is better with friends. Erik, Steve and Dean sat quietly in their seats, waiting for Ali to make his move. The candle flame flickered on the middle of the table, their shadows cast on the wall distorted and struggled, but soon returned to its true host. Ali invited the three loners over to his place because he knew they would be doing nothing on their own anyway.

Ali rubbed his cards and at once raised five bucks with a smirk at Erik. The round proceeded as the rest called to the five dollars, The fourth card was shown, a demanding bloody heart Queen. They checked their cards together. Steve rubbed his stub and let out a tiresome groan while the others remained silence. Ali sipped from the Whiskey bottle, and checked.

The other two complied except Erik who apparently not in his right mind, raised another five bucks, even when his facial expression and body language displayed his frustration in plain sight. Others gladly followed for but remain skeptical.

The fifth card was dealt and a mad black club Ace was shown.

“Come on,” sighed Dean. “This is bullshit.”

“Chill out there, cowboy, what have you got.” asked Ali.

“None of your fucking business is what I've got.” said Dean.

“Fine.”

Steve checked the hand and so did the others.

Ali came up with a pair of Ace, Erik a pair of Queen, Steve a two pairs of Queen and Two, and Dean got nothing much than an Ace High.

Steve hugged his victory chips and pushed them toward his own stash.

“Damn it, you are a real cunning one you know that. Why aren't you going to the undercover and let me be the detective?” remarked Dean.

“It’s just me, or is there something buzzing in the room?” laughed Steve.

Erik picked up the cards and shuffled them in silence. Ali stood up and checked the fireplace.

“Are you guys warm enough?” said Ali.

“It’s all good here.”

Ali poked the charcoal with a crumpled and twisted newspaper and sent it to the heart. He returned to his seat and offered the fellows a refill.

Steve shook his head. “Nah, another few fingers of that and I am going to lose all my baby chips.”

Ali poured the Whiskey into Erik and Dean’s cup, and gave them some more ice into the mix.

“So, Dean, two weeks and you will be in the deep, right?” Erik eyed him.

“Like I said, none of your fucking business either. Captain Reynolds.” Dean swallowed a finger of whiskey with the ice lingering in his mouth.

“Hey, all right, into your character already, I like that.” commented Erik.

“Just deal the hand.”

Erik flipped the cards in his hand and shuffled twice more.

The new hands wasn't any better to Dean, a pair of Two.

Ali got an Eight with the bloody heart Queen haunting him.

Erik peeked at his hands, a Diamond Knight and a Three.

A pair of Ace grinned at Steve.

Steve checked his hands and the other called to the blind of two bucks.

The Flop consisted of a pair of Three and a Seven.

Steve, Dean and Ali checked again, only Erik raised three bucks for his hand. They called.

The Turn turned out to be a Two.

Steve again, held his ground. Dean raised two bucks and Ali called but Erik raised another three bucks. Steve called, Dean called, Ali Folded.

“Damn son, seriously, this is the worst hand tonight.” cried Ali, and he moved away to the the windows looking out at the city’s scattered candle lights.

Erik flipped out the River, a classic Ace.

The three of them smiled at their cards. Steve raised ten bucks and Dean added another ten, Erik and Steve called.

Just as they were about to show their hands, Ali opened the window and a gust of wind rushed through the room, the burning charcoal jumped everywhere and the cards on the table flowed on the floor. Ali quickly banged close the window.

“Damn it, Ali. What the hell do you think you are doing?” barked Dean.

“Yeah, what the hell is that about?” said Steve.

“Nothing, just taking some fresh air.” Ali walked to the fireplace and fixed the charcoal back to their position.

The three of them picked up the cards and the four of them seated down once again for the game.