Page:Zora Neale Hurston - Poker!.pdf/2

 AW, you can be had! Come on and get in the game! My britches is cryin' for your money!

Soon as I play the deck I'm comin! and take you alls money! Don' rush me. Ace means the first time that I met you Duece means there was nobody there but us two Trey means the third party - Charlie was his name Four spot means the fourth time you tried that same old game - Five spot means five years you played me for a clown Six spot means six feet of earth when the deal goes down Now I'm holding the seven spot for each day of the week Eight means eight hours that she Sheba-ed with your Sheik - Nine spot means nine hours that I work hard every day - Ten spot means tenth of every month I brought you home my pay - The Jack is three-card Charlie who played me for a goat The Queen, that's my pretty Mama, also trying to cut my throat - The King stands for Sweet Papa Nunkie and He's goin' to wear the crown, So be careful you all ain't broke when the deal goes down!

Aw now, brother, two dollars for your seat before you try to sit in this game.

NUNKIE

I didn't put it down because I knew you all goin! to be puttin' it right back in my pocket.

Aw, Y'all go ahead and play.

Deal!

My luck sure is rotten! My gal must be cheatin' on me. I ain't had a pair since John Henry had a hammer!

(Drawing three new cards) You might be fooling the rest with the cryin' you're doin! but I'm squattin' for you! You're cryin' worse than cryin' Emma!