Chapter 45. Conquer the Crackerjack

Sputnik chandeliers swung a bit in the middle of the alley. Every customer’s eyes stared at Luigi, who sat opposite Oscar’s chair at the poker game table. Even Oscar, in front of Luigi, was astonished by his arrival. For them, Luigi was only a sixteen-year-old boy who earned pennies babysitting and wanted to start gambling in an expensive place.

“I’ll duel with you in poker, and I know what I am doing, Oscar,” said Luigi with a stern face given to him to make sure Oscar would believe in him.

The other customers who heard his word laughed at him and gossiped with each other like he was the main topic around the casino.

“Very well. Let’s start the game,” responded Oscar, leaning on his chair, and signed the staff to clean the table to place the cards and the other things needed to play poker. “Don’t cry when you lose kiddo. I bet you will call your mother.”

Deep inside, Luigi knew how all around the table underestimated his ability. He was kind of nervous, but