Gambler Jack/Chapter 3


 * -|English= Chapter 3 - Challenge at High Noon

Jack and the girl moved over to a table in the back. Unlike the other pitted and sticky furniture, this table was smooth and polished to a shine and seemed meant for gambling. Without a word, both took their seats. Jack sat against the wall, and the girl faced him straight on.

The other patrons were captivated. Helplessly fascinated by the match, they snuck glances at the pair, ears straining to listen in.

The bar filled with fidgety silence.

The girl's game of choice was poker.

Jack accepted wordlessly.

After a brief exchange to confirm the terms of the challenge, they settled on bets. It was to be 100 mira a hand--not even enough to buy a beer--but Jack considered that fair for a match against a kid and said as much.

The dealer was the small-fry punk from before. Jack gave him a quick eye signal.

First hand:

Both discarded just one card.

Jack called and the girl stood.

Jack had two pairs.

The girl had just one. Jack was the winner.

'Haha. Sorry, little missy,' he drawled.

He raised his glass to her and downed the amber liquid in a single, decisive gulp.

Second hand:

Both discarded just one card.

Perhaps trying to look confident, Jack let out a big, clear sigh.

The girl called and Jack stood.

The girl had two pairs. Jack had the same. But the cards told the tale...

The girl's hand had the high card.

It was her win.

'...What?!' Jack exclaimed.

His hand that had been toying with the glass froze. Immediately, he glanced over at the punk who was dealing. The other man avoided his gaze. 'Something wrong?' the girl asked.

Her face betrayed nothing.

'N-No... Forget it,' he shakily responded.

Had she swapped out some cards? The game had suddenly taken on a whole new angle.

The look on Jack's face changed instantly.

Lightly clearing his throat, Jack put the glass back on the table with his left hand. Then, once more, he cleared his throat. The dealer, recognizing the signal, picked up the cards again. It was their code for 'Deal normally next round.'

Third hand:

As expected, each discarded just one card.

Jack called and the girl stood.

Jack's hand was...a full house.

'Hahaha! How 'bout THAT?!' he crowed.

With a flourish, Jack laid his cards on the table. The bar patrons snickered into their cups.

The girl set down her own cards without a word. ...Four sevens.

It was the girl's win.

The bar once again returned to silence.
 * -|Japanese= 第３回　真昼の勝負

ジャックと少女は、奥のテーブル席に向かった. そこはギャンブル専用なのか、丁寧にニスで磨き上げられている. 言葉を交わすこともなく、２人は席についた. ジャックが壁を背に、少女はそれに向き合う形で.

ゴロツキどもはそんな２人の様子を盗み見ている. ２人の勝負が気になって仕方がないようだ. 揃いも揃って聞き耳を立てているらしく酒場の中は不気味な沈黙に包まれた.

少女はポーカーの勝負を挑み、ジャックは黙ってこれを受ける. ２、３の隠語でルールを確認すると最後に賭け金の額を決める. １勝負１００ミラ――酒代にもならない額だが、「子供相手じゃ、これくらいがいい. 」と、ジャックは一方的に話を進める.

カードを配るのはさっきのチンピラだ. ジャックはチンピラに軽く目配せする.

初戦――お互い一度だけカードを交換する. ジャックがコール. 少女が受けて立つ. ジャック、ツーペア. 少女、ワンペア. ――ジャックの勝ちだ. 「はは、悪いな嬢ちゃん. 」彼はグラスになみなみと注がれた琥珀色の液体を一息で喉に流し込んだ.

２回戦――お互い一度だけカードを交換する. 余裕の表れだろうか、ジャックは大きなあくびをして見せる. 少女がコールする. ジャックがそれを受けて立つ. 少女、ツーペア. ジャック、ツーペア. カードの強弱は……少女の側が強い. ――少女の勝ちだ.

「……………何！？」グラスを弄ぶジャックの手がピタリと止まる. ジャックはすかさずチンピラに目をやった. チンピラは目を泳がせる.

「どうかした？」そう聞く少女は、まるで仮面のようなポーカーフェイスだ.

「い、いや……何でもない. 」（まさかコイツすりかえを？……………………面白い. ）

――ジャックの目つきが変わる. 彼は軽く咳払いをして左手のグラスをテーブルに置く. それからもう一度、咳払い. ……合図を聞いたチンピラがカードを手に取る. 「次は普通に配れ」という意味だった.

３回戦――やはり、お互い一度だけカードを交換する. ジャックがコール. 少女がそれを受けて立つ. ジャックの手は……フルハウス. 「ははは、どうだ！」ジャックは得意げに手札を開く. ゴロツキどもの間から忍び笑いが漏れる.

少女は無造作に自分のカードを広げた. ……７のフォアカード.

結果は少女の勝ち――店の中はしんと静まり返った.