Surely You Jest

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Ms. Madeline knew how to play cards, and played with the very best of card players. Her moods ever shifting, reflected upon her face, often confusing the others as to which of these moods displayed her poker face best. Their confusion was always to her benefit, and because of this, she won many games. 

There were many a haughty card player she took down in shame, she knew the cards well and what exactly the others posseseed. She’d stare down one player who thought to fool her, and she’d laugh in that shrill tone of hers that they all come to know so well, when they knew they’d been caught bluffing. Then she’d grow serious and ask “Surely you jest?”.

Her straightfaced no nonsense glare terrified men and women alike. She became famous around the world that she began taking people by appointments only who vied for her time and attention, to be able to sit and play cards with her.  She’d only play with the best till there was only 2 left. A man and a young boy who’d admired her from afar. She accepted both their requests and was very much looking forward to humiliating the man who’s foul arrogant reputation, preceded him. 

And the boy? What of him? A student to the game? A fan of hers? Of course, with him there was nothing to gain or lose, just to offer an opportunity to the young lad, and besides the more the merrier to play with, right?

This particular game, Ms. Madeline invited only the former best that she had played against, to witness. Happily they accepted and still felt honored to be invited even after losing tragically at her hands. Behind a two way mirror in a small room, they sat quietly and watched after forming a betting pool of their own, some foolishly betting against Ms. Madeline, the others knowing all to well how this would end.

The man was confident, and suave but Ms. Madeline took to none of his flattery and instead challenged him to give his all to the game.

“What of the child?” he pointed to the young boy “are you not going to pose the same challenge?”

Ms. Madeline laughed surely amused by this man’s question, and the smell of fear he radiated off himself. 

“Surely you’re not afraid of this boy?” she smiled showing all her teeth. 

“Of course not” he huffed.

“Then don’t worry about the boy’s place here, and let’s play” Ms. Madeline replied, smile now gone.

The man became quite nervous during the game, having foolishly discarded some cards he surely needed back in play. He looked to the boy who looked relaxed and studied his cards in hand and what was laid out before him.  He then looked to Ms. Madeline who never took her eyes from him and offered a small smile that resembled to him more of a sneer.

The pile of poker chips had since grown in the middle of the table between the two and the boy only offering what little he could afford. The man lusted after the chips, knowing well how much they translated to when cashed out, wanted so desperately to beat this woman of all her worth who calls herself a card player.

 ‘Pennies to the dollar compared to my wealth’, his over inflated ego boasted in his mind. ‘That she dare try to go against me? Just who does she think she is?’ he asked himself.

These thoughts began to upset him and with an octave higher to his normal voice, he readily announced he was ready to make his move. He proudly laid his cards down.

With an interested lift to her eyebrow, Ms. Madeline nodded in approval, then laid down her cards upon the table. The man sat back in his seat in disgust, he knew he’d been beat. Losing was the hardest pill he had to swallow. Ms. Madeline reached across the table to claim her winnings when the boy by appointment who’d been silent the whole duration of the game, finally spoke up.

“Ms. Madeline, I was apart of this card game, are you not curious to see what cards I possess?”

“You don’t matter, you were only here to observe and learn”, she scoffed at the young boy.

“Oh but Miss, I have. I’ve studied you for quite some time, please let me show you what I learned” the boy insisted.

“Very well, show yourself” she told him and pulled herself back into her chair away from the chips.

The boy carefully laid his cards down one by one, revealing he was the true winner

Ms. Madeline’s face registered shock for the very first time.

In a voice barely above a whisper, she asked “Surely you jest?”

The boy smiled proudly.

 

 

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