Ten

Scott brought Jimmy back to the wild world of gambling. The crushing atmosphere was just as intoxicating as it was the previous day, and Jimmy found a new load of confidence surge through his body.

“Does it ever slow down?”

“No way. Too much money man.”

“Don’t they ever run out of events?”

“Have you seen how rabid the people are here? They’re willing to bet on anything.”

“Dammit Scott, you just lost me ten pounds.” A random squat man with chest hair poking out the top of his shirt slapped Scott on the back.

“Oh shit, how?”

“I bet Gertrude you wouldn’t be in today, after your big winnings yesterday.” The man walked off shaking his head.

“Like I said, they’re willing to bet on anything. Follow me, and we’ll get everything sorted for you and Norman.”

Scott led Jimmy tucked behind a partial wall in the back corner of a room. He knocked a rhythmic pattern, and the door was partially opened.

“Scott O’Malley here. I’ve brought someone that needs to set up a…rooster fight. It needs to be done now, as the guy’s a little on the desperate side for money.”

“Gimme a minute,” replied a low growl of a voice.

“Sounds promising.” Scott smiled to Jimmy.

“Come in.” The door creaked open halfway and Jimmy and Scott entered the fanciest room Jimmy had ever seen.

There were sculptures of things that Jimmy couldn’t begin to even understand. Paintings of famous people and paintings of world events. There were many paintings of horses. Things covered in gold, others, made of gold. The carpet was a velvet red, and a tiger lay on a leather lounge in the corner of a room.

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Sitting on a throne of iron, timber, and gold was an elderly woman covered in gold jewellery. Her lipstick a vibrant orange and her hair looked like a beehive.

“Good morning, Scott. How are you this fine day?” Scott stood across from the lady and bowed. He beckoned for Jimmy to do the same.

“Good morning your highness. I’m very well today.”

“Who have you brought with you today?” Scott looked at Jimmy and nodded.

“My name is Jimmy Byrne, your highness.” Jimmy bowed again.

“Why have you brought him in to see me, Scott?”

“He brings a rooster and needs to have a rooster fight today. He can’t wait, as he needs the money for tomorrow.”

“Who do you owe money to?” she didn’t sound amused.

“Mr. Walsh.”

“Oh, good heavens boy. Do you have a death wish on your head?”

“No, your majesty.”

“Normally, I wouldn’t care for just any person to barge in and demand an event be immediately made just so they can make some money. But, seeing as though this is a friend of yours, Scott, I’ll make an exception.”

“Thank you, your highness.” Scott bowed and backed away slowly.

“Thank you, your highness.” Jimmy also bowed and backed away. As they left the room, an explosion made them jump as the door was slammed behind them.

“Who was that?” Jimmy asked.

“She is simply known as The Queen. Who she really is, who knows. But its your ticket out of here. If you win.”

“What do we do now?” Jimmy only now realised he was still holding his rooster.

“We can do whatever we want, but we stay here. Your fight will happen, and soon.”

Jimmy approached a table and sat Norman on top. He told his rooster not to move and ordered a drink. Scott sat with him and ordered two drinks.

“Just who exactly is Mr. Walsh?” Jimmy asked when their drinks arrived. “Seems like every bloody person knows who he is, and they all seem scared when I mention his name.”

“Mr. Walsh is a powerful man. A kingpin who has his hands in everything and eyes everywhere. A lot of people in a lot of different things owe their start to him, and many act as though they are on his payroll. I don’t know all he’s done, but I assume he’s done just about everything that a person can do. From what I can tell, you’re lucky he’s even giving you a second chance. You really fucked up with going to him to get your money.”

“I had no idea. I really hope I can get enough money for tomorrow.”

“How much money did Aisling give you?” Scott downed a second beer and stared hard at his friend.

“She gave me.” Jimmy pulled the money out and gave a quick count. “Two hundred. Wow, that’s a lot of money.”

“Not to her it ain’t.”

“If I double this money, I’ll have enough to cover my first payment to Walsh. I can take Niamh on a nice date and pay you back for those beers from yesterday. With some left over. Oh, and I’ll pay Aisling back on my next win.”

“Look at you,” Scott chuckled.

“What?”

“You’re a true gambler.”

“How do you mean?”

“You’ve already planned out how you’re gonna spend all your winnings, and you haven’t even gotten anything yet.

“Are you Jimmy Byrne that wanted the rooster fight?” asked a voice laden with a country twang.