[h1][color=lightgray]Carl Semken[/color][/h1]
[hr]
“Fold.”

“Fold.”

“Fold.”

“Call.”

The table collectively turned towards the man who called Carl’s raise. Carl himself looked at the man and asked, [color=lightgray]“You gonna try it, Donny?”[/color]

“I have watched you come in here and win [i]so many hands[/i] with that static face of yours.” Donny replied, “Not gonna get me this time. [i]Call[/i].” He put his money forward and glared at Carl, who glared in return, even if such wasn’t visible. It was no contest in terms of who had the best poker face here, but it looked like Donovan the mechanic was going for the gold. [color=lightgray]“Alright.”[/color] Carl said, seeming a little enthusiastic. [color=lightgray]“Check.”[/color]

“Check.”

Hudson, acting as the dealer, put down the last card. Seven of diamonds, alongside a six of clubs, four of spades, four of diamonds, and queen of hearts. Carl turned over his hand; a queen of diamonds, and a seven of spades. Donny turned over his; a five of diamonds and an eight of hearts. Straight beats the two pair.

[color=lightgray]“Fuckin’…”[/color] Carl called out, amidst the expressions of surprise from the rest of the table and Donny’s [i]audible smile as he hauled in the pot[/i]. Carl eased himself and sighed. [color=lightgray]“Okay Donny, that one’s yours. We were playin’ Omaha I would’ve gotten you though.”[/color]

“We did Omaha last time Carl. And Hector won that one.”

The others seated at the table were a construction worker named Hector, another NEST officer named Charles, and biker-looking fellow named Patrick. Hector was often called for collateral jobs that were caused by meta-humans fighting, Charles was just some Nesty who’d been suffering from a run of bad luck on the job, and Patrick… Patrick used to be a Highway Star but, he wasn’t involved with them anymore. Old story about making a deal with some other folks to get out safely, he didn’t enjoy bringing it up.

It was always these five, every week, playing poker in this bar, with their own little stores of pocket money to bet with.

Just five friends, on a night out, having a good time.