"Well you said you were on your way, [i]friend[/i]. So what's holding you here?"
	"You took my money, [i]sir[/i]."
	"No good man, you [i]lost[/i] your money at this table now good day to you." Diego responded as he waved over another shot of whiskey. The fella who had busted out at the table snatched his hat, stewing in his anger a little too long before turning around and walking out with some of his friends. Annie glared at their backs as she draped her arms over his shoulder and watched him play. He had been busting people out well into the afternoon, leaning back and letting the ivory grip on his off-hand mauser catch light. 

	Annie got up and took his empty glass to the bar. Diego began shuffling with one hand as he looked around, "What this place needs barkeep is some of that tequila I was telling you about," he yelled towards the bar, "Perhaps then we can have some big bets at the table, wouldn't that be proper?" he smirked, cutting the deck and reshuffling. Annie came back and returned to her position behind Diego, rubbing his shoulders as he stared at the empty chair. He could hear Claude's voice as if his mentor was whispering in his ear, [i]an empty chair is a lost opportunity[/i].

	"Would you like something to eat, honey?" Annie ask him in her thick country accent.
	"I'm fine Annie, thank you." He quickly responded, staring out of the window bored of the day already. Maybe it was time to start lending money, or set up a craps game of his own since the Strawberry affair is taking so long. What he really wished was that he could open a restaurant, one that serves more than lamb's fry and cooked rabbits meat. The dinner clubs in Saint Denis seemed like they were on the other side of the world, all Valentine knew was game meat and muddy whiskey. Diego caught himself getting irritated, cleared his throat and redetermined himself to get comfortable. Who knows if he'd leave Valentine any time soon. "We got us a card game over here gentlemen, a mans game, let's turn some cards." He pitched at patrons who walked in and over to the bar, or the girls. After a few more moments of silence, Diego got up and raised his voice.

	"Shot of whiskey for any fella in here with the stones to sit down and play some cards, let's make some money." he bellowed. If there weren't any takers, the Mexican was prepared to get soggy and take Annie upstairs.