Paralyzed - Drawing Dead: Part 1/6

Episode Date: December 30, 2024

Eden, or E, is a poker dealer. Today seems like any normal work day, even with an older man being a little creepy and hitting on her, but when she gets a phone call things change... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

All right, action is on you, sir. Check. Check. Bet 20. The next two players folded. Call. I fold. Small and big blindfolded and I pulled in their chips.

Damn it. All right, I fold. After player three folded, player four threw a chip-in, signifying call, and I pulled in all the chips. Three players. I tapped the table, put out the flop. I thought I folded. The older man sitting in the nine seat nudged me with his elbow.

But if the pretty dealer won't give me something to play with soon, I might just have to switch tables. You have a personal grudge against me, dear. Sorry? I'm just messing around. I nodded and turned my attention back to the game. Sir, it's on you. I know.

I bet 40. Okay. Call. Player in the eight seat folded. Heads up. I tapped the table twice and put out the turn. Again, the player in the four seat tanked. He stroked his large mustache and even huffed at one point.

I sat there giving him the time to act. I didn't care how long someone took, as long as they tipped well at the end. And mustache man did. I easily made five bucks a hand from him if the pot was. was over a hundred, which it already was. Hmm. Whatever you put out, I'm calling. I don't know if I believe that.

You think I raise, Pri, for fun? Test me. Okay. Fine. All in. But instead of a snap call from the young clean-shaven kids sitting in the middle of the table, he hesitated. Huh. Really?

The turn was that good for you? You said whatever I bet. Yeah, yeah. Now it was player first. five in the tank. I found it funny how hard each player had to think about it. This was a one-three game, but it played like a one-two. If Mustash Man wasn't here, I'd be pushing $10 pots the whole down. I have you beat. Mustash man was toying with him, but still the young kid went into the tank, thinking over all the possibilities.

Hey, dealer, do you plan on going to the casino tonight? What? The older man, with scruffy graying hair and thin-rimmed glasses in sea. beat nine, nudged me again. But this time with the top of his cane. Am I going to see you playing cards tonight? Oh, uh, possibly, yeah. This man who looked to be in his late 50s, possibly early 60s, smiled a crooked smile. It did not make me feel good, but the card room was filled with horny old guys.

If you don't hurry, I'm calling the clock. Fine. You know what? Player 5 made like he. was going to push in his chips, but instead folded. That's what I thought. That's what you get for raising with a medium pair. That's not what I had.

You have queens? No. But it doesn't matter, because you got lucky and turned trips. I wish I did. I don't have trips. What do you have? But mustache man didn't show. He smiled and threw the cards to me, face down.

I mucked them and pushed him the pod. And as expected, he tossed me a red ship. $5. Thank you. As I dealt the next hand, I could feel the man with the cane staring at me the whole time. What was his deal? Action on you. He didn't realize action had gone all the way around the table already.

You know, I see you there often. At the casino? Yeah. Oh. He folded and I continued with the hand as he talked. Five players. Actions on you, sir. Normally you play two-five or five-ten

But I've even seen you play slots That's where I am most of the time Oh? This was such a weird conversation Because I didn't recognize this man He wasn't a regular here I knew all the regulars I'd been dealing in this card room for a long time Four players

Do you like the casino? There's a lot of people Not a fan of that But it's the only place I can play Right, because you can't play here. Can't play where I work. Makes sense. Three players.

The casino had everything, but it was always super busy. Where I dealt was a small card room on the north side. We didn't have slots or video poker or dice games. We just had the basic card games like Hold'em, P-L-O, and stud, along with a few table games like U-T-H, Pi-Gow, and three card poker. So even if I could play here, I probably wouldn't. Dealing with the crowds was a small price to pay for better games and slots. Okay, showdown. Full house, baby.

The other players mucked their hands, and I pushed Player 3 the pod. I was trying my hardest to focus on dealing and keeping the game moving, but Player 9 wouldn't stop talking. Well, next time I see you there, I'll say hi. I wanted to tell him not to worry about it, but working on tips, you learn to be cordial. all the time. Even when gross older men were flirting with you. Maybe I can buy you a drink. But I ignored his drink comment, pretending I didn't hear it. I grabbed all the cards getting the

next hand ready. Small and big guys. Hey. Just before I was about to push the shuffler button, Fred, a co-worker came over. Yeah? You got an important call. I do. At the podium. Um, I got you. I'm on a dead spread anyway. Okay, thanks. I push back in my chair, about to let Fred deal for me. When the older man swiveled in his seat to face me, he laid his cane on his lap. Your name's E? It's short for Eden. Oh, I see it now.

He motioned to my name tag. I forced a smile. That's lovely. A very pretty name. Oh, uh, thank you. I was glad I had a call. Give me a break from the weird guy. Sorry, everyone. I'll be right back. I cleared my hands and let Fred take my seat. He started to deal the next hand as I headed up to the podium. I wasn't sure if Player Nine was watching me.

It felt like he was, but I didn't dare look back. When I reached the podium, Kaylee, the young, busty brush handed me the phone. She looked worried, and now so was I. They said it's urgent. Hello? Hey, man, it's Dean. What the hell? What's going on?

I swear if this is a... Ben, gosh, this is serious. I know you aren't allowed to have your phone on you at work, but you probably have a ton of miss calls. I was going to come down there. Dean, out with it. Your brother. He's been in a car accident.