CASINO SHUFFLE Read Free Page B

are currently sixty-three players involved.   No side games.   Winners from day one progress to day two where a final winner will be determined in a show-down.   The tournament will be telecast live on cable and our marketing photographers will be present for promotional shots.”
    “Telecast live.   Will I have to shave?”
    “The dress code is a bit more substantial than that.”   Antonio sidestepped a bellhop hustling a brass luggage cart down the back hallway.   “Formal Texan attire is required.”
    The line was silent for a moment.   Finally Max said, “I don’t think I want to know.”
    “I have a black tuxedo, freshly pressed, and a white Stetson, brushed and ready for your arrival.”   Antonio turned a corner and saw the security team waiting for him at the end of the hall.
    “Ah, geez.   A tuxedo .   What’s a Stetson?   Isn’t that cologne?”
    “A cowboy hat,” said Antonio, taking a quick count of the security officers as he approached.   He nodded to Mark Ford, who was squinting at his shopping bag of umbrellas.   “A ten gallon cowboy hat, to be exact.”
    On his end of the line, Max was laughing and relaying this information to the limo driver.   There was an abrupt silence.   Max came back on the line.   “He says you’re serious.”
    “I’m sure it was printed on your invitation, Max.”
    “I don’t read my mail!   I don’t even know where my mail goes half the time.”
    “Mr. Cashmen is coming and I know that he’s looking forward to playing with you again.”
    “Cash is wearing a hat too?”
    “Of course.”
    Pause.   “White hats are the good guys, at least.”
    “Exactly why I chose it for you,” said Antonio.   He stopped in front of the security team and handed the sack of umbrellas to Mark Ford.   Pressing the BlackBerry lightly to his shoulder, he said, “Everyone gets an umbrella.”
    Mark Ford stared into the sack.   “We didn’t get you anything.”   He motioned his men to draw an umbrella.
    One officer said, “Is this to beat off the girls from that Brandon kid?”
      Another asked, “What’s that song he sings?”
    “All over the radio… Sexy bitch .”
    “Right!   Can you believe that?”
    “But on the radio they changed it to Sexy Witch.   My daughter has that version.”
    “Mark, can we beat him with these?   Like they would in Vegas?”
    The head of security tossed aside the empty bag.   “Shut-up guys.”   He held up his umbrella and asked Antonio, “Follow your lead?”
    Antonio nodded.   Putting the BlackBerry to his ear he said, “Max.   I’m very sorry but I have to attend to an arriving guest.”
    “Oh, right.   Shannon Moon and that other guy.”
    Antonio paused at the doors that opened to the valet port.   “You didn’t read that in the papers, did you?”   Brandon ’s Saturday performance in Twilight was no secret, but the arrival of his actress girlfriend was not publicized by the casino to ensure her privacy.
    Max said, “Damien told me.   He called me in the limo.   Wants to sign me up for the Player’s Club again.”
    Antonio felt his lips compress.   Casino Hosts like Damien Valentine used celebrity arrivals as teasers to entice players into their high-roller club.   Everything was bait for their hooks, with no respect for discretion.
    Antonio pushed through the doors and made his way to the valet port, followed by the security contingency.   The night was firmly in the backdrop of the bright lights and marble columns of the porte-cochere.   “I’m sorry about that.   I’ll handle Damien.   Call me before you arrive, Max.   I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”
    “Me too.   But I’m already here.”
    Antonio halted.   Mark Ford bumped into his shoulder.   A jumble of security officers bumped into them both.
    “Where are you calling from, Max?”
    “The limo.   Hey, I can see you.   Tell Mark I said hi.”
    Antonio scanned the entrance to the porte-cochere.   Rolling