The Comancheros Page #6

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to bed without making a profit.

Did you give any thought

to that game back there?

Let's give it a try.

All right, men. Ante up, please.

Room for two more?

For more men and more money if

you don't mind being separated.

I might as well warn

you boys I'm a bad loser.

I'm Ed McBain.

- All right.

- Bill Kane.

- My name's Garth.

- And my name's Tully Crow.

And the name of the game is

five-card stud. Cough up the dues.

Cut the cards if you're a traveller.

Good luck to everybody.

See you.

- Three queens.

- You're sure lucky tonight, brother.

You can't keep from winning

tonight, can you, partner?

They've been runnin' pretty good.

But not for me. Seems least a man can do

is let his partner win one now and then.

- You couldn't win one if he let you.

- How is that?

- You play too wild, mister.

- Man's right.

- Luck ain't got a thing to do with cards.

- Not the way those cards was being dealt.

Now, you better do a

little beggin' your pardon.

What for? I don't mind losin'. I

just like to have a run for my money.

- I'll give you your money back.

- Don't do me no favours.

Just try dealin' a hand

straight next time around.

- No call for that kind of talk, mister.

- You better watch your step, brother.

Let's remember we're gentlemen.

Forget it. He's just spittin' out

words to see where they splatter.

You think I miss much? You think

I didn't see that look you passed

to this cold-footed, slippery-fingered

gentleman on my right when you sat down?

How many partners you

got in this game, partner?

That's whisky talking, Crow.

You know better than that.

Whisky don't muddle me none.

And you better remember that next time

you run your thumb over them cards.

There ain't gonna be no

next time. I'm gettin' out.

- Give the change to the swabber.

- No, you ain't out. Not till I say so.

Time we both quit, Crow.

You don't like losing to me and

I don't like winning from you.

Nobody's dropping out

till I get my money back.

Mind a suggestion, friend?

The trouble is you don't enjoy

the game for its own reward.

Stimulation, relaxation,

pleasant association and

the interesting conversation.

Shut your mouth.

Keep your seat. Don't cut in on this.

Crow, this isn't gonna get

any better picking at it.

I don't want any quarrel with you.

We got a deal. That's more important.

And, like I said, I'll

give you your money back.

- But I'm walking out.

- You're gonna sit down.

You're gonna play poker.

It might take me longer to get it

back that way, but you got time.

You took it quick enough.

We'll talk about that in the morning.

McBain, you try walkin' out on

me now and see how far you get -

deal or no deal.

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