Pokerface

By Drew Hamblin

In the small town of Elofisk lives many greedy people, and when Beth hits the lottery and collects the lump sum in cash, that greed is put to the test. When eight people team up into four and chase each other down to steal the money from one another, their greed gets in the way, and the money is stolen from all of them. Now, they must team up and work together to get the money back. Putting their hardships behind them will be challenging, but with Sams plan in poker, they could possibly make millions doing so.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503581999

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Drew Hamblin.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 07/22/2015

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

715289

CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER ONE

A S SHE SAT in a chair, tapping her foot inside the cold, damp, gray waiting area of a prison, a door burst open. It startled her just a little, and a look of disappointment came upon her face as a man in leg shackles was being led to her on the opposite side of a Plexiglas wall where he sat down across from her. The guards uncuffed his hands so he could use the earpiece.

You got five minutes, Sam, said the guard.

The prisoner hesitated as he stared at her angrily, waiting for her to pick up the phone first.

What the fuck do you want, Beth? he yelled so she could hear him through the glass.

Hey, hey, hey, use the phone, said the guard.

Finally, she grabbed the earpiece and waited for him to do so as well. He grabbed his in an unbearable way.

What do you want? he asked her.

I just wanted to tell you that Eli and I are going to be moving, she explained.

Where to? he asked as a look of concern came about him.

You know I can’t tell you.

And you know you lied to the courts and put me in here, he quickly snapped at her.

I didn’t lie, and— Sam quickly interrupted her.

Oh, just fucking stop you crazy damn bitch! You damn well know you’re being taped right now.

I just thought I should let you know, she said.

Well, that’s just great. Now I know, and you can go. And also, Beth, my lawyer is going to get me out, and I will be after custody of Eli, Sam said.

Well, you’re not going to get him, Sam, Beth said, growing angry.

I’m innocent, Beth, and I’m going to make you feel what I feel. I want you to know what it’s like in here.

She stood up and looked down at him. You’ll never find us, Sam. You’re an asshole And she slammed the phone down and flipped him the middle finger and walked out.

Sam just sat there and watched her walk away with the phone still clung to his ear. He had a look of complete desperation on his face, and when she slammed the door behind her, that look quickly turned to a grin, knowing that he got the best of her was enough to make the visit well worth it.

You see, five years back, Beth caught Sam screwing around, even though they were no longer dating. So she followed him one night to his new girlfriend’s place. Only thing is, Beth had Sam’s hand gun, and she burst through the door in a jealous rage and shot this other girl. While Sam was in a complete shock, Beth called the cops and reported a shooting, and just before leaving the place, she cleaned the gun of her fingerprints and tossed it on the couch. When the cops arrived, they found Sam holding the girl and covered in her blood, the cops believed that he was still in a state of shock. Well, naturally, the cops found the gun, and of course, it traced back as his and landed him in prison. Now, everyone that knew Sam all had known there was no way that he would have pulled the trigger; he really loved that girl. And everyone that knew Beth knew she was crazy for Sam and crazy enough to do something like this. In fact, she always talked about having Sam’s child. I mean, she wanted his kid so badly that she went to the prison every weekend and begged him for his sperm. Well, finally, he caved and gave it to her, thanks to the guards sneaking him a private visit with her. He was a guy that loved his woman, and being in jail for so long put a tough toll on him. But I also think he had some kind of plan for her, some sort of revenge that he had been planning. I certainly don’t blame him.

Anyway, that’s how Eli comes into the picture. Poor kid was only two, and he had a whacko nutjob of a mother. Nobody in a hundred miles of Elofisk wanted anything to do with Beth since they all thought of her as being one of the craziest chicks around, not to mention that she had only one man on her mind and that was Sam. You see, Sam was the son of a well-known football coach and the nephew of the town’s mayor, and everyone in Elofisk was surprised that he was doing time since it was his family before him that built Elofisk. But of course, in this great nation, there is always someone that has to do the time. But it won’t be much more time for Sam since it was his first offense and the jury ruled it as accidental, and of course, the mayor is pulling some strings, so I’m sure he’ll get out early on good behavior.

The guard came up from behind Sam, patted him on the shoulder, and said, OK, Sam, let’s go pal.

Sam came back into reality and stood up as he was brought back into the prison.

Beth got back outside and climbed behind the wheel of her Jeep Cherokee. Another woman sat in the passenger seat soaking in the sun while Eli cried in his car seat in the back.

What’s wrong with Eli? Beth asked.

I dunno. I tried given ’im is bottle, but he don’t want it, said the woman in the passenger seat whose name is Tabby. She’s a few years older than Beth and a real scumbag pot-smoking lush, but she was the only person left in the area that would give Beth a helping hand.

Beth reached back to Eli. It’s OK, my little Eli, Mommy’s here. She felt his diaper. He needs to be changed, said Beth, upset that Tabby hadn’t already done it.

Hey, he’s not my kid, I don’t know ’im like you do, Tabby said in her ho-hum Long Island accent.

Christ, Tabby, how would you feel? snapped Beth.

Hey, I don’t wear diapers, replied Tabby.

Beth got back out and changed her son and then drove off.

As they headed along, Tabby reminded Beth of the upcoming rent payment that was due.

You know Derrick is gonna be looking for the rent tomorrow, right? she said.

Tabby, I get paid in three days. Can’t he just wait?

Hey, you know Derrick, but whatevah, he’s just gonna have to wait, I guess, said Tabby.

You see, Beth rented a room from Tabby and Derrick. This guy Derrick was the male version of Tabby, a real dirtbag. Beth wanted so badly to get out of there, but when you burn your bridges in a town like Elofisk, things aren’t so easily done after. Sure she could just pack up and screw out of there with Eli, but when you don’t have enough money to cover a simple hotel fee and you have a baby with you, hey, need I say more?

Beth pulled into the package store parking lot for Tabby.

I’ll go in for you, she said. I want to get my lottery tickets. She then held out her hand as to ask for the money from Tabby for her booze.

I don’t know why yah waste your time with that foolish lottery, you got da same luck with that as yah do with men, said Tabby as she rummaged through her purse for money. Get me dah cheap bottle and a six pack for Derrick, she added.

Yup, said Beth, like a teenager who couldn’t be bothered by her parents.

As she walked across the lot, some people scoured at her knowing who she was, but it didn’t stop Beth, nor did it even bother her in the least, as she didn’t even seem to notice. She went to the lottery counter and filled out her tickets first, the clerk keeping a watchful eye on her. She then got the booze for her booze-bagging roomies and headed for the register.

So what’s with the change of heart? asked the clerk.

Huh? Beth said, looking up at him confused.

You been coming here for almost three years now using the same numbers over and over, he stated.

Oh… Oh yeah, the numbers. I don’t know, I just thought that a change would be nice, I guess, explained Beth. He looked down at her, shaking his big, oversized head. Ahh… Yeah, so can you ring me up now, said Beth, not looking amused.

Oh yeah. Sorry, I’ve been kind of spacey all day, he said.

Beth paid and headed out quickly. When she got back in her vehicle, she handed Tabby the bag, who was already elbows deep inside of it before she even had a chance to let go.

Hey, dis isn’t dah cheap bottle, Tabby said annoyingly.

It’s the cheapest one that was in there, Beth insisted as Tabby rolled her eyes and sighed.

Whatevah, said Tabby.

When they got home, Beth made a home-cooked meal for everyone to try and ease the tension between her and Derrick about being late with the rent. It was Derrick’s place, and she had nowhere else to go at that point, even though she wanted to move away, far away. When they all sat down to eat, Derrick asked, So, Beth, are you going to have the rent tomorrow?

Well, I’m going to be three days late, Derrick. I’m sorry but there’s nothing that I can do.

Jesus Christ, Beth, he blurted. You know, Beth, I have to pay the bank money for the mortgage. That’s why I put that room up for rent, so I could make a little extra money in order to swing my mortgage payments

I know, Derrick, but I get paid every two weeks. I’m really sorry, Beth said.

Then Tabby added in, Well, she really feels horrible. That’s why she went through all this trouble of cooking all this food for us.

They all went silent, and all that was heard were the faint sound of Eli and the news that was on the television in the other room, and then the sound of someone on the news saying it was time for the lucky numbers drawing.

Hey, didn’t you play your numbers today? asked Tabby.

Yes, but like you said, Tabby, I never win.

The person on the television read off the numbers. It’s 7, 12, 18, 24, 32, and the final number is 48.

Nope, not my numbers, said Beth as she fed Eli and wiped his mouth clean.

After everyone was done eating, Tabby washed the dishes while Beth wiped them dry. They were talking about what Eli would do for work when he got older and joking around about it.

Oh, I bet he’s gonna be a stripper, Tabby remarked.

Oh no! blurted Beth.

No way, he better go to college and be a doctor or a lawyer, maybe an accountant then he can help his momma with her finances, said Beth.

Imagine winning that damn lottery, said Tabby. How nice would that be, she added.

Beth suddenly stopped wiping the plate she had in hand.

Oh crap! I completely forgot that I changed my numbers. Do you remember what they were? she asked Tabby while looking through her purse for the tickets.

No, I don’t remember. Hold on, I’ll check my cell, she said, wiping her hands dry.

As Tabby was typing it in on her cell, Beth had pulled the tickets out from her purse.

OK, I got ’em, said Tabby and then began to read off the numbers. It’s 7, 12, 18, 24, 32…

Oh my god! screamed Beth.

And 48, finished Tabby.

No, said Beth in a disappointing tone. No, no, no, she cried.

What, why? Tabby asked.

I had them all right, except the last one. It was forty-fucking-seven. Just my luck, son of a bitch, Beth said, exhausted.

Well, you still win something if you get the others right, said Tabby.

What? What are you talking about? Beth asked.

Yeah, you didn’t know that?

No.

Beth, you dipshit, have you ever got five right before? Come on, how long you been playing duh game anyhow? Tabby asked.

I don’t think so, Beth said, confused. I mean, it can’t be much, right? Isn’t it only like a few hundred bucks or something?

Tabby looked at Beth like she wanted to slap her for being so boneheaded. What are yah doing playing dis game anyway when yah don’t even know duh rules, girl? Wake up. On dis lottery, for every million dats in duh pot, you get twenty five grand, explained Tabby.

What? Beth began to look shocked. You’re kidding me, right? she added.

Tabby looked at her momentarily. How much was duh pot for anyways? Tabby asked.

It’s 4.5 million, Tab, 4.5 million, said Beth.

What! Holy shit! Are you serious? That’s like a hundred grand, kid! yelled Tabby. Holy hell, girl, you’re rich! she added.

Oh my god, I’m rich! Beth was excitedly dumbfounded. I can finally move somewhere nice. She moved around the kitchen in a trance. Oh, Tabby, I can’t believe this!

That night was the longest night of her life as she thought of all the possibilities that she could do with money like that. She went online and found out what she would collect if she took it all in one lump sum, and that is what she decided to do since she was so desperate to get out of that town. She hated living with Tabby and Derrick, especially while having Eli there with her. It made her feel like a lousy mother, and she wanted to make sure he had a good life.

Now with Beth, she hated the fact that she shot that other girl in a fit of rage and knowing that Sam took the fall for this actually did kill her inside, but she was a bit of a crazy bitch. And even though Sam took the fall for something he didn’t do, maybe in some sort of strange way he kind of deserved it. I mean, he’s a great guy and all, but he liked getting his prick wet, and when you say you love one girl and go screw another, well, you’re pretty much flirting with disaster. Plus, doing the time seemed to be making a better man out of him. I’m not quite sure how, but maybe not having a girl around for so long made him realize he didn’t need one around for the same reasons he wanted one before. I think he finally realized that he wanted a woman that would do the same things he enjoyed to do, and the weirdest part is that Beth was the one that did those things with him. At any rate, he had a hearing coming up in court soon, and it would determine if he could get out early on good behavior or just stick him back in for a few more years. Personally, I hope he gets outs early because he really is a great guy and one hell of a quarterback. The guy has a great arm and I think he should go pro—hell, all of Elofisk thinks he should go pro.

CHAPTER TWO

T HE NEXT DAY, Beth was exhausted. She didn’t sleep much from all the excitement, and it didn’t look like Tabby or Derrick did either. They too had been tossing and turning all night.

So, Beth, Derrick started with that shit eating grin of his and a tone in his voice like that of a used car salesman, I understand you won’t have a problem paying rent anymore, ha, ha, ha. Tabby told me about your winnings.

Oh my word! It’s unbelievable, Derrick, I just can’t get over it all, she remarked.

So how are you collecting? Are you gonna take monthly payments or take it in one lump sum? he asked.

Well, I figured it out last night, and after the taxes, I can take around eighty-five thousand and just walk, explained Beth.

Are you kidding? he blurted out. Eighty-five thousand, holy shit! Is that in cash? he asked.

Well, they do give that option, she said.

What are you going to do? Derrick asked.

Are you kidding me? I’m all over that cash like a hobo on a ham sandwich, she admitted.

Derrick suddenly became quiet as he stared down at his bowl of cereal.

So what do you think? Beth asked.

He didn’t answer; his mind was elsewhere.

Derrick, hey, what do you think I should do?

Oh… ah, well, I would probably wait a couple of days before going down to collect it, but yeah, I do agree I would take the lump sum in cash too, he finally answered.

Well, I’m going to call this morning and find out when I can go down, but I’m definitely going down today, said Beth.

Well, I would at least wait a day or two, Derrick said.

Why? asked Beth. I mean, wouldn’t you like to have your rent payment? she added.

Ah… Well, of course, he said as he got up from the table. Well, I gotta get ready for work. Anyway, congrats, Beth, he said as he left the kitchen in a hurry.

Thanks, said Beth, thinking it strange of him leaving so quickly.

Not long after, Tabby came into the kitchen. She didn’t say a word before pouring herself a cup of coffee, then sat down next to Beth.

I can’t believe the lousy night of sleep I got, all because of you and that damn winning ticket. Oh my god, she moaned with her raspy cigarette-swollen voice.

I’m sorry, said Beth. Hey, Tabby, if I can get the money today, can you watch Eli for me?

Oh, I don’t know, Beth. I mean, you gotta go all the way into duh city to get it, you gonna be a long time, Tabby said, looking panicked.

Oh please, Tabby? Please, just this last time, please? begged Beth.

Tabby sat at the table, burying her face in her hands as she shook her head. I don’t know why I let you talk me into these things, she said. "Fine, I’ll watch ’im, but you have to feed