Chapter 03 -- Wild Card
I sat at my desk on Monday morning completely rested for the first time in quite a while. I had chaperoned Mindy's prom on Friday night and done nothing for the rest of the weekend. Life was better when I was at 100%. Having not had many full nights sleep since the divorce process started, the past two nights were just what the doctor ordered.
I was completely prepared for whatever was thrown at me today, or so I thought until the phone rang at my desk.
"Hello," I answered with inspired energy.
"You did something so right," Emma's voice came back over the phone. "I have never seen Leslie like this. I have known her a long time and this is the happiest I can remember seeing her."
"Really," I postured. "Glad to be of service."
"Of course you are stud," Emma giggled. "That's why we play this game. She is elated and wants to give something back to everyone in the game. So, as a reward, Leslie has setup a game within the game."
"You certainly have my attention," I admitted. "Tell me more."
"No can do," she rebuffed. "Be here immediately after work. See you then."
I very much anticipated the hang up and Emma did not disappoint. I knew as soon as I heard the phone click that this day would not pass fast enough. I had on a full suit and tie today as I had my annual performance review with my boss at 4pm. When that was over I would head straight to Leslie and Emma's office, but my mind was doing a circus act until then.
Why did Emma call? Was she involved in this "game within the game?" Why didn't Leslie call me herself? I was completely unable to focus.
My review went swimmingly, of course. It always does. I couldn't wait for it to be over so I could head out, though. The second I was out of my boss's office I grabbed my shit and headed out the door. I drove like Jeff Gordon over to their office. I was a dying to know what was coming.
I entered the suite and Penny was sitting behind her desk. I always enjoyed seeing her. I walked up to her desk and didn't even wait for her to look up at me.
"What is going on," I asked hurriedly.
"Calm down," she poised, though did not look up at me. "We are all going to find out together."
"We all," I said inquisitively.
"Yes, all of us," she repeated. When she looked up I noticed that her eyes did not have their normal life. There was even a trace of something bad. I had not seen that from Penny before.
"Are you ok," I asked softly.
"Yes," she responded flatly, grinding her teeth. "I am just jealous. I wish you would have taken me to my prom."
"Oh Penny," I sighed. "Don't be jealous. We will make our time count too."
"I know we will," she replied. "I hate feeling like this. I know the game, I love the game, but the prom thing just got to me. It hit home hard."
There was something there she was not telling me. I wondered when she would.
"Everybody in the conference room," Leslie yelled from her office.
Apparently today would not be the day I found out where Penny's prom hurt came from.
We proceeded into the conference room. Penny sat opposite me and Vivian sat next to her. I had hardly noticed her enter. She looked great as usual. Emma then entered and headed to the front of the table. She too looked very nice.
Leslie kept us waiting a moment before she emerged from her office and joined us. She sat next to Emma and addressed us all.
"So, Emma told me that she and our favorite man here played a great game of cards once," Leslie began. "He also mentioned it during my interview with him. For both of them to have such fond memories of it, it must have been pretty memorable. So I thought we would turn the game up a notch tonight."
"I like where this is going," I confirmed.
"Slow down," Leslie warned. "Based on his outstanding performance in his last assignment, he's earned you all a reward, or at least a chance at a reward."
"What does 'a chance at a reward' mean," Penny inquired.
"Here's the game," she continued. "The four of us are going to play Texas Hold'em. You will get two cards and then decide if you want to play or fold. If you decide to play, then you are on the hook for the hand. The winner of each hand will decide the article of clothing that each of the losers must surrender. The winner of the game is the last person with any cloths on. That winner will get a bonus. If I win, Emma will receive a bonus, which is hers to use if she ever chooses to. If Penny or Vivian wins, they will get to make their own assignment at some point later in the game. If you win, you will get a veto that you can use to veto an assignment later on in the game if you so choose. I think all of that is worth playing for, don't you?"
"Now that's a game," I exclaimed.
"Let's play," Penny echoed.
"So there is no worry about cheating, Emma will be our dealer," Leslie announced. "Here we go."
Emma dealt the first round of cards to each of us. I looked down at 9s-10d. Leslie stayed in, while Penny folded. I stayed in, as did Vivian. Emma turned the first 3 cards, 4d-8d-Jh. I had an open-ended straight draw and 3 to a flush, which was a good start. I was smiling. 4th street was Qc. I had the straight to the Queen. Mint. Leslie looked upset, but Vivian showed me nothing. The river was a miss for me, 6d.
Leslie perked up and turned over her two cards, 6c-6s. Three 6's. Nice hand, but she sunk back into her seat when I showed my straight. She growled at me playfully. I turned to Vivian, who was wearing an ear to ear smile as she threw down Ad-2d. The nut flush. I was shocked and surprised. Vivian laughed out loud as Emma collected the cards.
"Ok both of you lose your jackets," Vivian ordered.
I stood and placed my jacket on an empty chair while Leslie discarded hers to the floor. Emma shot out the second set of cards to everyone. This time I looked down at 3c-3d. Good start.
Leslie quickly stayed in, as did Penny. I did some small posturing before also staying in. Vivian took a moment to think, which I read as posturing also. I was slightly surprised when she folded her hand.
Emma looked around and turned the first 3 cards. 8s-3s-2c. Trip 3's, I felt like I was in the drivers seat. Penny had a very big smile on her face as well, while Leslie was tough for me to read. The turn came out and it was Jd. A blank for me but Penny was still smiling. What the hell could she have?
The river hit, 2d. That was perfect; I had a full house, 3's and 2's. I already started taking inventory of what the ladies were wearing and what they would be losing. Leslie sighed, but before she could show her cards the game started to change.
"Wait," Penny yelled. "Can I raise the stakes?"
"What do you mean," Leslie asked her.
"I want to raise the loss of clothing for this hand," Penny reveled. "Ok, you can raise," Leslie agreed. "But if we don't like the raise, we have the option to fold and only lose one article of clothing."
"Deal," Penny concurred. "I raise to 3 articles of clothing then."
Leslie looked at her and folded, leaving it up to me. No way was I folding a full house.
"I want to re-raise," I countered. "Let's say that the winner of the hand gets to decide what articles of clothing the loser actually keeps on."
"Interesting," Penny pondered. "Ok, you're on."
I flipped my two 3's onto the table, proud of my full house. My mind was already sorting out what Penny would be left to play in. All of that came crashing down when Penny smiled and showed 2s-2h. She had four of a kind and I was unbelievably beat. I was crushed. That was two tough beats in a row; I hoped that was not a sign of things to come today.
"Ok Leslie," Penny started, "You lose your blouse."
Leslie stood and removed her maroon blouse, depositing it on top of her jacket on the floor, her top now only covered by a sexy black lace bra. Then Penny turned her attention to me.
"I want to give you a fighting chance," she admitted. "So, I will leave you with your boxers and socks."
Penny giggled as I stood to strip. I removed my tie, followed by my shirt and t-shirt. I dropped them to a pile on the empty chair that held my jacket. Next I removed my shoes, followed by my pants. The chair looked full with most of my clothing piled upon it.
There were some cute little "cat" calls that the ladies let out as I sat back down in only my boxers and socks as Penny had directed. I had to laugh at myself as Emma dealt the next hand. I looked down at 2c-8h. I knew it was time for a break.
Leslie stayed in, so did Penny. I postured for a moment again before folding. Vivian laughed when I did and then she quickly stayed in. Emma dealt the flop, Ah-Kc-Jd. I was now very glad I folded and I watched the women as the remaining cards came out.
The turn was 6h and the river was 9d. The women all looked at each other, waiting to see if anyone was going to make a move.
"I want to raise," Vivian broke the silence. "Let's say, 2 articles of clothing for this hand."
"Let's say 3," Leslie countered. "I'm out," Penny declared.
"3 it is then," Vivian accepted.