15. A Rich Man's Scam

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

I thought that we would haggle for some things needed to make a sandwich or maybe eat in the inn where they serve food for its occupants free of charge. I didnt think we would go to a pub. Yet, there I was, the bag with the clothes in it tucked under my chair as I patiently waited for Christopher to come back from the restroom.

He took a while and in the meantime, a waitress came up to me twice to ask what I wanted. I told her in those two times that my husband was in the restroom. Apparently she didnt get the hint that I was dragged here and therefore didnt know what to order, instead giving me an eyeroll.

You would be surprised when I tell you that this was a well established pub in the long run. I didn't think we would find one, but I learned quick that there was a pub around just about every corner.

The pub itself was full of people that came from some sort of fortune or had found a way to make some. There werent any people in rags, but quite a lot of people with newly bought top hats.

The entire building was clean, at least. There was a bar with a clean counter and bowls of nuts and other foods on top, free for anyone to grab from. I didn't think it was necessarily sanitary, but it was an improvement from the last pub I was in.

"Did you order?" Christopher said sitting down. I looked at him and shook my head.

"I dont know what to order," I said. "I also dont know why we're here. Dont we have to be there early?"

"Not until noon."

"That's still-"

"Welcome. What will it be?" said the waitress, coming by again. Christopher put on his most charming smile.

"Good evening, miss. Uh, I think we'll have the regular. Draft is fine."

"Draft it is," she said walking away. When she was gone, I debated whether it was too late to grab Christopher and run before he ended up wasting the rest of our money, but the action of Christopher picking up my hand and kissing the back of it pulled me back to reality.

"What was that for?" I said, offended and pulling my hand away. I was blushing, despite what I wanted to think.

"Those men are looking at us," he said, still looking at me with a smile. I tried to sneak a peek behind him only to meet eyes with two gentlemen at the bar, wine glasses in their hands. They got up from their seats.

"They're coming over. What do we do?"

"Dont be nervous. I'll deal with this."

"Good evening," said one of the men, the fat one with a steak away from having a pork belly. "I'd like to invite the two of you to drink with us, is that alright?"

"Well, fellas, as you can see, my wife and I are having a special moment one shared only between man and wife," said Christopher, grabbing my hand again.

"Yes, I see," said the tall one said, as if just realizing it. "And we'd hate to break such a lovely couple apart, but I think youd like to hear what I'm about to say."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

Pork Belly leaned in closer, his wine glass leaning with him, threatening to spill. "How about a little game?"

"Like Old Maid?" I suddenly said, reminiscing on the card game I recently learned to play.

"No, no, sweetheart. A much...more intense game. I'm sure your husband might me more fond this one."

"Whoa whoa, fellas. I'm happily married," said Christopher, glancing at me and winking. He turned back to the men. "However, I'd very much like to hear what this game is."

The two shared a smile. "Why, all you have to do is pick between two men and tell us which one you believe will win in a fight. A small man with a killer right hook or a larger man who is light on his feet."

I looked at Christopher who had a growing smile forming on his lips. I sensed trouble.

"Is it possible to see these men in order to make a decision?"

"Of course," said Tall Man, standing up. Pork Belly did too, grabbing Christopher's shoulder and leading him away. I was quick to follow, grabbing the bag from beneath my chair.

They led us to the back of the pub where the restrooms were. However, instead of going into one of the rooms, there was a third door that could easily be mistaken for a supply closet. Pork Belly opened it and I was surprised to find that it was a back door, leading out to a private alleyway and into the night.

There was a fight going on between two men, sweaty and shirtless as they battled it out. Other men were gathered around them in a circle, shouting and cheering. Some women were there too, gripping men's arms or watching with great intensity.

"Christopher," I whispered, grabbing his arm. "We shouldnt be here. We have to be there tomorrow at noon. We should leave and get back to the inn."

"Darling, it is only for a bit. We can stay for a little, dont you think?"

With Pork Belly still holding onto his shoulder, he turned and said to me, "It'll be alright, deary. Go back inside! Have a drink! Your little darling is safe with us!"

"No, I think I'll stay, thank you," I said snarkingly.

It didnt seem to bother him, though. "Suit yourself." He turned back to Christopher.

It was Tall Man's turn to speak. "Now that you had your look, which one will it be?"

Christopher gave a grand old laugh. "You drive a hard bargain. Why, I'll go with hooky there. I always like a good underdog."

"Good man!" said Tall Man. "How much are ye willing to bet?"

"Hmm, well, let's see," said Christopher, fumbling for his purse. He opened it up and sighed. "I'm a little on the light side, fellas, but here you are." He took out a bill which Pork Belly swiped away instantly.

"Excellent! Enjoy the fight." He patted Christopher's back and he and Tall Man strutted away as if proud they were actually of service for the greater good.

"We really shouldnt be here. You just spent money we may need. Arent you the least bit worried?" I pleaded. I was gripping at his sleeve in an attempt to pull him from getting closer to the fight.

"Relax. Trust me."

"With what? You spent good money! We shouldnt be here!"

He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. He kissed the side of my head and let his lips linger for a moment, mumbling, "Relax, darling. You worry too much," before pulling away. He dragged us closer to the fight, still holding my waist as if to keep me in place.

Soon, we were a part of the crowd itching for a good fight in the chance to earn our money back and maybe more. I wasnt so keen on gambling on this, however, not when we were now flat broke from just this fight alone. Yet, I stood there, defenseless, watching men bleed.

Pork Belly wasnt lying when he said the larger man was light on his feet. He was quick with his movement and was able to dodge most of the smaller man's punches. There were many men that roared over him.

In counter, as if to make up for his size, the smaller man's jabs that connected to his opponents face were also impressive. His opponent's head turned almost all the way around with such a furious hit.

The two circled each other. It was just a matter of time to see who it would be to hit again. It was the smaller one, striking and going for the neck. The larger one bounced out of the way just in time, but only to be met with the smaller one's left fist in the gut. It barely made a difference to the larger one, though.

The larger one, with a long grunt, aimed for the smaller one's chest, causing the wind to be knocked out of him. He fell to the ground. Another man, dressed fully came to the middle, shouting as he counted.

"One!"

The crowd shouted even louder and it was a miracle the police had yet to be called.

"Two!" The small man was up again, staggering. He used his dirty arm to wipe sweat from his brow before charging at his opponent with all the force he could muster. He landed a powerful jab that connected with the larger one's nose. It wasnt enough to make him fall down, but it was a enough for him to totter back a few steps , bleeding, leaving an opening for the smaller one.

The punches came flying, first in the gut, then in the side, and then again in the face. The crowd was roaring, mixed emotions flying like the embers from a bonfire.

I was so caught up in what was happening that I didnt even notice Christopher gone, but my attention was turned back to the fight when the larger man made a quick recovery. He blocked the upcoming punches and in surprise, gave a lower cut to the stomach, surely severely injuring the small man who tumbled over his stomach in pain.

He stayed like that for about a second more, a vein popping out of his forehead in an attempt to stand up straight. He made a miraculous recovery. He dragged his limp body over to the big lug and aimed again for the nose, only to have his arm hit out of the way.

With this, the smaller one gave all his might into punching the larger one's stomach, feeding him back the poison he had received from before. He kept on with those same punches, all in the same place. Punch after punch after punch. Over and over and over again.

An arm grabbed me and I nearly threw my own punch before I saw who it was. "Come on, darling. I believe it's time to go now," he whispered.

"Wait. I wanna see how it ends-"

"I'll save you the ending, darling. It ends in a draw, a lovely rich man scam." He had his arm around my waist again, dragging me yet again, this time back to the door we came out from.

He opened the door and ushered me inside, looking back for a moment before following me and quietly shutting the door. Once we made it to the common area of the pub, he pulled out a bill from an unknown place and slapped it on the counter of the bar, right in front of our waitress, telling her to have a nice night before returning back to my side.

Next thing I knew, we were out the front door and walking to where I could only guess was back to the inn. Christopher tore off his coat and wrapped it around me.

"What was that all about?" I asked, knitting my brows in confusion.

Christopher gave an easy smile and pulled out a purse from his pocket, a different one from his own, a heavier one.

"Like taking candy from a baby," he said.

"How did-"

"Cruel really, how you seem to not know me."

"Wont they catch us?"

"Catch up to a couple of pirates? Never."




You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net