The House Always Wins

Chapter 25: The Bad Beat

In gambling, the term "the house always wins" is applied quite often, and in this case of Maxi's death, it did very much apply. Freddy and Eli were the house. Maxi was just a money-ridden gambler trying to make the big bucks in the name of crime. Maxi had lost due to a "bad beat", or losing because bad luck had cost him the win. Now Freddy, who is dying with a bullet in his stomach, started crawling towards Eli, leaving streaks of blood on the once shiny casino floor. Eli looked at Freddy and spoke. "This place used to be called the People's Casino. I think we should change the name to Death's door. Don't bother trying to survive. It's not worth it. You can't bring money to heaven, and lucky for you, you won't be going there. You can bring your money with you to hell and watch it burn. I left my life of Cajun crime, and this is what I get in return? I don't wanna have to go back to that. My old boss, he's as scary as scary can be. He's the kind of guy to pop you if a shipment doesn't go out. I get why you guys don't ship the good stuff. You want to take care of your people, but at the same time you poison them with manmade powders. Freddy, I see you are in pain. Let me help you out. Any last words?" Freddy mustered up the rest of his strength to lift his head and say, "Take over this place. Watch your back and give it to your boss. See you on the flip side." Freddy laid his head back down and sighed deeply before Eli let off two rounds into the back of Freddy's skull. Just then, sirens took place of the now silent casino. The front doors busted open and Eli was instructed to get down on his knees. He did as he was told and let the Police handcuff him. He got to his feet with his hands bound tightly together and told his arresting Officer words of regeneration. "Looks like it's time for new management." The Officer glared at him and took him to the Police car before asking if there was anyone else inside. Eli said no and got into the car. It took a couple of hours for the crime scene to be cleared up, and once the coroner had gone and the cars took off, that was it. The Lestima family was forever destroyed. Eli was right. It was time for new management, and it took a while, but it came. When it came, it rocked the whole east coast. It was not merely new management, but a new beginning. A few weeks went by and the city closed up shop on the casino once run by powerful men. As you will soon find out, it didn't stay closed for long.

*Sequel to "The House Always Wins" coming soon.