Playing with power //// Frerard

The power play

Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac." - Henry Kissinger
The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse." - Edmund Burke, 1771

"I raise my bet."

"I'll match it."

There was a small scowl before Bert moved forward to take another card, placing it in his hand and looking across the large table to meet Gerard's eyes. His face was an expressionless mask, but a bead of sweat was rolling down his temple and his teeth were clearly clenched tight. Gerard gave an easy smile in response and moved to take his own card.

"Well?"

"I'll raise." Gerard shrugged, as if it really didn't matter, his voice tinged with an edge of glee and Bert swallowed thickly as he nodded.

"Matched." He croaked softly, Gerard trying not to laugh aloud. Bert was nervous and that much was obvious, he was well known for being the best at Poker but Gerard was better. Bert could bluff like the rest of them, but Gerard was never convinced. He could see through any poker face, win any game, and as Bert steadily lost more and more cash he began to get more and more panicky.

"Sure you don't wanna fold Bert?" Gerard asked innocently, taking another card as Bert scowled.

"I'm sure." He snapped, taking another for himself as his men stood behind his chair. None of them looked down at his cards, they never did. They kept their faces as still as stone, not so much as glancing at Bert's hand so they wouldn't ruin the game by giving any indication of how their boss was doing. Gerard's men on the other hand took great pleasure in leaning over his shoulder, looking at his hand and then smirking at Bert.

The poker match was supposed to be just a friendly game of heads up poker between two of the most notorious mafia bosses in New Jersey. But of course no men from different sides of anything can meet up and be amicable, and Gerard was enjoying himself immensely taking every last penny Bert owned.

The middle of the table was covered in cash, crisp green notes mingled with coins, the whole scene looking as if it should be in a movie. Behind him Gerard could hear his men whispering about needing more bags to put the money in, chuckling to themselves as they mused softly what the money would be spent on. Gerard chuckled softly himself and laid his cards down when the time came to reveal them, Bert going pale as he put down his own cards.

"Well, looks like I win again." Gerard smirked, taking his cards and putting them neatly onto the stack at the side of the table. Bert said nothing as he continued to look mortified, staring in horror as Gerard's men moved forward to scrape all the money off the table. "We should play again sometime," Gerard grinned as he stretched, his bones clicking. "It was a pleasure."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Bert gasped, springing to his feet as the money began to disappear into bags. "Let's play another round – whoever wins gets everything, including all the money from the previous rounds." He said quickly, Gerard pulling a cigarette from his pocket as he smirked at Bert.

"Another round? But you have nothing left to bet. Why would I gamble everything I've won just for the same amount?" He chuckled, lighting the cigarette and taking a long drag as Bert gazed about desperately. It was true he had no more money to gamble, he didn't even have enough cash for so much as a bus ticket home, and though he had some jobs lined up which would pay nicely Gerard wasn't one to take I.O.U's.

"I'll bet... I'll bet..." Bert sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair, thinking desperately for something that he could place on the table. He couldn't afford to lose all that money; he had to win it back. He just needed one more round. "I'll bet... Dammit don't you guys have any money!?" He finally snapped at his men, scowling deeply as they jumped and blushed, stuttering nervously.