Washingdad

American Tavern

General George Washington was the leader of a revolution. He had fought wars, countless battles managed to survive this long in this God forsaken world. But by God, Alexander would be the death of him.

He had turned is back for a few moments to arrange there things to be delivered to the camp. When he turned back, Alexander was no where to be seen. Fate would have it that way, of course. He  kept his cool and searched after him. He couldn't simply ask people around if they had seen him. He didn't want to be cynical but spreading word that a small child worth the time of a general was missing, wasnt the best of moves.

He was passing block after block and not finding a trace. He was going to backtrack when the sound of a fight came from a nearby tavern. Again, he didnt want to be cynical...but this was Alexander we're talking about.

The general opened the door to men crowding a table, lots of yelling and one small frame ontop of said table with his arguing face on. God help me, he thought.

AlexPOV

Wow. So Americans weren't the begging type. They were the lying, cheating type. Alright.

In the middle of the room one table specifically seemed heated, perfect. As I walked close I noticed one drunk in particular had loose pockets, I have sticky fingers, what a lovely combination. I picked about ten cents.

I approached the table as a broad shouldered, clearly intoxicated man played a winning hand. The competition through their cards down and walked off. I walked up and placed a penny down. "Next game," I said.

The man scrutinized me, "Run on home to Mommy, kid." 

"Scared?" Pride. Most men's failing trait.

"I cant be beat kid." 

"I suppose not playing would mean you're not loosing, good strategy."

"Did you miss the last three games, I'm cleaning up."

"I regretfully missed thoughs alleged games, you'll have to prove it again." Without missing a beat I grabbed the deck and the cards surrounding the table. I started to shuffle and looked up to him, "Oh. How thoughtless of me," I leaned forward with false sympathy, "Can you afford this game?" 

"Why you little BRAT! I have more wthen enough!" Ah pride, a beautiful thing.

I deeled the cards out while thinking, confidence got me in, but if I want to win I need to play my age. He was looking for a pocket face, I offered a worried-I dont know what's happening- face. He raised the bet, I nervously payed forth but ten cents cant go far. So I called. Not bad, a flush. But I had four sixes.

"NO!"

I pulled the winnings toward me, "Yes."

"You're a cheat!" He stood up. 

"I'm a What?" I am a lot of things but a cheat? Oh I don't think so.

"A dirty. Rotten. Cheat. I want my money back." 

I'm not having this. I grabbed a mug out of a near bystander and through it with my malnourished eleven year old strength right to his face.

In hind sight, not my best idea.

3rdPOV

Alexander jumped up on the table as chaos broke around him. The man was in outrage and so was Alex.

"How dare-"

"No, how dare yo-"

A loud whistle rang out in the bar. The gruff man and small boy, along with the rest of the bar patrons turned to the source. None other than General George Washington himself. God help me, Alexander thought.

The General spoke first, "What is going on?"

The man spoke up, "General Washington, I was just about to teach this boy here a lesson. Nothing to concern yourself with." Alexander glared at the man and looked ready to pounce before the General spoke up again.

"And what lesson would that be," he walked toward the table, the crowd splitting like the red sea.

"He's a cheat." Alex opens his mouth to argue but Mr. Washington held up and hand to him.

"And why is a young boy playing these kinds of games to begin with?"

"Well-"

"You know what? I dont want an answer. From you." The General sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, "Come along Alexander." The boy jumped down with his winnings secure in his pocket.

"This runts yours?!" 

"If by runt you mean this child, then yes. Now I will take him with me and leave, you will clen yourself up and then contemplate the life choices that lead you to a bar fight with a child."

He turned and left without another word, Alex in close tow behind him. Alex would be a lot more smug if he wasnt terrified.