Honorary Poque: JJ Outer Banks

S1:E7 "Dead Calm"

Finding the gold was a miracle.

That night, the friends all stayed up together outside the Chateau, the promise of soon going full Kook prevented them from falling asleep.

Kal was curled up against JJ on the hammock as the six of them sat around the fire. Sarah and John B were giggling across from JJ and her, gaining them a fake gag from him as they suddenly got all lovey-dovey. Kal nudged him with a playful roll of her eyes, she for one was happy that she and JJ weren't the only couple in the group anymore.

"So..." Kal spoke up, grabbing everyone's attention. "We have to find a way to turn the gold into cash."

"Glad that you mention that." John B said as he clasped his hands in his lap, already having a plan in mind. "We'll melt down the bricks so they're not traceable and then tomorrow afternoon we'll tale it to the pawnshop... and after that, we'll play for JJ's restitution."

Kal had totally forgotten about that, JJ still owed $25,000 in restitution for what happened to Topper's boat. However, that was 'nothin' according to him now that he was close to becoming a millionaire.

"How many bars?" Sarah asked him.

"I don't know." John B shrugged as he looked over to her. "It was all muddy."

"Wait..." Kie interrupted them. "It takes a lot of heat to melt gold."

"She's right." Kal nodded in agreement. "We can't just make a bonfire and throw it in."

"What about a blowtorch," JJ suggested.

"I didn't realize you were a welder in your free time JJ," Pope asked sarcastically. "Where are we supposed to get a blowtorch?"

"I'm not." JJ shook his head. "But I can get us one."

"Can we figure out the rest in the morning?" Kie suddenly asked. "I don't know about you guys but running from a possessed old lady has me tired."

"I for one, second that." Kal raised her hand.

The friends laughed quietly, chorusing their good-nights to one another. Kal rolled over so that her head was resting on JJ's chest, letting his calming heartbeat lull her to sleep.

~~

The next morning, Kie had gotten Kal up early... well up earlier than the boys to start planning how to get the gold out of the well. Sarah, who had gone home last night, joined them in their planning on John B's porch.

"He said it looks something like this." Kie pointed to the drawing John B had made the girls.

"That's 50 feet down, and they're using a 100-feet rope." She motioned at the little cave where JB had found the gold.

"So what? The little wagon will go straight to the gold room." Kal asked as she looked at the poorly drawn map.

"Who drew this?" Sarah asked as she burst out laughing.

"Who do you think?" Kie smiled as she looked over to her friends.

The three looked over to John B who was with Pope trying to build something to help lower JB and the 'little wagon' down.

"Boys." Kal shook her head when she noticed them starting.

"Ladies." JJ greeted the three girls as he approached them. "This plan better work." He added as he dropped a couple of gold bars at their feet. "We can't pawn this if there's a giant wheat symbol on it."

Kie reached over and grabbed the blowtorch, "it's gonna work."

"Let's get this show on the road," Kal smirked.

The group ended up turning John B's fire pit into a melting station. Pope had brought out a small fire burner and put a steal tin over the flame. Sarah put the old inside and let Kie get to work.

Pope and Kal cheered Kie on as she lowered the bright blue flame to the gold. JJ whistled when he saw it slowly begin to melt. Sarah and John B were relaxing against a tree, his hand resting on her knee. Kal smiled lightly as she noticed them, she had to admit that they were cute together.

Once the gold had melted down fully, the friends left it to cool and harden as they planned for the pawnshop. They debated the price they were aiming for but agreed to see what the pawnshop would offer first. It was then decided that the talking would be left to Kal and JJ because he was the best liar and she was the best at talking herself and others out of difficult situations. Not to mention, Kal's vast experience with gold jewelry.

The group hopped in the van and headed on their way to the pawnshop.

"Hell of a job melting it down, Dr. Frankenstien." JJ comment as he looked at the chunk of gold in his hands.

"Like you could have done any better." Kie rolled her eyes as she defended herself.

"I could've done better," JJ claimed. "I took a welding class."

"When?" Kie challenged him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa- okay." Kal stepped in as John B pulled up outside the pawnshop. "Easy."

"Kal's right." John B nodded as he and the others got out of the van. "Chill out, okay?"

JJ held up the piece of gold as he said, "easy for you to say. You're not the one that has to pawn this piece of shit off." He grumbled as he walked towards the door. "How did I get this job anyway."

"One, you don't have to pawn that piece of shit off alone." Kal corrected JJ as the group followed him, "And two, you're the best liar and three, we got this." She smiled. "Piece of cake."

JJ shook his head, glancing at Kal over his shoulder with a smirk. "You're just saying that 'cause your a smooth talker."

"Maybe." Kal tauntingly raised her eyebrows as JJ pushed open the door.

Inside the pawnshop, the group was all business. The friends all dispersed as JJ and Kal walked over to the counter.

"Afternoon Ma'am." JJ nodded to the women behind the register

"Afternoon." She smiled wearily.

Gesturing to a sign above the door, JJ said, "I see you buy gold."

"That's what the sign says, don't it." The lady responded with a bit of an attitude.

"Well, I sure hope you buy a lot of it because I'm about to blow your mind," JJ told her as Kal internally rolled her eyes. Real smooth JJ. Real smooth.

"I ain't got much mind left to blow, so have at it." She retorted as JJ pulled out the hunk of gold.

"How about them gold apples?" He sassed as he placed it on the counter.

The lady chuckled slightly as she shook her head at the two of them. "That ain't real."

"That ain't real?" Kal raised her eyebrows. "I suggest you test it."

"Feel how heavy it is," JJ suggested with a sly smile.

The lady just looked at JJ and Kal as if they were crazy but she obliged. As soon as she picked up the gold, a wave of surprise flashed over her face. The lady reached for a magnifying glass and placed it under a light. "Spray-painted tungsten."

"Spray-painted tungsten?" JJ looked at her as he lightly crossed his arms. "Really? Okay."