Drama at the Cheat! Table
Taking with them a few thousand neopoints and a backpack full of food, the
trio left for Neopia City that very evening, after saying a quick goodbye to
their friends and family. The journey to the suburbs took a few hours by wing,
and they landed in a small cul-de-sac that joined onto the main motorway, leading
into the City Centre. It was a quaint little spring villa, with large gardens
and scenic green estates like fields of daisies and dandelions.
Swifty took in a big breath of sweet suburban air. "Smell that? That's the
smell of freedom, of liberation, of success..."
Angel sniffed the air and screwed up her nose. "Success smells like three burger
barns and a tire yard."
"True," sighed Swifty, "but at least this is where all the action is. Don't
be put off by outward appearances - anyone who is anyone comes here, so it cannot
be all bad."
They padded along the side of the motorway. All around them cars and jeeps
tooted their horns, deafening them. One even drove across the pavement to avoid
the traffic jam, almost hitting Saf and knocking her off her feet. "I was NOWHERE
NEAR you!" she returned defiantly, shaking the dust from her fur. "What a welcome
wagon!"
"Oh well, at least we know we're nearly there."
"Why's that?"
Angel indicated towards the sky. A large black, dirty cloud had formed since
daylight, and Saf presumed they hadn't seen it on the wing, as it blended exactly
with the darkness of the night sky. "Smog," she muttered, "I've only ever read
about it in books. Never suspected it might still exist." The drivers of the
cars seemed indifferent to the murky cloud. Daily life in the city.
Swifty saw the frightened look on Angel's face, feeling quite protective of
her. "Don't worry. It'll be fine once we get into Neopia Central.
***
What not very many people know is that Neopia Central - the green and summery
area of the City - is actually nowhere near the City Centre. Swifty explained
that since the City became more industrialised, it succumbed to urban sprawl:
this means that there was so much industry, the borders of the City had to be
stretched to contain them. The city authorities kept Neopia Central, being the
most picturesque area, as the centre for the arts, but it needs to be kept as
far away from the City Centre as possible to avoid being polluted too. City
Centre is often described as the shantytown of Neopia. It is here where you
find such living quarters that could rival Cockroach Towers and Fleapit Motel,
just to paint a 'jolly' picture.
"Luckily we don't have to stay there for very long," said Swifty, reassuringly,
"and there's no one living there: it's a health risk to stay there over two
days. But we just have to visit the West End of the City Centre as we're passing
through. That's where all the stars hang out. There are casinos, clubs, shows,
studios... basically, everything! We'll spend the night there and leave for
Neopia Central in the morning."
"Wow!" exclaimed Saf, "We can meet all the celebs there!"
"And it would be quite good to see a show. They're world famous," agreed Angel.
"Great! We'll take the long way and fly around the perimeter. Better not fly
through the smog cloud. It's just..." a car whizzed past, throwing a clod of
mud into Swifty's face, "... not safe."
***
Flying round Neopia City Centre, also know as the Industrial District, Swifty,
Angel and Saf could see a stark contrast with everything they'd ever known.
The place was a dump, pure and simple. It was so nightmarish, I don't exaggerate
in saying Steven King or Edgar Allan Poe could have created it. The streets
were lined with factory workers, bustling around, desperate to escape back home
to their families. Thick black sludge covered the roads, clogging up wheels
of any motors that passed through. There was an absolutely foul stench in the
air. And that was just on the perimeter.
They flew round the corner and... wow! The West End seemed to transform the
City. All the bright lights, the booming music, the happy pleasure-seekers rushing
round the clubs and theatres, like bees around a honey pot!!
Swifty sought this opportunity to take charge: "I think we should find a place
to stay for the night first. There's only one place in this town, though. The
Royal Neopian." The girls agreed.
The streets seemed to twist and turn in every direction, so the three travellers
just followed the sound of happy laughter and music. All around people were
charging past: a Tonu even pushed Swifty into a big red phone box at one point.
Saf was in heaven. There were stars everywhere: Capara, the Highland Chia, Flaming
Meerca... all of them being mobbed by fans desperate for autographs. Saf didn't
join them, though - just to see them was enough for her.
They turned round a corner and almost bumped into an enormous Starry Lupe.
"Watch it!" he growled at them.
"Oh gosh, we're so sorry, sir," Angel apologised quickly. The Lupe gave a disgruntled
mumble and continued to stand guard at the gate.
Saf tugged at his trouser leg. "Excuse me, sir. Could you help us please? We're
looking for the The Royal Neopian. You couldn't tell us where it is, could you?"
The Lupe bouncer chuckled. "You're looking at it, kid."
All three friends looked up at the same time. Above the enormous iron gates
in 10 foot-high letters were the words THE ROYAL NEOPIAN. "They couldn't have
made it more obvious, could they?" blushed Saf. The Aisha ran ahead and got
to the reception before the Eyries. She yelled for attention.
"HEY! IS ANYONE THERE? HELLO?"
An elderly-looking, dozy Cloud Kau wearing a horrendous pleated dress and coke-bottle
specs lifted her head for a second, then shrugged and continued busying herself
in the file cabinet. Saf continued to jump up and scream at her. Swifty and
Angel walked through the revolving doors and marvelled at the stylish, aristocratic
architecture. Seeing Saf desperately trying to reach the desk, they wandered
over. The Kau stirred and croaked, "Welcome to The Royal Neopian, dears. Was
one of you two talking to me?"
Angel snickered and bent down, grabbing Saf by the scruff of her neck in her
beak, and resting her gently on the table. "Finally," she muttered, "what I
was trying to ask you is 'do you have any rooms free?' "
*A large figure in a trench coat coughed suddenly, but didn't take its eyes
away from its newspaper*
The Kau shook her in dismay. "Sorry. You often have to book at least three
weeks in advance. We're fully booked."
"Rats," growled Swifty, "we've got nowhere to stay. We're gonna have to camp
outside tonight."
The Receptionist looked in deep thought for a moment, then said, "Well, there
is one way. You recognise that gentleman over there?" She signalled towards
a very large Yellow Eyrie. He was wearing a heavy medallion and strutting his
stuff, dancing even to the old fifties music playing down the hall!
"Who doesn't? That's Branston. He's a famous Cheat! player."
"Correct. He owns a whole floor in this hotel, all luxury suites. He's also
a betting man and practically lives in the casino next door. It's been known
for him to rent out one of his rooms to a player who can beat him at Cheat!
- you might want to try your luck out on him."
"Hey, thanks!" grinned Swifty.
Angel and Saf (riding on Angel's head, after having jumped from the desk landed
on the carpet with a thump) trotted after him. "I didn't know you could play
Cheat!, Swifty."
"I know a few moves."
***
They wandered straight into the casino, let in through the back by the elderly
Kau. Everyone looked like total millionaires, and the ones who didn't have any
money were being chucked out by the large starry Lupe from the gate. The trio
shielded their faces as they walked by him. Branston wasn't very hard to find:
just follow the swarm of gamblers crowding round the Cheat! table.
Branston had just finished beating his latest victim, a small Kacheek, who
ran crying from the casino. Two flashy female show-Gelerts sat on wither side
of him, massaging his shoulders. "Any more suckers?" he gloated.
Swifty approached the table, flanked by Angel and Saf. "I don't know about
suckers, but I'll play you."
Branston glared at the new opponent, then at his accomplices. He laughed out
loud. "Alright. I'll give you a run for your money."
"No money. Not yet."
"You chicken? Buck buck buckawk!" His fans laughed. Swifty fluffed his feathers
defensively.
"No way. I'll have to see if you're worth betting against first." Angel snickered.
Branston gave her a look.
"Okay. We'll have two friendlies. After that, we'll bet."
"You're on."
***
During their first match, Branston and Swifty were quite equally matched. There
were two other players, a Tyrannian Mynci and Shadow Peophin, who weren't exactly
up to scratch. By the end they were left with all the cards, and the Eyries
both had only three cards apiece. Swifty took the turn: "Three 10s." His claws
extended as he said it.
Branston noticed this and made eye contact with him. He glared evilly, and
said slowly, "Cheat."
"You sure? That's a lot of cards on the table."
"Yeah. Sure I'm sure."
Swifty sighed and turned over the last three cards. Two 10s... and a 3. Branston
beamed arrogantly, and sneered, "Round two?"
***
Round two went almost the same way. The Mynci ran off in a huff, so the Peophin
invited one of her friends to play: a Purple Zafara. Swifty and Branston fought
more viciously than before. On the last two cards, Swifty said, cautiously,
"Two 8s."
Branston immediately yelled, "Cheat!"
He was right. There was an 8... and a 2 on the table. His claws had given
him away again. Angel clicked her beak nervously. Saf hid her face in her paws:
the next round was crunch time. A large crowd was gathering round the Cheat!
table, crowding round not only Branston but Swifty as well.
Branston dealt the cards again. But before starting the game, he leaned across
the table had glared at Swifty.
"You've got a cute girlfriend there, junior," he snarled, jealously.
"Who? Saf?"
"No, not the Aisha. The Eyriess. Angel."
Swifty looked embarrassed. "She's not my girlfriend. She's just a friend. Really."
Branston looked happier than before. He raised his voice deliberately, a devious
glimmer in his eyes. "Round three. The betting round. What do you have for me?"
The Peophin and Zafara both put large bags of neopoints on the table. Swifty
checked the rucksack. There wasn't enough to qualify. Branston slapped the table
impatiently, saying, "We're waiting."
"Erm... I'm kinda skint."
Branston's eyes gleamed brighter than ever; "No problem, kid. I'll settle for
a date with blue wings over there any day." He winked at Angel.
Angel gagged in disgust. "You can't do that! I'm not an item you can just bet
away!"
"I already have, sweetheart!" he grinned, pushing the entire pile of his winnings
onto the table.
Angel glowered at him. "You must be so desperate."
"No sale, Branston," Swifty scowled.
"Okay, okay, have it your way. Pick you up at seven, Angel?"
"What?"
"I've already made my offer. This is a betting match, and you've already looked
at your cards. Refusing the offer is the same as dropping out in this game,
which means you refuse, you lose: and I get your lady-friend." Swifty growled
threateningly. It barely phased Branston. "Oh, what's wrong, junior? I thought
you were just friends."
Swifty flexed his muscles. A few gamblers stepped back warily, but Angel put
her paw on her friend's shoulder before he could do anything. She whispered
in his ear, "It's okay, Swifty. Just try your best."
He sighed and put the sack of money on the table, muttering, "Alright. Just
as long as you grant us our request. When--"
"If I lose--"
"--no, when you lose, you give up three of your best luxury suites to us. We
will stay in them tonight, but I don't want them to be hoarded any longer. When
we've finished with them, they'll be donated straight back to the hotel, for
other Neopians to enjoy. You understand?"
Branston thought about it for a while, then smiled wickedly, "Cappiche. And
to top, I'll throw in a couple of tickets too. Three tickets for the Catacomb
Theatre to see Jazzmosis tomorrow night."
"Let's go."
The game seemed to last for ages. By the end, the Peophin and Zafara had most
of the cards. They knew they were out. Branston had only two cards. Swifty had
four. It was Swifty's turn. He put all four cards on the table, and announced,
"Four aces." His claws lengthened again, as Branston suspected they would. Swifty
was in a rut, and the only thing he could do to stand a chance at winning was
cheat, so he thought.
Branston laughed, relishing the moment. "Cheat!" he yelled. "Cheat! Cheat!
Cheat! I'll take my winnings, thank you very much."
"You sure about that?"
"Positive," he grinned.
Swifty smiled slyly. He uncovered the cards. FOUR ACES.
Branston's face dropped like a lead weight. "What the?! How can you... how
did you do that? You're just an amateur. And a poor one, at that!" The show-Gelerts
huffed and walked away, their toffee-noses stuck up in the air.
Angel, relieved at being saved from the date from hell, gave Swifty an affectionate
hug. She then let go of him, embarrassed at what she was doing, and blushed
madly. Swifty blushed too.
Saf was doubled over in laughter. Swifty was the overall winner! Branston still
looked shocked, and was about to ask Swifty for a rematch, but the malicious
glare he received told him that there was no chance of that happening. He bolted
towards the gents in shame, hiding from the booing and hooting crowds.
The three friends spent the next few minutes shaking hands and chatting, before
escaping to their rooms for a private chat. They rushed into the hall and burst
into fits of laughter!
"That was amazing," Saf exclaimed, wiping away a tear.
"What did I say? I know a few moves... that just so happened to be the right
moves!"
"How're we gonna celebrate? Your call, Swifty."
The Eyrie grinned cheekily. "How about we break the news to the receptionist
Kau, and then have an early night. We've got a great day ahead of us tomorrow."
He whipped out the three tickets from his rucksack.
Angel beamed. "Oh aye, I forgot about those. Jazzmosis are fantastic--they're
my favourite band."
"And before that we can go on a shopping spree for clothes--everyone back at
the Clan, of course," chipped in Saf.
"Hey, don't forget why we're here in the first place. Y'know, the thing in
the Swamp?"
Saf slapped her forehead. "Oh, duh. Of course. I forgot. Well, I haven't seen
anything unusual yet." The other two shrugged.
***
Branston, in the meantime, had retreated to the bathroom, and was washing his
face in the sink. A small robot appeared from nowhere, bleeping. Branston stopped
and patted its head. He is oblivious to a figure standing in the shadows. He
noticed it, a hood completely covering its head, and started.
"Oh my goodness, you gave me a shock."
The figure murmured something, snarling
"Look, I know we had a deal, but he tricked me from the start. That Eyrie was
just too smart for me."
The figure grunted.
"They took my three most comfortable suites and the tickets."
It snarled again.
"I really shouldn't have said that. You won't do anything horrible to them,
will you? As far as I know, they don't deserve it."
Then Spectre chuckled deviously, and, without answering, glided out the room,
heading towards the luxury quarters.
To be continued... | 
