Bernie the plumber (7)

Bernie felt his heart pumping. Finally, tonight, he was doing what he’d dreamed of so long ago, cutting loose.

It was the long moment before the wall.

He turned his cards over to double up. But as the dealer reached to deal, a hand came across the table and stopped him.

“You’re done tonight, Champ,” said the tall man in the pinstriped suit who’d grabbed the dealer’s arm. “Good night.”

“What?” said Bernie.

“Good night.”

The man put his hands on his hips. He was big – far bigger than Bernie. His neck was thick and his nose pushed off to the left.

“No,” said Bernie.

“Give him five,” the man told the dealer, pointing to the hundred dollar chips. “Then he’s gone.”

Two other men appeared behind him. They were even bigger than he was.

(more to come)