He’s not lying. Vic shot a drunk about eighteen months ago. He didn’t enjoy the intense police scrutiny and swears often and loudly that the next person he shoots is going to absolutely deserve it.

‘Come on, Vic. Keep my money, let them go. They’re too skinny to work here.’

‘Hey!’ says one of the girls.

The other pinches her friend’s bare arm. ‘Shut up, Valerie. The old bald guy is trying to help.’

This gets a big laugh from Vic and AJ. Even Brandi has a titter.

‘Make you a deal, doorman,’ grins Vic, in a good mood now. ‘You wanna save these two? You wanna free them from my evil clutches? I’ll give you chips for your wages and you try to win the ladies’ money back.’

I should have seen this coming. This is Vic’s answer to everything. He once suggested it to an IRS guy.

‘Not happening. I haven’t played cards since the army.’

Vic flaps his lips. ‘Everything is since the army with you. I haven’t played cards since the army, I haven’t defused a mine since the army, I haven’t killed anyone since the army.’ He winks at Brandi, going for the big laugh. ‘I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you’ve been one boring motherfucker since you quit that army.’

AJ cracks up. Brandi actually gives Vic a round of applause.

‘I’m not playing, Victor.’

‘Then stop breathing my air, doorman, and let me get on with my game.’

The smarter of the girls shoots me a look of skeletal desperation. She has caught a glimpse of her future and is beyond terrified.

I grind my teeth. Another situation I do not want.

‘Shit, Christ, bollocks. Okay, Vic. A couple of hands to get the girls clear. How far down are they?’

Vic’s grin is like a smear of butter. ‘Twelve hundred. Plus the vig.’

I pull out a chair violently. ‘Fuck your interest. They’ve been here half an hour.’

‘Touchy.’

‘Screw you, Jones,’ I say, settling into the chair. ‘You’re not my boss any more, so you don’t get the respect you never deserved. And put out that cigar. Smoke gets in my eyes and I can’t tell diamonds from hearts.’

Vic screws the fat stogie into an ashtray. ‘What’s the matter? You quit smoking when you left the army?’

AJ almost hacks up a lung.

‘You tell your cousin to stop laughing. He might crap a statue.’

A single squeak of laughter shoots from between Brandi’s ruby lips and flies around the room like a canary.

‘Are we playing or talking?’ says Vic, putting on his game face.

I snap my fingers at AJ. ‘Gimme some chips. Two grand mixed.’