The Acting Game?

“What are you going to do?” Said Sarah, placing the vodka in front of Lou, as she sipped her own.
Lou smiled and drank. “ I’ve got a blackjack heart.”
 
“So how will you play this?” Pushed Sarah.
 
“It’s an acting job. And the better I play the role, the more he believes me, the more money I make.”
 
“What about… what do you call him? .. your Boss.”
 
 “My agent or manager. He’s working towards a better future, for both of us.”
 
“Don’t you think it seems like,   Revenge?”
 
“A bit. But this could be the one, and with a manager I trust.
If I can make Charlie atone.”
 
“It seems dodgy to me. And I’m no good at lying.”
 
“It’s called acting Sarah.” Smiled Lou.
 
“How will you deal with Charlie? From the descriptions he could be vicious and maybe vindictive.”
 
“I can deal with Charlie. The key is making him believe in us and me. Then I can make him show me his hand, and knowing that, my hand can be better.”
 
“So what’s the ground like now?”
 
“I’m holding all the cards.” Lou smiled, till she saw Charlie at the bar, observing them both.

Quickly she raised her smile again. “Charlie!” Stepping over to him.

“How long have you been standing there?” She whispered, while hugging him.
 
“A few minutes.” He acknowledged by lifting his half full glass of beer.
 
“Why didn’t you joined us, as soon as you got here?”
 
“I was going to but I liked watching the conspiring and plotting you were playing.”
 
“That was just girls gossiping. Come and join us, and see there is no conspiracy.”
 
Lou said, playing her wild card, caressing Charlie’s hand and leading him over to the seats.
 
 (c) Rob McClellan