human
Well, he remarked,
gpt
I'm gettin' so I don't need much sleep, I reckon, replied the bartender.
human
Did yore folks use a poker deck to cut yore teeth on?
gpt
My luck turned, an' Fisher happened to be th' one that got in th' way.
human
He says you play a lot like a feller he used to know.
gpt
That so? Who was he?
human
Tex Ewalt.
gpt
Well, I ought to, for me an' Tex played a lot together, some years back. Wonder what ever happened to Tex? He ain't been down this way lately, has he?
human
No. I never saw him. Fisher knew him. He says Tex was th' greatest poker player that ever lived.
gpt
I reckon he's right, replied Bill.
human
I'm plumb grateful to Tex. It ain't his fault that I don't play a better game. But I got an idea playin' like his has got to be born in a man. He ate silently for a moment.
gpt
Now that I'm spotted I reckon my poker playin' is over in here. Oh, well, I ain't complainin'. I can eat an' sleep here, an' find enough around town to keep me goin' for a little while, anyhow. Then I'll drift.
human
Unless, mebby, you play for th' house, suggested the bartender.
gpt
What kind of a game does that SV foreman play?
human
I never like to size a man up till I play with him, answered Bill.
gpt
I was sort of savin' him for myself, for he's got a fat roll. Now I reckon I'll have to let somebody else do th' brandin'.
human
Get him into a little game an' see how good he is, suggested the other, arising.
gpt
Goin' to leave you now. He turned away and then stopped suddenly, facing around again.
human
Huh! I near forgot. Th' boss wants to see you.
gpt
Who? Kane? What about?
human
He'll tell you that, I reckon.
gpt
All right. Tell him I'm in here.
human
I said th' _boss_ wants to see _you_.
gpt
Shore; I heard you.
human
People he wants to see go to him.
gpt
Oh, all right; why didn't you say so first off? Where is he?
human
Thorpe will show you th' way. Whatever th' boss says, don't you go on th' prod. If yore feelin's get hurt, don't relieve 'em till you get out of his sight.
gpt
I've played poker too long to act sudden,
human
I've been told Kane wants to see me. Here I am.
gpt
Straight ahead--to th' left--to th' right--straight ahead. Don't make no false moves after you open that door. Go ahead--push it open.