The Gambler's Fate: Johnny Luck

Confessions under Moonlight

The glow of the bar lights seemed to dim even more as I approached Lucy, her radiance overshadowing everything around us. Taking a deep breath, I summoned up my best opener, "Excuse me, darling, but I'm about to make a fool of myself. So, I'll beg your pardon in advance."

She looked up, her emerald eyes catching mine, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. A slow smile crept on her face, revealing perfect white teeth, a promising sign.

"I'll take the risk of listening," she replied with a soft chuckle, her voice a melodious tune.

I slid into the seat beside her, sensing her interest. "Have an affinity for cards, do you?" I asked, leaning in a bit.

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Games of chance have always intrigued me," she admitted. "And you, Mister...?"

"Ashford, John Ashford," I responded. "And you can say, games of chance intrigue me too."

Her gaze sharpened; a playful challenge evident. "So, you enjoy taking risk, Mr. Ashford?"

Shying off, "I guess I do," I say.

"Do you always win?"

With a sly grin, I replied, "Yes, ma'am. I never lose."

She leaned in closer, the scent of her perfume intoxicating. "And why, John Ashford, is that?"

Looking at her, I let the seconds pass between us. "Because luck has always been my lady, and I've learned to trust her implicitly."

Smiling, Lucy seemed even more intrigued, her fingers playing with the edge of her glass. "Luck is an elusive mistress. I don't hear tell of too many men that would ever trust her. Tell me, when did she first show favor upon you?"

I hesitated for a moment, the memories of my past creeping in. "Back at the orphanage," I began, my voice softening, "The headmaster had a cruel hand. Stealing a bit of extra bread or mush meant a vicious beating. I wasn't the biggest kid, but luck... luck was on my side."             Her eyes never left mine, urging me to continue. "There were a couple of instances where luck saved some of the older boys on account of me, I guess. Dave, a good guy if you didn't borrow his things without asking, stole some bread one night and got caught sure as rain. He was sure to take a beating, but just so happened, I rescued an old tomcat a few days before. I told the headmaster it was my cat that ate the bread. Seeing no sensible person would beat a cat for eating bread, well, Dave got away with it. After that, all the older boys took me under their wing. No one ever beat me or got an extra beating for stealing while I was around. They started saying they had 'Johnny luck' whenever something fortunate happened."

Lucy's smile grew wider. "Johnny luck? That's an intriguing notion."

A cool breeze from an open window nearby brushed against us, and I felt an inexplicable connection to this woman, this embodiment of beauty. There was something mystical about her, something that transcended the ordinary.

"Perhaps, Lucy," I whispered, feeling bolder, "you might be the reason I've been so fortunate all these years."

"Mr. Ashford, what would ever make you say that?"

"Because, until now, I hadn't known how unlucky I've been."

She raised an eyebrow, her smile enigmatic. "Perhaps, Mr. Ashford, perhaps." The night, once filled with the noise of the saloon, felt silent, the world narrowing down to just the two of us and the confessions shared under the moonlight.