“I’m not doing this for free, Ace.”
“Well,” frowned Kerry, “name your price. If it’s reasonable ...”
“Reasonable enough, I’d say,” drawled Briskin. “You need a regular piano-player, and I’m your man. Sign me on, but it has to be a permanent arrangement. I’m a reformed character, Ace.”
“Reformed character?” blinked Kerry.
“Put me on your payroll,” offered Briskin, “and I swear you’ll never find me at your card-tables. I’m through with gambling—and I mean forever. You want a piano-player? You’ve got a piano-player.”
And so began Gil Briskin’s first venture into honest employment. He held a brief council with Margo backstage and, a short time later, she was ready to begin her show. Lounging in their front-row seats, the Texans traded satisfied grins and agreed that the ex-tinhorn was keeping his word. Maybe the Downeys would prefer a saloon musician to a card-sharping tinhorn. It remained to be seen, but they would not be here to see it. Early on the morrow, they would quit Tyson City, never to return.
In the meantime, they reasoned that they had earned some relaxation, some entertainment and some attractive female company. So they stayed to watch Margo.
The Larry and Stretch Series by Marshall Grover
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