The Gambler of Portobello Road

Jack_King

*Off of side street in Shibuya is a place known by the locals as "Portobello Road". It wasn't the streets actual name, but the people who set up stalls there called it that. Here, people could find various stalls selling various things, from jewellery and clothes that were said to be owned by royals and items said to be used by celebrities of ages past. In reality, however, they were nothing but cheap knockoffs or things given extravagant stories to sound important. At the end of the street, tucked away in a corner, is a stall surrounded b patrons, hoping to try their luck at winning big. Jack smirked as another hapless fool lost to him.* Ooh. You were close though. Want to play again, my friend? Man: Ha. Not a chance. I'll run out of money soon. Maybe tomorrow though Jack. Alright. Catch you around, Elijah. Don't forget to say hi to the missus. Elijah: And admit where I was when I'm supposed to be working? Not a chance. *Elijah, walks off laughing. Jack waves at him, chuckling before turning to the rest of the crowd.* Anyway, roll up. Roll up. Try your luck at my simple card game and win the pot of $300. First game is always free.

Space_Cat

*Space Cat was currently disguised as a man at the moment. He knew that the locals would probably freak out if they saw a humanoid cat. Seeing the stall, he investigated and watched. Apparently, this man was using a form of gambling to accrue money. Now confident enough from rewatching the matches, he pushed through the crowd to the front.* I can take you on.

Jack_King

Heh. Sure. First games free, as I said. Simply find the Joker out of the three cards on the table. It's a simple game, so I'm sure you understand it. So, whenever your ready, my friend, we can begin.

Space_Cat

*Analyzing... Card number 2.

Jack_King

You're too impatient, my friend. You gotta let me shuffle first. *With that said, Jack flips the cards face down and begins quickly switching the cards on the table around, flipping one of the cards in the air from time to time. Eventually, he puts the cards back in their respective locations and smiles at his opponent.* You can choose now. Left, right or middle?

Space_Cat

Same as I said, middle. *Analyzing for voice anomalies..*

Jack_King

Ooh. Unfortunate. *Jack flips up the middle card, revealing the Queen of Hearts. He then flips the right card, revealing the Ace of Spade, before flipping up the Joker on the left.* You were real close though. I invite ya to try again, but it will cost ya $5 if you do.

Space_Cat

Sure, why not. *Analyzing correct solution... devising strategy...done. *Enabling item tracker...

Space_Cat

*Space Cat hands over 5 dollars.

Jack_King

*Jack drops his smile for a second before taking the $5 and smirking.* Let's see if your luck can improve. I'm sure you've got this. *Jack shuffles the cards on the table again.* Left, right or middle, my friend?

Space_Cat

*Analyzing for Joker.... *No Joker found. ......

Space_Cat

Either you're a very good magician, or a conman. What's the deal?

Jack_King

That is a horrible accusation. I'm just a man with incredible luck. Now then. Left, Right or Middle?

Space_Cat

*Analyzing shuffle footage... Joker was placed in left position. Left.

Jack_King

*Jack flips over the left, once again revealing the Queen of Hearts. He then flips up the centre card, revealing the Joker.* I see what you're trying to do, but scanners, item trackers, seeing through cards and other magical or technological abilities don't work here, my friend. I know who's in this world, and I've prepared accordingly. *Jack smirks, scratching the "XVII" on his wrist.* So, play fair or go home. Your choice, buddy. *The crowd around them starts mumbling.* Man 1: Is Jack cheating? Man 2: No, I think that wierd guy is. He's just really well prepared. Man 1: Ha. Why am I not suprised? He's lucky and he's knowledgeable. Man 2: Yeah. I guess we can't expect anyless from the King of Portobello Road.

Space_Cat

Hmm? What do you mean? *Scanning for magical energies.. *Signal found.

Jack_King

Quite simply, I'm well prepared. Simple as that. You have to be in my line of work. Especially here, with dragons and wizards flyin around. Ya get me, right? So. You wanna play fairly this time?

Space_Cat

I think i've found my answer. You really are a magician. *Space Cat hands over another 5 dollars, and secretly draws his zapper under the table.

Jack_King

Magician? Nah, I ain't one of those. I just come prepared. *Jack starts shuffling the cards on the table again.* So then, friend. Left, Right or Middle?

Space_Cat

*Space_Cat summons Tesla in the background and uses a very weak Mapsi to knock out everyone in the crowd.

Jack_King

*Jack reacts in suprise.* Huh?! H-Hey! What's goin on?!

Space_Cat

Drop the act, King of Portabello Road. Flip over the cards.

Jack_King

If you insist. *Jack flips over the cards: Queen of Hearts, Joker, Ace of Spades." Problem officer?

Space_Cat

Hmm... *Analyzing for energy source... *Energy source found. Location: Person. (So it's on him...) Pull up your sleeves.

Jack_King

I got nothing up my sleeves. *With a smirk, Jack rolls up his sleeves, revealing nothing but skin and the full mark of the tattoo he had been scratching at earlier.* Looking for somethin, are we?

Space_Cat

*The mark immediately draws attention. *Scanning symbol... database match. *XVII, 17. Symbol of luck. Type: Enchanted Numeral. Normally used by advanced magician users.

Jack_King

H-Huh? That thing. No, it's just a tattoo I got when I was drunk a while back. Itches like a motherfucker at times. I think the needle they used for it was bad. That's really all it is.

Space_Cat

*Space Cat immediately fires his blaster at the mark on Jack's wrist.

Jack_King

Woah! *A small glow comes from Jacks mark as he flips backwards, kicking off his stall and landing a few feet behind Space Cat.* Careful with that thing.

Alex_Liang

Alex was walking by, when he saw the stall. He decided to put on a mask and walk over to the stall.

Space_Cat

I thought so. That should have reversed the whole thing. *Space Cat brings the deck of cards over, careful not to step on all of the knocked out people in the crowd. Shuffle it.

Alex_Liang

"what happened to these people?" Alex was starting to wonder who these people were

Jack_King

Don't know what this'll proove, but whatever. *Jack starts shuffling the deck of cards. A keen observer may notice that the mark on Jack's wrist has changed from "XVII" to "0"*

Space_Cat

I choose the middle card.

Jack_King

*Jack reveals the Queen of Hearts with a smirk.* That'll be $5, by the way.

Space_Cat

I see... you still have countermeasures. *Scanning for energy source on person.. *More found. Searching for location... I would like to study your face.

Jack_King

Sorry, I don't go for guys. *Jack smirks.*

Space_Cat

*Something in his eye...

Jack_King

You know, you could just ask?

Space_Cat

*Analyzation complete. 132 marks of luck. 49 marks manual. 83 passive. So, Mr. King. You say you aren't a magician? Lying isn't very becoming, but it's common practice for a gambler as you. You're both a con man and a magician.

Space_Cat

Ok, wise guy. I'm going to let you go now, but im not gonna let you con anymore people out of their money. This operation is shut down. *Space Cat leaves the vicinity.*

Jack_King

I am neither a magician nor a dishonest con man. I'm just very lucky. I have never hidden that fact. I don't lie, friend. I just don't tell the whole truth. Same could be said for everyone here in Portobello Road, really. *Jack chuckles as he heads back to his stall and resets up.* Next challenger, please?

(edited by Jack_King)

Origin_Alice

Alice would be walking by as she sees the people on the ground unconscious. She would then see Jack at his stall advertising his game and the prize money. She would ignore the people on the ground and walk over to Jack. Asking herself how much candy she could buy with 300 dollars. "I shall try." she said with a smile