Dealing

What follows is a meh bit of fiction. I'm thinking about re-working the concept into a short film.

The man in the anachronistic top-hat smiles your direction. “What would you say if I told you that life was just like a deck of cards?” He says. He pulls 52 bicycles from his vest pocket. “Each card is another life event. You only get 52, just like everybody else.”

“But,” you say, “That’s not now life works. Some people die before others.”

“Ah, but they’d reached their 52 before you had.” He begins to shuffle the cards on the table in front of him.

“Okay,” You say, “I’ll play along.”

“That’s the thing though,” He says, “you haven’t a choice, really. Of all the distractions at this carnival, mine is the only one where the outcome is certain.”

“You do card tricks then?”

“In a way.” He slams the deck on the table in front of you. “If you would, my good sir.”

You cut the deck but before you let go of the cards, he grabs your wrist.

“Just a moment.” He turns your hand over, revealing the bottom card. “The eight of clubs. You have lived a hectic and busy life.”

“Perhaps.” You say. That could be true of anyone.

He puts your hand down and re-shuffles the deck. He begins dealing. The first card is the king of diamonds. The old man on his knees, the axe about to fall. “Oh, young man, your life began in turmoil. Your poor father.”

Immediately, the shiver goes up your spine.

The man smiles. He continues dealing. Seven of diamonds, ace of spades. “But good fortune came soon after.” Seven of clubs, nine of diamonds, five of hearts, two of diamonds. “Your mother and yourself. You lived a pleasant life after his death.” Three of diamonds, queen of spades. “Your mother especially.” Eight of diamonds, nine of hearts, five of spades, six of clubs. “But then, you had to flee, you had to run.” Five of diamonds, queen of diamonds. “Another woman, a grandmother? A lover?” Jack of diamonds. “You. Alone.”

“Sir,” you say, “I would like to take my leave.”

“That’s nice.” He deals. Jack of spades. “Tragedy followed by good fortune seems to run in your family.” Ten of clubs, king of spades. “You grew up fast.” Nine of spades, seven of spades, five of clubs, nine of clubs, two of spades. “These are acts of horrible violence, but you were not alone.” Six of spades, two of clubs, jack of clubs. “Your compatriot.” Three of hearts, eight of hearts, four of spades, ace of clubs. “But you betrayed him too.” King of hearts. “Suicide. His.” Eight of clubs.

“Your card again.” King of clubs. “You rose to your pinnacle of power.” Ten of diamonds, four of hearts, three of clubs, ace of diamonds. “You were wealthy.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I didn’t do any of this, sir, you did.” Three of spades, eight of clubs, two of hearts. “A lover.” Ace of hearts. “You truly fell for her.” Six of diamonds, ten of hearts, queen of hearts. “She rules in your life. How lucky.”

“Leave her out of this.”

“That is entirely up to you.” Seven of hearts, queen of clubs. “Another woman, looks like you can’t control yourself.” Four of diamonds, ten of spades, six of hearts. “And you are so hopeful.” He stops. There is one card left. “Would you like to hear what the cards tell about your life?”

“Didn’t I just now?”

“Not in full. The cards individually give an outline. Fully dealt, I can read your autobiography.”

“What about the last card?”

“That card stays, until the end.”

You think for a moment. “Alright. Tell me.”

The man picks the cards back up and begins shuffling through them backwards. “When you were young enough to be innocent, but old enough to lose it, your mother killed your father and his vast fortune fell to you and her. You were happy for a while, living in luxury. Your father’s mother suspected foul play, so your mother took you and ran. Your mother died. You killed her and took everything she had. You went to make your fortune of your own, but you couldn’t hack it alone. You took a friend, a partner, someone who was psychologically weak. You betrayed him and drove him to self-destruction. Soon, you were living the high-life, baptized in the blood of anyone who ever loved you. Then, you fell in love with a pure woman. She wouldn’t give herself to you, so you took on a mistress until the marriage could be arranged, which is why you’re here.”

“Her father runs the carnival.” You say, your eyes lowered in shame.

“Yes he does, and he also employs me.” The man smiles again. “You shall not be marrying my employer’s daughter, he sent me to see to that, but it looks like I won’t have to.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because, my friend, life is like a deck of cards, you only get 52, and you just reached the last card.” The man flips over the final card. Jack of hearts, the one-eyed jack with his head on the chopping block, waiting for the axe to fall.