The bar was a familiar scene for the duo. It was called the “Red Tavern” and many of the regulars from last time were there. The bar counter was made with a moderate level of craftsmanship and the spinster manning the drinks was pretty enough if you squinted. Overall, it was a cheap place but not a total shithole, the exact kind of place Richard felt at home in.

There was a million things he wanted to do, especially now that he had ghost powers, but he had a goal this time around. He walked up to the counter as Colby obediently trotted up behind him and talked to the bartender.

“Hey toots, I’ve got a few coins and I’m looking to make some more of them. Got any things goin’ on around here?”

Richard put on his best charm face but the bartender completely ignored him. At first he felt a little insulted but then he remembered the position he was in.

“Oh, shit right, you can’t see me… Colby, repeat what I said.”

“Wha- what? I can’t say that!”

“Why not?”

“It’s- it’s so lewd! And vulgar! Mommy said that one should always be polite and to respect my elders…”

*Sigh* “look kid, has that ever gotten you anywhere?”

“Well, no, but-”

“No buts! Your sister’s life is in danger isn’t it? Shouldn’t you do whatever it takes, even if it’s a little vulgar?”

Colby couldn’t argue with his logic, but Richard had the most dirty grin he’d ever seen plastered on his face, which caused Colby to question whether he was really making an honest appeal for his sister’s sake.

“Look, kid, just follow my lead and repeat after me. We’ll get this sorted out soon enough.”
“A-alright…” Colby quietly agreed and turned to the bartender.

“H-H-Hey toots…. I-I’ve got a few coins a-and I’m looking to m-make some more of them? Got… any things going on a-around this place?”

“Gods, boy that came out about as well as the roar of my old car…”

Nevertheless, it seemed to work as the bartender lady turned to Colby and looked bemused for a moment, before her eyes lit up with recognition. She had an accent reminiscent of a southern drawl.

“Why, if it isn’t Dick? Glad to see your back, hun!” She chuckled “looking to take some more of these boys’s money hey? Well, it just so happens that the regulars are challenging a couple of merchants to a game of cards upstairs. Though… you might need an invitation to get in…”

As Colby was trying to think of ways to get an invitation, Richard was already heading straight for the stairs, and he had to hurriedly chase after him.

The tavern had a large lobby on the main floor, and a set of stairs leading up to a mezzanine, which lead further to some rentable rooms.

On that mezzanine, there was a single table with 4 people around it. It seemed the gamblers rented out the entire upstairs for this.

“Ho-ho, high rollers. Just the kind of people we’re looking for.” Richard laughed.

As the duo got to the top of the stairs, a buff looking man got in their way.

“Hey kid, the upstairs are reserved, nobody can come up here.”

“Who’s that?” A familiar green man from the table called out.

“Do you know this boy?” another man at the table wearing nice clothes asked.

“It’s Dick! The one and only! Frank, let him pass, I guarantee this guy will show us a great time!” Grok bellowed.

After the merchant gave their consent, the guard, Frank, let Colby pass.

As the duo were walking towards the gamling table, Colby looked up at Richard and asked

“D-do you know what you’re doing…?”

“Oh, ye of little faith! Trust me, we’ll win any game they throw at us!”

“W-will you know how to play again?” Colby asked. This gave Richard a slight pause, but he decided to brush off this concern.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. After all, the only thing a gambler requires is a satchel and his luck!” He arrogantly stated to cover up his own hesitation. However, when they got to the table it became evident that they would have no such worries.

“I-It’s fucking cribbage! Are you shitting me!?!?” Richard yelled with a laugh as he saw the game on the table. Sure enough, there was a wooden board with holes for pegs, as well as playing cards made out of thin wood slabs.

Coming to the table, Grok welcomed Colby with open arms.

“Ah-ha! Hey boy, it’s nice of ya’ to join us!”

“H-hi” Colby meekly responded. Grok looked at Colby a little funny, but quickly began introducing the people.

The table was square with Grok and one other person on one side, and 2 people dressed fancily across from them.

“This ‘ere is David, an old buddy of mine,” The person next to Grok waved “And the two people covered in fancy clothes are Gustav and Ricardo, merchants from another city.”

Whilst David looked like a plain old peasant, Gustav was fat and covered in jewels, while Ricardo was lanky in modest but not too modest clothing.

“And of course there’s Frank over there, to keep the peace.” Grok added, pointing towards the guard from earlier.

“H-hi everyone. I’m Colb- Richard! I’m Richard!”

“But call me dick” Richard insisted

“Y-yeah, I will.” Colby responded to Richard, even though he’s the only one who could hear him. Richard smoothly face palmed.

Everyone at the table looked at Colby funny.

“H-hey Grok, you sure this kid’s alright in the head?” David asked. Richard and Colby began to sweat profusely as the pressure of scrutiny increased steadily.

What felt like minutes went by before Grok burst out laughing.

“He must be drunk already! That’s ol’ Dick for ya’, won’t wait for anyone to get the party going!” Grok declared.

“y-yeah… “ Colby responded. Soon David, then all the other people around the table joined in Grok’s laughing.

“Grok, you big beautiful green man!” Richard exclaimed in joy. “Let’s get started!”

“Let’s get started” Colby obediently repeated, much to Grok’s delight.

“Thatta boy!” Grok yelled “These damn merchants have been bleeding us dry, we need you to come show them up!”

“Hold on, our game can only fit 4 players” Gustav, the merchant interjected.

“Ah, that’s alright. I’m outta money already” David confessed, smoothly making a spot for Colby to play.

Now it was Grok against Gustav, and Colby against Ricardo.

“So, I assume you know how to play?” Ricardo asked Colby.

Colby looked to the side and asked “Do we?” Richard nodded and Colby looked back and confirmed he did.

Ricardo looked a little put off by this, but now the whole table had just accepted that it was due to Colby’s drunkenness, so he didn’t say anything and just began dealing.

While Grok muttered how impressed he was that Colby already knew a rich persons’ game, everyone continued on with the preparations.

“Ohhoho, time to get to work” Richard said while rubbing his hands together and waltzing over towards the merchant’s end of the table. Colby nervously followed him with his eyes but didn’t say anything.

Ricardo shuffled the deck, then looked at Colby and said “cut”

Colby looked to Rcihard, but Richard simply said “Wait, wait, wait, just one second!” Richard was doing all sorts of experiments with the deck that was facing down on the table, trying to interact, or blow wind with his mouth to peek at the cards. Then, he seemingly had an idea and shoved his whole head into the table.

“Oh-ho-ho! This works… just take a looksy and….”

Just as Ricardo was starting to get impatient, Richard declared “Ok! Pull apart the deck, right here at this card!” Pointing at a specific card in the pile. Colby did as he was told and cut the deck at the designated wood slab. Ricardo then dealt 6 cards to both of them, one at a time. Ricardo then picked up and held his six cards against his chest, while Colby copied him.

When they looked at their hands, Ricardo gave a slight scowl while Richard began laughing and celebrating, dancing around.