Ocean City HQ

Dakin was thoroughly briefed on how to behave as a veteran gambler. It was imperative he not break the CIA dealer or CIA game operators’ cover. His winning must look like it was professionally earned with a touch of guidance from Lady Luck. One thing Dakin knew and accepted was that training, as thorough and detailed as it was, always seemed to overlook a few details. These details could be added to later training for future missions. However, some details could be fatal flaws resulting in failure, casualties, and collateral civilian disasters. He was hoping for the best.

The first casino was awash with the odor of used tobacco although the ventilation system was efficient, and not a single wisp of cigarette smoke lingered. The noise was a background of recorded music and gambler chatter dominated by the bells and whistles of the various slot machines. Occasionally someone would hit a jackpot and a constant bell and siren penetrated the other noise. Gamblers would stop and then resume their efforts at a fever pitch only to lose that much faster. There was no dress code other than the wearing of shoes and shirts which was mandated. Also no bathing suits or bare skin other than arms and lower legs were allowed.

Dakin wore a dark blue suit without a tie. The tie was in his inside pocket if needed. He walked around the first casino in the Rio and scoped out the dealers and operators with the double-dice buttons. There were over a dozen this evening spread out at decent intervals. He put on his tie and used his double-dice button as a tie tack. Dakin was very visible as he was wearing a suit and did not blend in with the mainstay jeans and t-shirt of the masses. He stopped at a Black Jack table with a box of chips he had changed for cash at the Rio’s guarded money and winning exchange. There were three other players and the dealer. The dealer wore his dice ID and invited Dakin to Play.

“Room for more players, it ups the purse if you win.” The dealer stared at Dakin’s tie tac.

Dakin sat down and waited for the next deal. He lost the hand to the house. The next deal he bet a thousand over the pot which was five hundred dollars. Each of the other players’ hands had the potential to win and they added their thousand. Dakin won.

Dakin asked the dealer “Is there a higher limit table I might have access to?”

“I’ll have to call someone.” The dealer used a house cell phone number. “He’ll be here shortly. In the meantime, how about playing another hand?”

“Of course.” Dakin took the cue and won another large pot.

A suited man arrived at their table and received Dakin’s request for higher stakes.

“High roller players must have at least fifty thousand of house chips to back their gaming. There’s no credit extended, however, you can use credit cards to obtain your chips.” The Rio floor man motioned Dakin aside. “If you follow me, we can increase your personal gaming potential at the money exchange.”

“One, five, and ten thousand chip denominations if you please.” Dakin sounded professional and not aloof. Dakin received a hundred thousand dollars with verification of his credit card. He had up to two hundred thousand dollars as a line of credit based on a savings account of one million from his bank. Dakin’s bank account was government backed and this fact could not be traced. He looked at his stacks of chips which were actually smaller than he had from the first Black Jack table because of the high denominations.

“You may choose your game and table Mr. Dakin.” The floor guide waved his hand around the more quiet room sectioned off for the individual games with sound-proofing cubicles of two tables each. “Black Jack is to your left.”