Royally Flushed

A sequel to "Art Sophisticates Wear too Much Black"
 
 

"I don' know why you even try, hommes," Gambit said, laying out his
hand one card at a time. Ten of spades, Jack of spades, Queen of
spades, King, Ace. Royal flush.

Sam and Logan threw down their cards in disgust as the Cajun raked in
the chips. "I don't know why, either," Cannonball groused. "Ah
ain't never beat you yet."

"I'm still workin' on those calls," Logan growled ominously. "Every
man's got `em. Even you, Gumbo. I think."

"Good luck with that," Remy responded, cheerily. "Who's deal? Hank?"

"Hey, BLUE!" Logan said.

Henry turned back to the table apologetically. "Sorry, I got
interested in the movie. My deal?"

McCoy's heart wasn't really in the game, but they had lured him in
with Twinkies and Dr. Pepper to be their fourth hand. On the couch
behind them, Ororo and Kurt were watching The Green Mile. "Should I
be offended dat de Cajun in dis movie is a whinin', cowardly little
booger?" Remy asked.

Nightcrawler laughed. "Keine angst, Gambit. Zer are no parallels
between Herr Delacroix and yourself."

"No, my brother," Storm said, managing to sound serious. "You are
much more like John Coffey."

"'Like the drink, only not spelled the same,'" Remy said, his voice
deepening into an eerily exact imitation of Michael Clark
Duncan. "Merci beaucoup, padnat. I appreciate de comparison."

Beast broke up laughing. "Oh, dear, that was good. Really, that
was."

Remy slammed the deck of cards down in front of him. "Will you jus'
shuffle already?" he demanded, amiably enough.

"Vell, as entertaining as zis evening has been," Kurt yawned, "I am
for bed. Guten nacht, meine Freunde."

Remy snorted. "Some Nightcrawler. Capped out already."

"I, too, am too tired to concentrate anymore," Storm said, standing
up and flipping off the TV. "The movie will keep until tomorrow
night," she said, stopping the VCR. "Good night, everyone."

"Actually…if it's all right with you fellows," Beast said, eyeing the
empty box of Twinkies, "I'd really rather turn in, myself."

"Into what?" Gambit demanded.

"Well, it's obvious Ah ain't got any reason to be here, anyway,"
Cannonball said, "so Ah think I'll hit the sack, too."

"Everybody's leavin'?" Gambit complained. "De night's just gettin'
wa'amed up. Logan, you ain't cuttin' out on me, are'y?"

"No, never," he said. Remy did a quick double-take at the tone of
the words. He mastered himself and his habitual poker face slid back
into place before anyone could notice.

"Y'wanna play another han', or do somethin' else?"

Logan stood up. "I dunno, I'm feelin' antsy. You up to a quick
Danger Room session?"

"Always."

"Let's go, then."

"Lead on, M'sieu Mustelid*."

-------------

* author's note: for those of you who aren't addicted to the
Discovery Channel like I am, a mustelid is any mammal of the weasel
family, including the wolverine. I realize this may be obfuscating
(obfuscating: a needlessly confusing word for "needlessly
confusing"), but I really, really love this word. :D

--------
Mac O'Roni

"After all dis time--an' I still manage to impress myself."

-Gambit, Uncanny X-Men #334