"Reckless and greedy!" Jackie barked, looking very incensed. "What do you mean by that?"

Mike took a sip of his Remy. "Before I answer your question, let me ask you one."

"Okay, go ahead," Jackie said excitedly. This was the longest conversation she’d had with Mike, and she planned on dragging it out for as long as she could. And that voice, hmm. Maybe I gave up on you a bit too soon, Mr. Black, Mike Black.

"Are you trying to make money gambling, or is this just a sport to you?"

"I’m trying to make money, no doubt. But I would be interested in hearing you explain the difference between the two." I’d be interested in hearing you explain how grass grows. "If you have time. I know that you’re a busy man, and I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me." I can’t believe you said that.

Mike looked at Jackie and let out a little laugh. "If you’re gambling for sport, you really don’t care if you make money or not. You just enjoy the game, the tension, the anticipation, and the camaraderie; that’s sport. But when you’re gambling to make money, then that’s all it’s about-money; fuck all the rest of that shit."

"From what you see, which one am I?"

"You gamble for the sport of it. That’s what makes you reckless and greedy." Mike paused and then went on to explain his point. "When you got money sittin’ in front of you, you make reckless bets, and when you lose, you try to laugh it off, like it’s only money."

Jackie had to laugh because she knew it was true. "That’s me."

"You chase the big pots." Mike paused to emphasize his point. "Greedy. And you chase them with weak hands, and since we already talked about your inability to bluff, that makes you reckless and greedy."

"Damn," Jackie said slowly. "You really have been watching me."

"Watching you lose, Jackie. Watching you lose money to me," Mike said and sat back in his chair.