Budd sitting at a round table playing cards with several suits and ties

"It's Poker Without Cards" said Bro. Jake with a nod. "But we are playing with cards" I replied tenatively, hoping the answer would not be... "Are we Budd? Are we playing with cards?" Bro. Jake's eyes fixed on mine expecting the correct answer. I don't know why I hesitated. "No my Brother, We are playing Poker Without Cards." We finished up a few more hands and Jake excused himself to get back to the office. I know where I had to go and what I had to do. I put the tarot cards back down on the table, the seven of cups looked up at me like a feeble beacon of hope. Looking about the empty room quiltily I stuff the card into my waste-coat as I move towards my task with hesitant feet. Someone has changed out the set as I walk out, I walk past clowns and midget jugglers. Jestors with glistening skin and wild hair. I say nothing , signal nothing. As I leave I grab the plastic toy gun from off the wall, I may need it.