Brian realized that Jack had a strange pain tolerance that didn't make a lot of sense. Yet despite coming to that revelation, Brian's expression didn't change much. He still remained the smiling dealer behind the table.
"Now you will be going first, Jack."
In response, Jack thought for a while before putting down two 3's as his bet.
On the other hand, Donald just put down another 2.
He decided that even if Jack didn't feel any pain, he could still lose all of his fingernails and be unable to compensate any further. Though realistically, there was a higher chance he would just win by winning more overall.
After all, the score was currently 2 - 1 in his favor. After winning three more games, he could just get out of there. But he still kept it in the back of his mind as an option in case there were any hidden rules he wasn't yet aware of.
Both of them were dealt their initial hand.
Jack got a Jack of diamonds.
"Hey, it's me!"
As for Donald, he got a 5.
Jack got an 8, making his total 18.
Then Donald got a 4, making his total 9
Seeing this, Jack puffed up his cheeks once more. He wasn't in a good position, since he was the one going first and already had such a high number compared to his opponent. In blackjack, going first was basically always a disadvantage, something Jack knew all too well.
The biggest problem was that if you went bust, it didn't matter what the other person had, as they would still win. On top of that, if you chose to stand, the other could just hit until they were over, and then stand. The only chance in that situation would be for them to go bust.
Since he still threes, the best option would be to just use his own three to guarantee at least a tie. However, before he could act on that, Brian spoke up.
"Hey, why don't you hit again? I have a feeling that you'll be lucky and get a three!"
Jack looked back at him strangely. In reality, Jack was also counting cards, and he knew very well that two of the 3's were in the discard pile, meaning it was incredibly unlikely for that. But still, a smile formed on his face as he nodded.
"Sure! I'll trust you!"
Brian let out a laugh, while Donald rolled his eyes. From there, Brian began shaking the deck like he was a bartender mixing a drink. He brought it up to his ear, as though trying to listen in.
"Ah, yes, I can feel the three right here, don't worry."
With his other hand, he drew the card, and brushed it against the deck a few times, making a few crisp sliding sounds. Then, Brian blew on it before setting it down on Jack's hand.
It was a three of diamonds.
Jack let out a gasp before clapping several times.
"Wow! You were right!"
Brian chuckled and nodded.
"What did I tell you? My intuition is on point."
As for Donald, he suddenly stood up, pushing his chair aside and pointing at Brian.
"What? You... you're cheating!"
In response, Brian raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? The only thing I did was give him a recommendation. In reality, it could've been any card. You saw me shuffle, didn't you?"
Donald blinked a few times before sitting down. After reassessing the situation, Brian did actually give a bad suggestion, as hitting was not a good idea there. The fact that it was a three could've just been a coincidence.
He was no stranger to those just from the games he played on the first floor alone, thus just felt it was dumb luck.
"...Hit me."
He was dealt a 6, making his total fifteen.
Donald thought over things. While he could boost his number to 21, that would take a lot of cards. And besides, it would still only be a tie, meaning that it would contribute to getting five wins and finishing the promotion mission.
He decided to take the chance.
"Hit me."
Brian picked up the card with two fingers, flicked it face up, and tossed it.
The face revealed a King of spades, making his total 25. They were now tied, going 2 - 2.
Donald frowned, but didn't make a big deal about it. Now it switched to him going first, he didn't put down a bet. However, Jack put down both a 2 and a 4.
Brian raised an eyebrow.
"Hoho, looks like the stakes have risen. That's the first four we've seen this game!"
Jack raised his hands excitedly.
"Yeah!"
Donald clicked his tongue.
"Just deal the cards already."
With a chuckle, Brian did just that.
Jack, 5.
Donald, 6.
After a moment of thought, Donald sighed.
"Hit me."
It was a 10, giving him a 16.
Then Jack got an 8, giving him a 13.
Donald paused for roughly a minute before speaking up.
"I'll stand."
Jack spoke up excitedly.
"Give me a card!"
Brian deftly dealt it, revealing a six. Jack's total went to 19, which let him win.
"Yay!"
Now it was 3 - 2, in Jack's favor. Donald sucked in a cold breath before handing over both a 2 and a 4. He was realizing that things weren't going the best for him, but it was more than just the score.
Originally, Donald thought he came in with quite a bit of cards, full set of 2's, and triple 3's and 4's. However, right now he was reduced to only a 3, and two 4's.
It felt as though all of his cards were disappearing rather quickly. It wasn't as though they were disappearing out of thin air, as Donald knew where each of them went. While he didn't lose particularly badly, he still lost many cards making his total 21. If it wasn't for Jack getting the right card so often, then he probably would've already won at this point and with a hand full of cards.
But even now, Donald was still confident there was a higher chance that he'd win rather than lose. His composure wasn't shaken as he remembered what cards were left in the deck. The grand majority remaining were either small numbers or values of ten. While there were still a few middle numbers remaining, they were few.
"Now you will be going first, Jack."
Donald set down 4. As for Jack, he set down a 2.
Jack got a King, while Donald got a Jack, making both of their totals 10. With a smile, Jack raised his hand.
"I want another card!"
Brian smiled, taking the top card and brushing it against the deck twice.
"Alright then."
After tossing it like a boomerang, it landed next to Jack, revealing that it was an Ace. In other words, a natural 21. Jack raised his hands up.
"Yay!"
Seeing this, Donald's eye twitched. He knew that the chance of a natural blackjack wasn't too low at this point, but the fact that it happened for his opponent was pretty bad for him right now. With a clenched fist, he stared at Brian.
"Hit me."
He got a Queen of spades. This wasn't too improbable, and a hand of 20 wasn't bad either. However, it wasn't enough to beat Jack's natural 21. He lost once more.
It was now 4 - 2.
Brian once again hoisted out the fingernail remover.
"You will have five minutes to-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I gotta remove a fingernail."
Donald took the machine and promptly put his ring finger inside. He firmly placed his other hand on the handle and pushed down with a grunt. His face scrunched up pretty badly, but he didn't let out any cry of pain.
The fingernail itself was removed fairly cleanly.
Seeing that made Jack frown.
"What? You didn't make it go anywhere!"
Donald narrowed his eyes.
"Shut up, kid. I was never obligated to follow your antics."
Jack let out a sad hum, but didn't pursue it any further. As usual, Brian took back the fingernail and tool before printing a card to give to Jack.
Now, Donald only had a 3 and a 4.
In stark contrast, Jack had triple 2's, full sets of 3's and 4's, and even a single 5 and 6. Despite giving away all his twos at the start, the cards he had now were a combination of the fact he hadn't used a single card to boost his total, and that he had been winning mostly.
Still, Donald didn't lose his composure. When it shifted to him going first, he set down a 4 for his bet.
On the other hand, Jack put down a 2 and a 3.
The initial cards were dealt, giving the both of them 2's
Donald got an 8, making his total 10.
Jack got an Ace, making his total either 3 or 13.
Right now, Donald felt his position was pretty good. While Jack got an Ace, it didn't pair too well with a 2.
"Hit me."
Brian smiled, picking up the top card and brushing it off the deck before tossing a card over. It was a 10, giving him a 20 total.
That was honestly not far from the ideal situation, making Donald let out a small sigh of relief. He knew the chances of Jack getting a 21 were small.
After another hit, Jack got a 4. Then, a 9.
At this point, the ace could only count for a 1, making his total 16.
This wasn't the best position to be in. However, Donald began sweating a little. He suddenly remembered something. If Jack used some cards to push his number up to 21, then he would not only have to pay compensation but also lose all of his cards.
Not to mention, it would make the score 5 - 2, meaning Jack won.
And it wasn't as though he couldn't do that. Just the winnings from the bets were enough. Donald remained silent, hoping that Jack just wouldn't remember. Though, Jack himself was actually thinking of just that.
He thought it was too much of a risk to hit normally.
Jack knew there was still a 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and Queen left.
He could win if he got a 5, and tie if it was a 4. However, there was a fifty-percent chance that he would go bust, and the two wouldn't let him overtake Donald. Brian smiled when he saw the hesitance.
"Jack, why don't you-"
"Don't give him assistance!"
Donald panicked somewhat, thinking he was going to suggest using cards from the playing deck. Brian looked at Donald and raised an eyebrow, able to see through him easily.
"It's not what you're thinking of."
Donald kept his mouth closed, opting to remain silent. From there, Brian turned back to Jack.
"Anyways, before I was so rudely interrupted, why don't you take a card? I have a pretty good feeling."
Jack scratched the side of his head. He realized that he could technically win right here, but hearing that made him remember that taking the chance was more fun.
"Alright! I'll take a card."
Brian smiled and exaggeratedly held up the deck with one hand. He blew on the top before tapping it twice. He then picked it up with two fingers and flipped it over.