"Got it cheaper than I expected," Joey was saying. "But then Donny got wise and asked for a percentage of the profits once it starting functioning again."
"Is that going to be a problem?" asked Harry.
"Unlikely. In the first place, it is going to take awhile before it is functioning again, let alone making a profit. In the second place, I'm not actually looking to drive them into bankruptcy. Hell, the longer they're spending money fighting each other, the less likely they'll start looking at me and what we're doing."
"Especially when some of that money is coming from you," slyly said Joey's personal assistant, Jessica.
"Exactly," Joey grinned.
"Just how bad is the damage anyway?" Harry asked.
Jessica handed him a sheet of paper and Harry gave a low whistle.
"No wonder you got it so cheap. Donny's pointing the finger at Andy, right?"
"Yep," Joey nodded with a sly glance at Gambit.
Gambit merely returned her gaze with a bland, attentive expression that showed no sign of having any idea what she was talking about.
"So, any other business?"
"Oui," Gambit nodded. "Is da Bianchi Poker Tournament still on dis year?"
Joey stared at him, then burst out laughing.
"Trust you to be concerned about the poker tournament," she grinned. "Yes, yes it is. A little later than usual, but Dad was never very picky about when in July it was held."
"Magnifique," Gambit said boyishly.
"Sadly, as Johnny's Bar and Casino was given to me, I have to play hostess. Which mean I can't compete this year," Joey sighed. "So not fair."
"Dat's okay, cherie, we'll just haveta find other poker tournament to participate in."
"Like you need any encouragement."
Gambit chuckled.
"You people and your poker," Jessica said with obvious disgust.
"Yo' don' play mam'zelle?"
Harry frowned slighty as Jessica shook her head.
"I'm not a gambler."
"And yo' work fo' Joey?" Gambit teased.
"Personally, I think it's because her poker face sucks," Joey nodded.
"No, I just don't believe in pissing away my money like that," Jessica objected.
"Rule number one, never bet more dan yo' are willing ta lose," Gambit nodded.
"See? Someone understands me... I think."
Gambit chuckled.