The Shell Game

In order to finance the rather astronomical bill that is Pemberley, Charming Calvin has hit upon a scheme that I've found surprisingly original. Rather than taking out an equally ginormous loan or pledging his life's savings on a winning horse, Calvin has decided to invest in a casino.

Or at least that's what I gleaned from this particular conversation.

Paul : So what are you up to tonight, my good man?
Calvin : Having some people over to play mahjong. Maybe it should be a regular event.
Paul : You mean a Charmed Casino?

What else am I supposed to think? A straight-laced, law-abiding citizen such as Calvin wouldn't dream of such a deed but you know what they say about desperate times and desperate measures...


Get Pemberley I must!
Immediately I could imagine the hypnotic clackety-clack of mahjong tiles, the smoky atmosphere of the clandestine gambling hell and the slit-eyed glances of femme fatales with hidden agendas. With Charming Calvin in a shiny pit boss tux presiding over his Charmed Casino with a watchful eye. Possibly backed by an appropriately butched-up Jaunty Jared with dragon tattoo and bleached blond crop.

Maybe with Soldat dealing out cards - since I'm sure one of his personalities would have worked in a riverboat casino before.

And there I'd be in the shadowy wings with a half-empty glass of wine listening to the live jazz entertainment - obviously typecast as the physician on-call. Just in case a sudden bloody gunfight erupts between Calvin's hellish hoodlums and the rival neighbouring gang. Or a disgruntled mahjong auntie with a trigger-happy finger.


A casino! Who knew! So come and place your bets, gentlemen!

Or at least that's what I think Calvin is saying. Then again, it could be a one-off mahjong game for the Chinese New Year.