It’s Thursday afternoon, and everyone’s in a hurry, caught up in their daily business. Walking up the main street, looking for his next mark, Sticky Fingers runs into an old acquaintance. They recognize each other, but the time that’s passed has clouded their memories of each other’s names. In unison, they blurt out, “You are!” and then burst into laughter.

“I’m Harold Foxe; I lived down the lane from you,” Sticky says.

“Yes, I remember,” his friend replies. “I’m Donald Duke, the shy little boy everyone picked on except you.”

“I do remember now,” Harold says. “But I have to add, you’re not so little anymore. In fact, you could easily be mistaken for a pugilist. Are you one?”

Donald replies, “No, I’m not, but somehow, as I grew up, I transmogrified and also lost my shyness. So, you’re looking at the new me. Harold, I remember your nickname was Sticky Fingers because of your ability to, as you used to say, ‘do the steal without the feel,’ and get away with petty thieving. In fact, let me check that I still have my wallet on me!”

Laughing, Sticky says, “No, I wouldn’t do that to an old friend. Donald, what kind of work are you in? You seemed to be in a mighty hurry. Where were you headed?”

“To answer your first question, I’m a stage actor and in town with my troupe, performing an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra at the local dance hall. As for the second question, I’m on my way to meet another old friend who I believe lives in this town. I’m not sure if you remember Jack Trent. You know what, I want us to have an old-time reunion. Please say yes, and let me know how I can get in touch with you.”

“Yes,” Sticky replies. “You can find me at my regular haunt, or leave me a message. It’s the pub called The Crooked House—ask for Sally; she’s a waitress there.” With that, the two friends part ways, each continuing on their original path. As Sticky watches Donald walk away, he can’t help but think with a mischievous smile, “He looks like a duke, he walks like a duke, he talks like a duke, but he isn’t a Duke.”

In another part of town, Kelly Krum (KK) stands idly, people-watching. He does this often to gain insight into human nature, which he then converts into story lines. Today, his attention is captured by an elderly couple—both tall, slim, and in their late fifties—arguing about which butcher shop to go to and what cuts of meat to buy. This is a common scene, as the rising cost of living makes getting good quality at a good price a primary concern. He’s more interested in their facial expressions and the playful remarks they shoot at each other. “Ah, that’s a wonderful, loving relationship,” he thinks to himself.

Soon, his attention shifts to an elegantly dressed young lady in a tartan skirt and jacket over a soft linen blouse, topped with a feathered cap. She is marching back and forth as if in a state of indecision, caught in a repetitive loop—a few steps to the right, a turn, a few steps to the left, and so on. A young gentleman approaches, touches her shoulder, and hands her a single red rose. She takes it, berating him for making her wait so long. A lover’s quarrel.

“Hi, KK. Daydreaming again, are you?” says a voice from behind. KK turns to find none other than his friend Sticky.

“Hello, Sticky,” KK says. “Here to visit me, or looking for your next mark in these quarters?”

Sticky, after a moment of feigned thought, replies, “Both, in fact. Would you be interested in meeting some of my old mates? We’re planning a sort of reunion. The time and place are still to be decided.”

“If they’re anything like you, I’m not interested,” KK retorts. “One Sticky per lifetime is more than sufficient.”

Sticky, holding both hands over his heart in mock pain, says, “No. They’re the cream of the crop and far better people than yours truly.”

“If that’s the case, then count me in,” KK says. “It’s always a pleasure to meet interesting new people.”

Almost two weeks to the day after their last conversation, Sticky finds KK, buzzing with excitement. “KK, that reunion I told you about is on! It’s planned for Saturday night. The venue has been secured by one of the friends—it’s the dance hall’s backroom, where he’s currently acting in a stage play. After the play, around 9 PM, we can set up and party. Meet me at six, before the show starts, and we can watch him on stage.”

Saturday evening, KK meets Sticky outside the dance hall, now a makeshift theatre. The stage is decent and accommodates the cast well. Seats have been set up on what is normally the dance floor, and the two friends, thanks to arrangements, manage to get front-row seats. The play is a success, and Sticky points out his friend Donald Duke, who is playing the male lead, Anthony. Both men are smitten by the female lead, Cleopatra, whose raven-black hair with a fringe defines the delicate features of her pixie-like face. All the actors and actresses are impressive, receiving a standing ovation from a large and joyful audience.

About fifteen minutes after the show ends, Donald comes to fetch them, accompanied by the friend he spoke of, Jack Trent. Introductions are made, and both Sticky and Jack have a faint recollection of each other. In a cheerful voice, Donald says, “Gents, let’s not stand on ceremony. Let’s head into the backroom, where the reunion will be held. Also, if you chaps don’t mind, I’ve invited four of the female actresses to join our celebration.” Everyone agrees in a chorus, and he leads the way backstage. They are introduced to Lorna Jones, the girl who played Cleopatra and is currently Donald’s girlfriend, along with Judy, Sandra, and Moira, the three “handmaidens” of Cleopatra.

Donald, who has prearranged with the backroom staff, has food and drinks set out on tables. Donald seats Lorna next to him, and the rest of the group finds available seats. As toastmaster, Donald gives each person a tall, stemmed wine glass, half-filled with champagne, and says, “Here’s to good friends, good food, good wine, and good times! Drink up!” Glasses clink together, followed by a cheer from the motley crew of old and new friends.

Lots of small talk is underway when Sticky turns to Jack and asks about his profession.

“It’s not so much a trade or a job,” Jack replies. “Rather, I’m a professional gambler, living comfortably off my winnings.”

KK, who has been quietly listening, calls out, “Isn’t that tough? Gambling is a game of chance, and I’ve seen many a man come to ruin because of it.”

Jack smiles. “Not in my case. As I said, I’m a professional gambler. Like any of you who are good at what you do, I’ve learned a few tricks that basically assure me of winning more and losing less.”

Sticky re-enters the conversation, saying, “Pray tell, how does that work?”

Jack looks at KK. “I believe you’re the Joker. Share one of your latest quips with us, and I’ll enlighten you all on my gambler’s toolkit.”

KK accepts the challenge and begins. “A horse thief was visited in jail by his wife the day before he was to be hanged. She asked if she could bring the children to watch him hang. He screamed at her, ‘No, no, no!'” To which she replied, ‘That’s just like you, selfish. You won’t even let the children have some fun!

Everyone laughs, and Judy requests, “Another one, please?” Donald seconds the motion: “Fulfill the lady’s request.”

KK, looking around the room as if searching for inspiration, smiles and starts again. “These two girls—Sandra and Moira”—he deliberately uses the names of the two girls present—”were making their way home after a night of partying. They stopped at the entrance to the cemetery, where Moira said, ‘If we take the shortcut through the cemetery, we’ll be home in half an hour. Walking the long way will take us an hour.”

During the day, most people use the shortcut, but the dark and the local stories make them fearful. The next moment, turning around, they notice a man standing near them and ask if he’ll walk with them through the cemetery. “‘No problem, ladies,'” he says. “‘When I was alive, I also feared walking through the cemetery at night.'” They needed no further encouragement and took off at a breakneck speed, taking the long way home.”

This has everyone laughing out loud, with the ladies clapping their hands for an encore. All eyes now turn to Jack as he begins. “I live by two rules. Rule One: I set aside the amount I’m prepared to play with that day. If it’s a bad day and I’m on a losing streak, I stop. But if Lady Luck smiles on me, I can enjoy the game until I clean up the table, having won most of the other individuals’ money. Rule Two: ‘Know when to hold them, and know when to fold them.’ I’ve learned to read people and can see the slight facial and body changes they make when they’re holding a winning hand or merely trying to bluff with a cheap hand. Using that trait of mine, I can play comfortably, controlling the game in my favour. When I detect the excitement of winning hands held by others, and my own hand is weak, I fold them. There’s no need to lose money unnecessarily. But if I am in possession of a winning hand and I read the signs of doubt in the other players, I know to hold them. I play a game of cat and mouse, making them believe I’m in a corner, while getting them to raise the stakes and creating a jackpot. Then, I—Jack—take the pot.”

Sticky shakes his head. “Wow, I thought I was a shyster, but you take robbery to another level.”

Around one in the morning, they decide to end the party and retire to their various homes. The boys, being gentlemen, offer to escort the ladies safely to their lodgings. As visiting show people, the four girls have found accommodation at the Betty Green Boarding House, just off Main Street and not too far from the hall. While the six newly bonded friends walk and engage in small talk, the two lovers, Donald and Lorna, follow behind, hand in hand, interested only in their own sweet whispers.

As they arrive at the boarding house, Kelly Krum (KK) reaches out to Judy, whom he’s been eyeing all night, and asks if he could pick her up later that morning for a mid-morning meal. In a barely audible voice, she replies with a simple, “Yes.” Her positive answer brings a broad smile to his face, and she, in turn, develops a rosy-cheeked smile. With that, goodnights are exchanged. The girls take their leave and enter the establishment, and the boys depart for their own homes spread across town.

That day, just as the sun is rising from its night’s rest, so does KK. The sun has a bright, smiley face, as is usual on a day promising to be sunny and clear, and so does KK, though his smile is one of anticipation. The first order of the day for KK is to find his dear friend Sticky because he knows he’ll need his friend’s support when he goes to pick up Judy.

Once the two friends are united, Sticky can’t resist remarking. “So, KK, what’s with the outfit and the sudden, quick step you seem to have adopted? Anything unusual planned for today?”—knowing full well what KK has in mind.

“Sticky, I need some moral support and some ‘sailor courage’ when I go to pick up Judy,” KK says, referring to the possibility of having an alcoholic beverage.

Sticky replies, “You don’t need me or the drink; just be yourself and go get the lady.” As an afterthought, he adds, “Faint heart never won a fair lady, but as your true friend, I’ll gladly accompany you. KK, before we go, as it’s still a bit early, meet me at The Crooked House. I have some business to attend to.”

KK understands, knowing that Sticky is going to spot his new mark for the morning. On his search, he is unable to avoid running into Constable Sue Brown, who, at the sight of Sticky, merely waves a pointed finger at him as if to say, “I’m watching you.” Sticky greets him and carries on with his journey to find a client for the morning. He’s not disappointed and soon sees just the right person for his nefarious activity. He performs his double pickpocketing act and is rewarded with several bills sufficient for his present needs.

Arriving at The Crooked House, he finds KK seated at their usual corner table. This morning, Sally is surprised that they’re only interested in ordering tea and coffee. To make up for the small order, Sticky gives Sally a nice, big tip when he pays for their drinks, after which they depart. The two friends take a circuitous route to the boarding house. Arriving there, they knock on the door, and the madam of the boarding house answers, asking, “Are you two seeking alms?” KK can’t resist a snide remark. “No, madam, we have our own arms. But I made arrangements with one of your boarders, Judy, to pick her up this morning.”

It doesn’t take long for Judy to come to the door, but Moira accompanies her. As Moira says goodbye to Judy, and before she can go back in, Sticky calls out, “I’m single, and don’t you want to mingle? Please join us, or specifically, me.” Seeming undecided at first, her friend Judy prompts her to join them, and with that, the four are off. As they walk, all now comfortable with each other’s company, Sticky asks, “Ladies, do you want a pub meal, or should we look for a good steakhouse?” The girls discuss it and finally decide to go to a steakhouse. Sticky and Moira hit it off well, and soon, the four friends can be viewed as two couples.

Even though the sun is shining, a chill wind blows, making it uncomfortable. Arriving at the steakhouse Sticky suggested, the four duck into the interior warmth and are escorted to a four-seater table to the left of the doorway and further back. The waitress arrives and asks if they’re ready to order. They ask for ten minutes to review the menu. On her return, about fifteen minutes later, they all decide to have the steak served with mashed potatoes and peas, plus a bottle of red wine. The meal is to be compliments of Sticky from his morning’s takings. During the conversation at the table, the full names of the two girls are established. Judy is Judy De Wit, of Dutch descent, and Moira is Moira Campbell, of a Scottish bloodline. They had met while auditioning for parts in a stage performance, and their friendship flourished, along with that of the other two girls from their troupe.

Satisfied with the good meal, the four friends head uptown with no particular destination in mind, simply wandering around and enjoying each other’s company. With each passing moment, it seems KK and Judy become more and more engrossed in each other, and Sticky and Moira decide to leave the two lovers and go their own way. Not long after parting, Moira asks to be returned to the boarding house, a request Sticky honours without hesitation. They decide that their relationship will remain purely platonic.

The next day, the Joker and the Thief meet for lunch at The Crooked House, where Sticky is brought up to speed on KK’s latest foray into the realm of love. Starry-eyed and singing Judy’s praises, KK just can’t help himself. “She’s the one for me, Sticky; I’m going to marry that girl.” Continuing, he says, “The play, Cleopatra, ends in four weeks, and I’ll be taking her home to Bradfax to meet her parents and ask for her hand in marriage.”

Sticky, stunned by this latest development, can only shake his head in agreement. His friend, the Joker, isn’t joking but is very serious. The next four weeks drag on for KK, but Sticky uses the time to spend quite a bit of time with KK, knowing that love trumps friendship and that even if he’s going to miss him, he’s happy for him.

Let us skip to the happy ending. KK goes to Bradfax, asks for Judy’s hand in marriage, and, with everyone’s agreement, gets married two months later in the local Presbyterian Church that Judy’s family attends. Sticky, Donald Duke, Jack Trent, Moira, Lorna, and Sandra are all in attendance at the wedding ceremony. Sticky is the best man, and Lorna is a bridesmaid. KK and Judy leave after the ceremony for their honeymoon in London. Afterward, they return and find a flat in the village square where they set up their home. KK, now a Joker, is taken in by the travelling group for their next engagement—the play A Midsummer’s Night, which, of all places, will be staged back in Halifax.

The Joker has found a way out, via marriage, but the Thief is still at large, living life ‘La Vida Loca’—larger than life.