Sofia and Mikhail had recently returned from cross country skiing and they had settled down for dinner at a table in the gaming room.
Mikhail sat with his back to the poker tables. After the waiter came to take their order Sofia exclaimed. "Mikhail, look over there, that’s him, that’s Mr W." Mikhail asked, "are you sure, Sofia?" "Oh yes Mikhail, the collared shirt, black shoes and black pants – it must be him." "Oh Sofia, that could be 1000 guys." "Mikhail, he’s wearing a big smile, a blue Cardinals hat, and blue mirrored sunglasses. It’s him, it’s Mr W."
"What’s he doing?" "He’s playing poker." "Who’s he with Sofia?" "He’s with his rich, highfalutin friends that travel in important circles. They are playing Texas Hold ‘Em. It looks like he’s winning. But something about the game looks wrong, or backwards, or something. I can't figure it out." "Exactly who is he sitting with Sofia?" "Well Mikhail, I see he’s sitting with Jules, Gaston, Bill, Emerson, and Ralph. They all look pretty ... a ... something ... eager to win."
Just then Mikhail’s phone rings and a look of panic fills his face. Mikhail picks up the phone and punches a few buttons. Sofia asks, "must we be leaving?" "No Sofia, it’s just some information from our friends in the north." "Oh, ... it must be important. From T? What is it? Wait Mikhail, he’s moved?" "Who?" "Mr W. He's collected a huge stack of chips. Now he’s sitting at another table?" "Who’s with him now?" "He’s now with Sam, Lou, Ray, and Johnny." "But he's not playing this time. He's just talking. These guys look like they want to play. Like they want a chance at his money. A piece of the action. It looks like they think they've figured him out. Like, sort of, they've got his number, or know one of his tells."
After a few minutes Mr W stands up. Sofia doesn't know what to do. Mr W starts walking. Under her breath Sofia says to Mikhail, "Oh Mikhail, he's coming this way." Mr W steps up to their table and looking Sofia in the eyes he says, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure, but your reputation preceeds you. I've read you're very fast, brilliant, unbeatable, almost untouchable. You may not need this, but just in case." And with that he flips a piece of paper on the table for Mikhail. Mikhail picks up the paper to look at it, while Mr W smiles, tips his cap to the lady, and bows slightly. "Always a pleasure," and then he places his cap back on his head and walks out.
Mikhail's phone goes off again. Again there is the urgent look, or perhaps it's panic. "Sofia, we have another text. No, we don't have to go. It's another message from the north. They write, I think you should have all of the information now. Good luck, and happy caching."
Below is the paper MR W flipped to Mikhail.
The story continues ... (Added 3/6/2012)
Then Mikhail says, “Oh Sofia, I can’t make heads or tails out of the slip of paper. It seems almost useless. Will you take a look at it?” “Just a minute Mikhail, and I’ll help you. I’ve been watching the poker tables. I know what is different. It seems like they’re going backwards, dealing counterclockwise while playing poker.” “Oh Sofia, are you sure.” “Yes, positive. They play that way on both tables. It looks weird but they seem to be use to it. Now let me have a look and I’ll see if I can make heads or tails out of that paper.”
Added 4/16/12: If Mikhail and Sofia are going to get any help from the slip of paper, and they are trying to make heads or tails out of it, they might consider tails.
Added 5/3/12: I suppose if Mikhail and Sofia found a theme they could bank on they might take it all the way to the victory of “success!” that puzzle cachers are so fond of.
Congratulations and FTF honors to GEOffreyCACHE and PibAndPog
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.
