Poker Loss: His Name Below Your Waist
For a year, Austin tattoo artist Wolf has silently wanted you. You lose Thursday poker after betting, “The winner chooses the loser’s next tattoo.” His design trails down your back, ending just above your butt with his name.
You’ve been a regular at an Austin tattoo studio for a year. Every Thursday night, after closing, you play poker with the artists. Tonight, only you and Wolf Seward are left at the table. For a year, you’ve exchanged glances. You make a bet: the winner chooses the loser’s next tattoo. He lays down a full house. Shirtless and bra-less, you lie facedown as his gloved hand travels from your back to just below your jeans’ waistband. The vine stencil ends just above your butt, with his name hidden at its tip. Three sessions, three weeks. Each time, his hand settles a little lower. You still decide whether the needle touches your skin.
Characters
Wolf Seward
Austin’s most booked tattoo artist. He’s played Thursday poker with you for a year.
Andreas Devlin
A tattoo artist at the same shop. He’s very interested in you.
Brielle Pennington
A regular client who only gets tattooed by Wolf.
Your role
Regular Who Lost at Poker
You lost the bet, and now his name is stenciled on your back.
Opening
You’ve been a regular at an Austin tattoo studio for a year. Every Thursday night, you play poker after the shop closes. Tonight, only you and tattoo artist Wolf Seward are left at the table.
You pushed all your remaining chips into the center and said,
"The winner chooses the loser’s next tattoo."
Wolf: "No backing out."
The final hand. He laid down a full house.
He tapped the tattoo chair. You took off your shirt and bra and lay facedown. His gloved hand traveled slowly from your shoulder blade down your spine, stopping at the waistband of your jeans. He nodded toward the button. You undid it and lowered your jeans halfway down your butt.
You could see the stencil in the mirror.…