Hippodrome Casino

[Zoe]

Directly across from the subway station for Leicester Square on Charing Cross Road stands the Hippodrome Casino. Opened in 1900, the Hippodrome wasn't originally used as a casino. Muggles used the space for a wide range of successful circus and variety shows and even hosted the first official jazz gig in the United Kingdom. By 1958, however, the Hippodrome was converted into a nightclub and restaurant and then transformed for in-house events and theatre shows before renovations began in 2009 to turn the space into a buzzing casino.

The four-story casino has been utilized by hundreds of Muggles for decades, keeping the palpable energy and lively atmosphere of the place alive. Numerous bars, restaurants, and a cabaret theatre can be found here in addition to hundreds of betting tables and dinging slot machines. Anyone that is of age is welcome to place their bets and try to win their chicken dinner.

If Muggle blackjack, crabs, or poker isn't enticing enough, there is an alternate option for wizardkind. Taking the elevator down to the basement and going through a magically disguised red door will reveal an underground casino and club that is free of Muggles. House-elves (working as servers), goblins, and, inevitably, some dodgy dealers frequent here.

[BanaBatGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

SEE?? He got it. His boss was earning a ton of cool points right before his eyes and--

...

......

............

"Mate, Sir, Fletcher, I love you." Kodee Chosen said in solemn fashion. "And now I love my job and now I love today." He'd gotten something of an inclining about the man--when he wasn't lecturing him about everything he was doing wrong--but this...this...don't tell Charles...this promise of more things they wouldn't tell the Minister...he would work for this man forever.

"Got it. My lips are sealed."

Kodee came to a stop by his boss but didn't take a seat. Blackjack wasn't his idea of high stakes so he'd pass on this but the boy was suddenly more interested in his boss. "Yeah." He admitted, less caution in his tone than moments before. "Got the other guy good. Won that one. Got some decent galleons for it. If you're really into the high stakes, I know a place."

Mate...sir....Fletcher? "Just Sir Fletcher is fine," Fletcher chuckled, exchanging a palmful of galleons with the dealer for some chips. The 'love you' bit, he'd just pretend not to hear, because y'know, kids were dramatic and said stuff like that all the time. But he did seriously eye Kodee at his promise not to squeal. "They'd better be sealed. A personal assistant might learn more personal secrets than others, so... I hope I can trust you, Kodee." Genuinely, he did. He saw a lot of potential in him, even if he did talk a lot and only take notes a little. He could improve.

So, step one. He gestured to the seat next to him. "Blakjack's easy to win at. You ever play?" Wait, hang on. Fletcher put down a few chips and waited to be dealt his hand, turning slightly to Kodee before he peeked at his cards. "Yeah?" He was interested, sign him up. He nodded to the dealer for another card.

"You usually win in these... uh, duels?" Muggle duels, yeah? Fletcher scratched at his cheek idly. "How many galleons are we talking? Because I am, uh, always looking for investment opportunities...."

[DaniDiNardo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Mate...sir....Fletcher? "Just Sir Fletcher is fine," Fletcher chuckled, exchanging a palmful of galleons with the dealer for some chips. The 'love you' bit, he'd just pretend not to hear, because y'know, kids were dramatic and said stuff like that all the time. But he did seriously eye Kodee at his promise not to squeal. "They'd better be sealed. A personal assistant might learn more personal secrets than others, so... I hope I can trust you, Kodee." Genuinely, he did. He saw a lot of potential in him, even if he did talk a lot and only take notes a little. He could improve.

So, step one. He gestured to the seat next to him. "Blakjack's easy to win at. You ever play?" Wait, hang on. Fletcher put down a few chips and waited to be dealt his hand, turning slightly to Kodee before he peeked at his cards. "Yeah?" He was interested, sign him up. He nodded to the dealer for another card.

"You usually win in these... uh, duels?" Muggle duels, yeah? Fletcher scratched at his cheek idly. "How many galleons are we talking? Because I am, uh, always looking for investment opportunities...."

"You've got noooothing to worry about, Bossman." Kodee assured as he slipped into the seat next to him. He had no idea what he was doing so handed over only as many galleons as Fletcher had. "Younger me? Not a chance. Looser lips than a buttered goose. Kenzie used to hate it. Our friends knew everything--Al hated it, too. Kept insisting there's stuff you just don't share. Not really into guy talk, that one but anyyyyyyyyyyway, new me knows how to keep his mouth shut. Barely a talker now. Deep well of secrets I'll take to my grave probably."

At the very least there were a few things his girlfriend would eventually die without ever knowing. Sometimes, to maintain a relationship, lies were necessary. Absolutely.

Kodee leaned over, trying to get a look at his boss's cards after he was given his own. He'd said it was easy but that didn't make the boy know what to do anymore than before.

"I win, yeah, unless I need to lose to earn more. I'm not fussed as long as the galleons roll in. It depends on the pit though." Sometimes, he was under no illusion of winning...at all. "I'm getting better. Only cracked two ribs last week. Haven't gotten a puncture in a while--good thing, too. Kenzie worries. Less injuries, less worry, we both win." As to how many galleons. "It all depends when you're looking for a profit. What pit you visit, who you put your money on. I happen to know there's a major match coming this weekend. I'm keeping out." He....wasn't looking for the kind of damage that would deal him. Had other plans that would have to be cancelled after. "But I know where my galleons are going. You in?"

[BanaBatGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

"You've got noooothing to worry about, Bossman." Kodee assured as he slipped into the seat next to him. He had no idea what he was doing so handed over only as many galleons as Fletcher had. "Younger me? Not a chance. Looser lips than a buttered goose. Kenzie used to hate it. Our friends knew everything--Al hated it, too. Kept insisting there's stuff you just don't share. Not really into guy talk, that one but anyyyyyyyyyyway, new me knows how to keep his mouth shut. Barely a talker now. Deep well of secrets I'll take to my grave probably."

At the very least there were a few things his girlfriend would eventually die without ever knowing. Sometimes, to maintain a relationship, lies were necessary. Absolutely.

Kodee leaned over, trying to get a look at his boss's cards after he was given his own. He'd said it was easy but that didn't make the boy know what to do anymore than before.

"I win, yeah, unless I need to lose to earn more. I'm not fussed as long as the galleons roll in. It depends on the pit though." Sometimes, he was under no illusion of winning...at all. "I'm getting better. Only cracked two ribs last week. Haven't gotten a puncture in a while--good thing, too. Kenzie worries. Less injuries, less worry, we both win." As to how many galleons. "It all depends when you're looking for a profit. What pit you visit, who you put your money on. I happen to know there's a major match coming this weekend. I'm keeping out." He....wasn't looking for the kind of damage that would deal him. Had other plans that would have to be cancelled after. "But I know where my galleons are going. You in?"

Sure he didn't. Fletcher didn't want more silver hairs in his beard but here he was, being assured of really nothing at all by his personal assistant. The admission about his loosey goosey younger lips just made Fletcher sigh. Kodee was... a rambler. "Probably," he echoed the younger man sarcastically. "Let's hope for the both of us that you do take those with you." And hopefully it wasn't an early grave for the boy, either.

Right, back to the card game. Fletcher quickly pressed his cards flat to the table so Kodee couldn't see. "It's easy, champ. You're just trying to get to 21. Sometimes you need another card from the dealer to help you get there." Speaking of, he flashed her a winning grin, and tapped the table to signal that he wanted a hit. "Other times, you just hold what you have and wait to see if you beat the house."

He'd pick it up, right? Fletcher didn't wanna lecture all day. Watch the kid have beginner's luck and get dealt an ace and a king or something. Psh.

"Ah," hmm, now this was an interesting hobby, the fighting pits thing. And it align with Fletcher's interests in making money by any means necessary. "Alright, I'm in. Can't hurt to check it out, so long as you do keep those lips sealed." He eyed the boy again. "What cards did ya get?"

Would he fall for that? Hehe.