MARLA WAS GOING TO ASK BETTY about the whole mother daughter, G&G bonding session but she had to focus because Saturday night would be a big night and it could make or break her working at La Bonne Nuit.

     Veronica was friends with everyone working there except her, but she figured they might be working there way up the friendship ladder because Veronica seemed to be liking her.

     The staff was called in to see what the casino setup would be like and Marla being impressed would be an understatement. There was blackjack, a roulette table, a poker table, and, lucky for Marla, no craps. "This is awesome, Veronica," she commended her. "But what happens if someone finds out?"

     "That won't be a problem," Veronica answered professionally. "Reggie, if you may."

     Reggie went around the room, hiding all of the games and the poker chips at the counter. There was a round of applause. "Okay," Veronica clasped her hands together, "I will see you guys tonight. I expect all of you to be in your best hygienic state and on your best behavior."

     They all broke away and headed up the stairs. Marla was about to, as well, but Veronica stopped her. "Marla, I want you to serve and only serve a guy named Elio. He's the family rival and I need you to distract him."

     "So kind of like booze 'em and schmooze 'em? That kind of thing?" Marla asked knowingly. "Yes! Exactly!" Veronica perked. "How did you — "

     "I spent a lot of time with my grandpa and he kind of built me to be like some sort of secret agent. Which is why I know so much about drinks and table games. I learned to blend into some scenes. I'm like the Black Widow. Ya know, without the catsuit and the Russian accent."

     Veronica nodded. "I'll see you tonight, Ronnie." Marla made her way up the stairs and went to go seek out Betty.

Betty swept a hand under the table, feeling around for something that might have been — bingo. She peeled it off and held it up so she could see it. She had a feeling that Marla didn't listen to her and bugged the table, anyway. That stubborn girl.

She was quick to dispose of it in her bedroom garbage can so her mother didn't see and start questioning her. Just as the lid to her garbage can began to close, her phone started ringing. "Hello?" she asked. "Hey, Bets. I wanted to talk to you to see if you had anything," Marla answered.

"I don't know. You tell me. Since you probably heard everything."

"I didn't get much. Only the part about your mom playing G and G in high school before the mic died on me. Then it cut off and I got nothing else."

Betty opened her mouth to say something then closed it. She didn't expect Marla to just outright admit that she hid a secret microphone in her house. "So you just bugged my table even when I told you not to? Marla, what were you thinking? You're lucky I found the mic before my mom did."

"Then rat me out so she won't have to worry about me being a bad influence. What, was she gonna think that you were spying on her?" Marla asked. "Cause you technically already were when you were digging through the files from the coroner."

"Don't turn this on me, Mars. I did that so we could figure out the rest of the game and why it came back after so many years," Betty retorted. "You can't be that mad at me if you called me Mars," Marla observed quietly. "It was a reflex," Betty shot back, just as soft.

"So now what? Are you gonna tell me what happened that night?"

"Yes," Betty conceded begrudgingly. She wanted to stay disappointed at Marla for not listening to her but she just couldn't. "But I'm still upset that you bugged my house."

"It wasn't the entire house, Bets." Betty could feel Marla rolling her eyes through the phone. "Listen, I gotta get ready for my shift at La Bonne Nuit. Veronica wants her staff to look squeaky clean for casino night, although she kinda wants me to play dirty and sell myself out to the family enemy."

"You're actually not gonna do that are you?" Betty questioned. "Calm down, Bets. You're gonna be there, remember? So you're gonna see it all happen," said Marla. "I only said I would go if Jughead didn't have any plans," Betty recounted.

"Well, do you and Jughead have plans?"

"No."

"Then I'll see you tonight." Marla's voice had a hushed tone before hanging up. It left a silly feeling in Betty's stomach.

     Marla was adding some finishing touches (a chef's knife hair clip behind her ear) to her uniform before she headed out the door. She was as clean as she could be as she made her way into La Bonne Nuit. The casino was already in full swing, although her shift hadn't started yet.

     "Hey, Marla," Veronica waved her over. "Glad you're on time. See the guy over at the blackjack table with the coiffed hair? That's Elio." She pointed out a guy with a sharp, navy blue blazer and a small pompadour on his head. "That my victim?" Marla asked, joking, but her tone was a tad too serious for it to convey properly. Veronica nodded. "Booze 'em and schmooze 'em, señorita."

     Marla rolled her eyes playfully as she turned around and went to go get the guy's order. "She has a. . .chef's knife in her hair," Reggie noticed. Veronica saw that, as well but decided against telling her to take it out. She shrugged. "She's our star server tonight. If she needs an extra boost of confidence anyway how, then so be it."

     Marla was at the blackjack table, observing everyone playing the game. It wasn't her favorite, but she was able to play it. She didn't like it as much as she loved poker, though. "Hi, can I get you anything?" She slid into Elio's space smoothly, grateful that she knew she was charming enough without having to pop a button or two. Instinctively, Elio gave her a full once-over and then smiled. "I'll have a whiskey neat. Don't water it down too much."

"I can't promise anything, but one whiskey neat, coming right up." Marla flashed him a smile before moving over to the bar. "Hey, Reg. Whiskey neat with a little less water."

"Can't do that, Mars Bar. Or else we're gonna busted." Reggie shrugged. "Not when I've already got little Elio wrapped around my pinky finger. And you're already running a speakeasy. That alone can get you in trouble." Marla turned around to see him staring at her. He gave her a sly smile and swigged some of his other drink before turning back around to the game. "Ugh, he's too easy. Now you gonna give me that drink or what?"

     Reggie was hesitant but made the drink, anyway and handed it over to Marla. She took it appreciatively and went to go take it to Elio. "One whiskey neat with a little less water," she presented, sliding into the same spot she was before and handing him the drink. He took it nicely and toasted it before taking a sip. Not going to lie, Marla thought that he was kind of cute but she had to be professional for Veronica's sake.

"Hey, play a game of blackjack with me," Elio suggested. "Um, sure," Marla relented, "I can play a round." She sat down at the table next to Elio and had the dealer deal her cards. "Nineteen," he announced. There was a crowd of oh's behind her. "Twenty," the dealer announced as he laid down Elio's cards. A round of ooh's ensued. The dealer then laid down Marla's final card. "Twenty-one."

The crowd applauded her and Elio looked confused. "I don't believe it. I want a rematch," he demanded. "It's okay, Elio," Marla said, getting up. "It's good to lose sometimes. Really evens out the ego. And besides, house always wins." She walked back to the bar and flipped her hair in success. "Do you still want me to serve the guy?" she asked Veronica.

     Veronica nodded. "Just a few more hours. Then I'll play a game of blackjack with him. But, I'll be raising the stakes with. . ." She pulled a sheet of official-looking paper. "The deed to Pop's."

     "Ronnie, you're insane," Marla and Reggie said together. "What if you lose?" Marla asked. "Like you said, house always wins. Should be fine," Veronica smirked.

     "His ego's already bruised so it shouldn't be too hard to beat him. He was probably cheating, too."

     "How'd you even win?" Reggie raised his eyebrows at Marla. Marla gave him a playful wink. "I have my ways."

     "Deal me in," Veronica said as she got to the table. "What are you doing, Veronica?" asked Elio. "Raising the stakes," she shot back. "One hand of blackjack, winner takes all. Just you and me."

     Reggie and Marla were observing from afar, listening in. "What does the winner get?" Elio inquired. "This," Veronica said simply as she unfolded the paper. "The deed to Pop's." There was a round of ooh's that followed that statement. "And, by extension, La Bonne Nuit."

     Reggie was looking through his fingers because he couldn't watch, Marla was watching with a lot of intent. "You're on," Elio challenged, "but don't say I didn't warn you."

     "Don't hold your breath."

     The dealer handed out the cards. Nineteen for Veronica, twenty for Elio. "I'd suggest you leave while you still can, princess," said Elio. "Game's not over, yet," Veronica whispered back. "Hit me." The dealer laid down the last card. "Twenty-one," he announced, "Miss Lodge wins."

     "That's. . .that's impossible." Elio was at a loss for words. "Why, Elio?" Veronica asked, pretending to be surprised. "A little birdie told me that house always wins." She walked away victorious and Marla came over to pick up the deed. "For what it's worth, you're a good player. You want another drink?"

     Elio waved her away. "No, please. I just need to recover."

     Marla shrugged and headed back to the bar.

    
The night was over, and Marla was about to leave Pop's when Elio caught her by the crook in her elbow. "What, Elio?" she asked.

"I wanted to thank you. For tonight. And for the steaming slice of humble pie," he said. Marla laughed a little. "Well, it's what I'm here for: serving pie slices, physical and metaphorical."

Elio laughed a little, as well. When the laughter died down, Marla spoke up. "I should really get going. I've been on my feet all day and I'm exhau—" she didn't finish her sentence because Elio swooped in and kissed her. She returned the kiss, just to make it fun for him. Pulling away, Marla had a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Oh, Eli," she pouted, "I may swing both ways, but your way ain't one of 'em." She patted his cheek before walking out of his grasp and out of Pop's, leaving him to recover once more.

She called Betty, but her phone went straight to voicemail. Huh, Marla thought. She called again. Voicemail. She called one more time and when it went to voicemail, she left a message. "Hey, Bets. It's Marla. Call me back when you get this. I still need to hear the whole story."

Marla took a cab to Betty's house and knocked on the door. When Alice answered, Marla asked, "Hi, Mrs. Smith. I was wondering if you knew where Betty was? I tried calling her and — " Marla leaned over to see over Alice's shoulder into the kitchen because something blue got her eye.

It was Betty's phone.

Shoving Alice's arm aside, she rushed into the kitchen to get Betty's phone. "I can call the police for your breaking and entering," Alice said quickly.

"Nope, just trespassing because I'm not planning on stealing anything. Where is she?"

"Safe. And I reserve the right to not tell you. I don't even know you all that well. You could be out to hurt Betty." Alice crossed her arms. "The mere possibility of me hurting Betty is the least of our worries right now. Where is she?" Marla asked again, not playing nice this time.

"I'm calling the police." Alice walked over to the phone. "Fine. But I'm not gonna stop until I find her." Marla slammed the door shut and went home.