He was stretched out on a sun lounge, soaking up the heat.
Europe was always nice this time of year. This was his regular working holiday. He would spend a few weeks visiting the clubs, bars and gaming houses, for just one or two days at a time. Then he would move on. He knew all the haunts; those places where his prey congregated.
From his comfy recliner on the hotel balcony, he watched the dock workers sweating furiously. They came from all over, but they all had one thing in common; they, like so many of those who frequented the venues he would visit this year, liked to gamble. It never failed. They all liked to work hard and gamble harder. Bless their hearts!
He opened his small velvet bag and checked his tiny cups. They never seemed to tire of the shell game. He wiggled his fingers. He had always been quick with his hands. He smiled as he returned his working tools to his pocket. He squinted at the lowering sun and turned over.
He could lie here for another hour before the bars open.