Afternoon, Arthur. I was just doing a bit of ruminating on our present situation. I look around this camp and see a prized collection of liars and scoundrels, and I couldn’t be prouder to count myself amongst them. But there are those who keep this ship afloat and those who ain’t been pulling their weight. Y’see, I got one thing on my mind these days, Arthur. Can you guess what it is? I bet you can’t. Go on, guess. Finish this sentence: we just need a little more…

It’s on the tip of my tongue. I’m thinking of something green, crinkly, and more precious than gold—something you’ve let slip through our fingers. We don’t have time to be slacking off, Mr. Morgan! I’ve seen the way you spend your days, drinking and gambling our future away. You’ve lost at five finger fillet so many times, they should call it four finger fillet. Micah robbed a bank last week while you were staring with a befuddled expression at discarded treasure maps, though I use the word “map” mighty loosely when it’s nothing but a goddamn landscape sketch!

You strut about like a peacock in the finest clothing and most elaborate haircut in Saint Denis. Somehow, you’ve even made time to travel to the four corners of the globe hunting legendary game to turn into a new hat. Yeah, I know you’re cavorting with that trapper who’s always there no matter which of his shops you visit. Don’t deny it like you haven’t come riding up here in the full white bison set. I’m furious, Arthur, but holy hell, I must admit the fit was immaculate. That bison must’ve been a thing to behold. Agh, stop trying to distract me!

I had a goddamn plan! Don’t you trust me? Don’t you want to go to Tahiti, Arthur? I want to go to Tahiti. But you’re acting like you don’t want to go to Tahiti. Seems like you’d rather go to New Jersey. Is that where you want us to live? New Jersey? You’re being ridiculous, Arthur. Nobody wants to live in New Jersey.

I’ve always thought of you as a son. But you want me to die in New Jersey.

I knew there’d come a day where you’d betray me, Arthur. Nothing lasts forever. I just never expected it to come so slow. I thought you’d be a man and shoot me in the back. Instead, you betray me a little bit every day, every time I see you at the blackjack table hitting on 17. Oh, you still can’t guess that word I was thinking of, Arthur? You will. Get the fuck out of here, boy. We’re done.

When will I have grandchildren, Arthur?