Nick was elated at the fortunate purchase. When he'd left home in the RV with his girlfriend Jessica he'd forgotten to pack a deck of playing cards. While a trivial thing to most some Nick always cherished the games with his family that they'ed played on the road or in tents camping on their vacations. And with his cross country trip he'd just started with Jessica he was looking forward to sharing the simple game and quality time with her too.
The deck wasn't the name brand UNO cards, that was for sure. But it didn't really matter. The odd shop Jessica had pointed out just off the highway had been their first little jem of the trip. A cross between a road stop and a novelty store the place had pulled out all the stops to really sell the 'magic is real' theme. Nick had spotted the cards and that was as far as his attention had gone Jessica had bought a bags worth of trinkets too but hadn't seen what exactly. In any case a few souvenirs never hurt anyone.
Time had passed since then. Hours of road, singing to songs on the radio, chatting about destinations and sight seeing all blended togther between Nick and Jessica and at about 5 or 6 in the afternoon Nick called it quits on driving. The first rest stop they saw he pulled in and parked the RV for the night.
Needing to stretch after the long day if driving he got out and surveyed the vehicle. The mid length RV was modern with a boxy overall shape and a tall truck cab at its front. An awning on its side could fold out and plenty of storage compartments on the outside. The inside had a dinet table and bench seating for 4. A gas stove and sink. A larger then usual fridge and a microwave. The bathroom was cramped but had a stand alone shower and best of all was the queen size bed that took up the back half of the cabin. A TV entertainment system and radio too were neatly packed away in the main space too. It was a bit tight but for the two love birds it was just big enough to feel homey!
When he went back inside he saw Jessica just putting down a magazine she'd brought with her and gave him the soft, genuine smile that he so loved to see. It was the 'his smile' that he only got to see from her.
"Everthing good out there?" She asked.
"Yep, no problems. Hate to give this back to my parents all beat up."
"Yeah, they'd have you replace evey panel with so much as a scratch on it. So want to watch a movie or something?" She asked, setting the discarded magazine in a box at the side of the table.
Nick gave a brimming smile. "How bout some cards?" He sat at the small table and pulled the card came out of his pocket. Leaving little time for Jessica to protest otherwise.
In a flash the cards were delt and the deck set. Flipping the top card over activated (unbeknownst to the couple) the "magical contract" amongst those around the deck that the magic was now active and any effects during such time would not end until the game had a winner.
"Ladies first." Nick declared leavening Jessica too look at the familiar colors of the cards but the odd symbols with some confusion? But the game was the same as always she guessed. Following the first card off the deck Jessica played a ____________...