finagle
to trick, swindle, or cheat (a person) (often followed by out of): He finagled the backers out of a fortune.
to get or achieve (something) by guile, trickery, or manipulation: to finagle an assignment to the Membership Committee.
to practice deception or fraud; scheme.
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Jack left the bar, and the woman he was talking to, and headed to a small table, where his friend, Allan sat, nursing a drink. Allan watched the woman like a hawk, and not for the reason most men in the vicinity were. They were all focused on the low cut of her cocktail dress. He was more focused on how she was acting.
“So, what do you think?” Jack asked.
“I think she’s playing you.”
“Really now?” Jack eyed the woman. He did not seem all that surprised or offended by Allen’s statement.
“Oh yeah, definitely. I’ve seen her kind before. She’s acting all sweet now, but she’ll fleece you out of everything you own. Trust me, man, that woman’s no good. She’s a liar and a cheat. A real parasite. I’d call her a gold digger, but they at least give something back.”
“You think so, huh?”
“Think nothing. I know. I’ve seen it happen way too many times before to not recognize the signs. You’re better off ditching her as soon as you can.”
Jack nodded slowly and pulled out his phone. He tapped the screen a few times before saying anything.
“Hey, Allen, remember last year when my brother got scammed out of almost everything he owned?”
“Yeah? You told me about it. He said there was a…” Allen paused and thought. I did not take long for him to connect the dots. “Wait, that’s her.”
“Yup.”
“So you know she’s a rat?”
“She’s not a rat. Rats have a valuable purpose in the world, even if it isn’t always a pleasant one.”
Allen looked between Jack and the woman. “So why are you even bothering to talk with her?”
Jack put his phone down. It showed a group text. It had a few words about “her” and “it’s starting,” followed by a lot of texts saying they would “be there soon.”
“Turns out my brother wasn’t her first victim.” Jack said. “He wasn’t even her most recent mark. She’s been cheating guys out of their stuff for years. The two of us found other victims of hers. We got in contact with them and arranged a little…reunion, of a sort.”
“Wait, so she’s trying to scam you out of your stuff, and you’re going along with it to trick her right back?”
“That’s one way of putting it. I prefer to call it poetic justice though.”
“Holy crap, that’s gutsy. What if she finds out before you can spring your trap?”
“Then the plan will change. It’s a very fluid plan to begin with. Besides, with how she operates, it won’t be too hard to lure her in. And all the victims I could find will be there waiting.”
“You’re not gonna hurt her, are you?”
“More psychological than physical. Although some of those guys are angry enough to go further. Most of them don’t want that much trouble. They just want to put the fear of god in her. And maybe get as much of their stuff back as they can.”
Allen nodded. The woman looked over at the two of them and waved at Jack. He gave his best love struck smile and waved back.
“Sorry, looks like she’s getting impatient. I’d better get back to it.” Jack said.
“Good luck, man.”
Jack went back to his plan, making it look like he was falling for her tricks. Allen watched the two fake flirt with each other before leaving the bar. He headed out not long after. He did not know where they were going, and so could not follow to support his friend. Hopefully his plan would be a success. The world could do with one less parasite.
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Not much to say right now. So, uh, I hope everyone in the US has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Try not to eat too much, you know?
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