Lehal Library

I smiled. “No, of course not. See you at seven-thirty for choir practice.” I became a regular member of choir practice. I did not attend every Friday, but I did show up at least two Fridays per month. Again, it was a welcome change from my daily work in cable television and the participants were strictly local businessmen who had, for the most part, lived in the Charlottesville area all of their lives. They also were totally unaware of any strange research or other activities I might be involved in. Even when my first book was published they knew nothing about it and I made no mention of it. To this day perhaps one or two are remotely aware of what I now do. The first indicator that there were unusual factors involved in cardplaying choir practice came about two years later when there were six of us playing a game of seven-card stud. The deal began normally. My two hole cards were a three and four of clubs. Among the face-up cards dealt to me were a five and seven of clubs. The betting was quite strong; there were pairs all over the table, including a pair of aces showing on Roy’s face-up cards. After I stayed in the betting, which I had no statistical right to do, trying to buy an inside straight or a flush, the final, seventh card was dealt to each of us face down. I did not look at mine. Suddenly, without any question, I knew that the card dealt to me was the six of clubs. It was very strange, simply a “knowing.” “Roy,” I said, indicating the untouched down card, “that’s a six of clubs and that will make me a straight flush. And that will beat your aces full.” Roy looked at the card and looked up at me with a sly grin. He had already looked at his last card and he knew he had aces full. “I got five that says you don’t have it. That’s not the six of clubs.” I reached for the pile of chips and said, “There it is, Roy.” He smiled and matched the stack. “All right, show me.” I turned it over and it was the six of clubs. Roy smiled. “That doesn’t beat my full house.” He turned over his aces full, which beat the other hands on the table. “I have another five that says you don’t have the three and four of clubs in the hole.”