The Joker Billboard

Trotted back inside through the screen flap to let my soles cool off, and hopped straight up to the coffee table. Right beside a round cork coaster sat an open deck of cards with one card slid loose: a slick, grinning Joker flashing bold red diamonds in the corners! No way was I leaving that sitting flat. I dragged the card upright, jammed its bottom edge snug into the slot of a heavy brass letter stand, and gave the stiff paper a sharp flick. It stood rock-solid like my own personal backstage billboard! I leaned back against the coaster, crossed my sneakers, and traded a wide grin with my paper twin. Evening chill fully locked in.