Rufus

Summary

Rufus forms a threat to the syndicate which rules the gambling world. It makes life difficult for him.

He rejects an offer of a job as croupier in a gambling set in the Wassenaar area. But he thinks up a combine with a former flame of his, Lilian, whom no one in Wassenaar knows. Her job is to seduce the leading gambling magnate in order to penetrate into his exclusive circle of clients. In the meantime, Rufus has allowed himself to be inveigled into becoming a croupier there, acting as though he has given in, but it is actually to see that his girl friend gets the winning cards dealt to her. They hope to make a big haul this way.

The features of the poker game have in the meantime made themselves evident in the relationship between Rufus and his girl. Rufus, particularly, is always on his guard with her, takes care not to show her his real feelings and to reveal his true loneliness. Although Lilian really loved Rufus and probably still does, she accepts this 'poker-game' approach to their relationship. Never showing your feelings, pretending, bluffing - these are the foundations of Rufus' obsession with gambling, and Lilian acts the same way. It looks as though Rufus is bound to win, but the hard-as-nails poker-player will end up the loser after all, when Lilian's pokerface finally breaks.