Time and flowers

They sat quietly across from one another. Both men as still as the stone slab that separated them. The man in his fancy black suit and his white shirt laid down two of his cards. The other gentlemen, whom had long since lost his coat to the weather, carefully drew two new cards from the deck and passed them across the large stone slab. After examining his new cards Mr. Black sifted through a bundle of flowers. Roses, daffodils, and lilies were arranged in neat piles on his side of the large stone structure. Mt. Black took his time sorting through the roses. Finally he arrived at what he felt was the perfect one. Holding it to his nose, he felt a wave of sadness at it's lack of scent. Carefully he laid the rose on top of the pile between the two men.

Mr. White, in his dingy white shirt, looked back to his hand. He rearranged his cards once, then twice. He laid down three cards and dealt himself three more. Then he plucked a rose from his carefully arranged collection. He had been at the table far longer than Mr. Black. He wasn't so attached to the loss the accompanied this game. With their bets settled the two gentlemen laid down their hands. The game fell in favor to Mr. White with his two pair.

The night had become day, so much time had passed between hands. Mr. Black was still getting used to the pace of the game. In the bright sunlight people came. They gathered around the tables and brought more flowers. Mr. Black was thankful, he was running low. Mr. White, however, had to keep winning for no helpful person replenished his stacks. But that's alright he was good at cards.

the next day brought in more people than usual. A band played as the people paraded in. Mr. Black had never seen this before. He watched as they walked by.

"What's going on", he asked.

"They're installing a new table", said Mr. White.