BRET MAVERICK'S LOSING STREAK

After three days[2] coming downriver from Memphis, and another solid week in the casinos of New Orleans, Bret Maverick continued to lose at poker. $3,311 all told, including his emergency $1,000 bill.[1] This seems quite unusual for a Maverick, each with their "fair knowledge of the grand game of poker," learned under Pappy's wing. Certainly, given the wide-open tables — especially in New Orleans — Bret could have chosen his opponents with more professional discretion.

Perhaps Bret was still preoccupied by his promise to the dying Lefty Dolan in clearing Jedd Ferris' name of murder.[2] After all, Bret had momentarily abandoned his search for evidence that would clear Ferris, still serving a life sentence in Yuma Territorial Prison for Dolan's crime. It would not be for another six months that Bret would happen across Dolan's former partners in the Arizona Territory and the solid proof he would need to fulfill his promise and free Ferris of all charges.[3]

STEVE CORBETT'S OFFICE DECOR

When Bret Maverick entered Steve Corbett's office to inform him of his dealers cheating, there was a copy of Gilbert Stuart's unfinished portrait of George Washington hanging over a bureau to the left of the door.

But a moment later, after Amy Lawrence left the room, the portrait of Washington was replaced by one of Abraham Lincoln, and the Washington portrait appears on the next wall, over the fireplace.[1]

GIREAUX'S $1,000 BILL

When Roul Gireaux sent Bret Maverick half of a $1,000 bill as enticement to answer his invitation, we can see that it is clearly not United States currency. It is a bill from the Mexican State of Chihuahua.

Stranger still, judging by the design of the bill itself, it would not even be issued until after the Mexican Revolution in 1914, 37 years after the time Bret met Gireaux.[4]

BRET MAVERICK'S PINKY RING

Brother Bart sported a gold ring on his little finger, but Bret Maverick was not known to wear such an accessory. Yet, we clearly see him wearing one as he removes the $1,000 bill from the lining of his broadcloth coat.[1]

It may be that it was an item he won playing poker over the last week, and he had yet to throw it back into a pot. Whatever the case, it was not seen on Bret before or since.[2]

Some things in "Escape to Tampico" are wild as the wind in Oregon, such as: