Alex Jebailey — The Alex Jebailey — is making his triumphant Pro Circuit return with an impressive 3-2 record coming into round 6. Dave Spears, no stranger to feature match wins, apprehensively sat down across from Jebailey.

As both players were shuffling up, Patrick Sullivan and Spears reviewed the Alabama state Constitution — specifically its view on marriage. Jebailey told me excitedly that “There’s DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) here, so maybe I’ll play some of that later!”

The coin was flipped, and Jebailey won the odd initiatives.

Jebailey: “I’m gonna Political Pressure you.”

Spears: “I can still beat you, I just curve up.”

It was at this point that Jebailey leaned over and whispered, “Did you write down that ‘Jebailey is back’?” I nodded.

Turn 1 saw a whiff from both players and a “be gentle” from Jebailey.

Turn 2 was more of the same, except Jebailey flipped the all-important Political Pressure. At the end of the turn, he paid 4 to turn it down.

Turn 3 saw some Pressure in the draw phase. Jebailey dropped Detective Chimp, Shoeless Gumshoe into play, and Spears recruited Sage, Xavier’s Secret Weapon. Jebailey smashed Sage with Chimp and flipped up Total Anarchy. Spears sighed and KO’d his 3-drop.

Spears slid a face down card in my direction—it was The Alley.

“Why isn’t that in my row?”

Turn 4 saw some Pressure in the draw again. “Best card ever”, said Jebailey with a sigh and chuckle. Professor X, Headmaster came into play for Spears.

Jebailey: “Is he good?”

Spears: “He’s all I got.”

Jebailey: “So he sucks, then.”

Jebailey recruited Dr. Occult with a Cloak of Nabu and a Helm of Nabu, making him an 8 ATK/8 DEF. Spears swung in with a double power-up to get the one-sided stun. Jebailey flipped the score pad in frustration.  

“What is going on here?! This is supposed to be ‘The Return of the Jebailey!’”

On turn 5, Dave finally had a Pressure of his own. He played Straight to the Grave and pulled a Puppet Master from his deck. He then played a Dr. Light, Master of Holograms to bring the Master into play. Jebailey played a June Moon ◊ Enchantress, Good Witch, but he was still at 31 endurance—6 small points away from using her ability. Spears flipped up Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and double-activated his Puppet Master, exhausting Jebailey’s entire board. Jebailey sighed.

Once again, both players flipped down the Pressures.

Going into turn 6, Spears led 42-27. Both players again played their respective Pressures. Jebailey played Dr. Fate, Hector Hall with a fresh Helm for the unimportant Meltdown.

Dave had taken control . . . Jebailey was losing it. Dave played Enemy of My Enemy for a 6-drop: Terrax, Harbinger of Ruin. Dr. Light brought back Poison Ivy, Deadly Rose. Spears stunned June Moon with Terrax and double-activated Puppet Master again, exhausting Dr. Occult and Dr. Fate.  

Dave flipped The Alley. He then made the uncharacteristically safe team attack of Terrax and Ivy into Dr. Occult. Spears was on a roll.

Spears: “Did you see that I forgot to ‘Poison Ivy’?” I nodded.

Turn 7 saw Jebailey about ready to pack it in.

Jebailed: “Am I dead this turn, Dave?”

Spears: “Maybe.”

Jebailey recruited Shazam, The Sorcerer.

Spears: “I’m going to have response to that recruit, just so you know.”

Jebailey: “Why!?”

In response to Shazam coming into play, Spears exhausted Jebailey’s entire board . . . again. Spears recruited Galactus, The Maker and exhausted Jebailey’s Shazam to steal the initiative. Spears declared The Maker into Dr. Fate for the win.

Dave Spears Wins!