The pit boss watched Jerry carefully as he made his bet. It takes a special breed to gamble all night into the next day. The cards give and then they take away, usually in that order. Jerry’s hot streak ended around 2AM. I watched with unease as the hours ticked by in the windowless casino.
Jerry’s “war chest” (as he called it) slowly evaporated. One minute you're up thirteen large and the next, well, you’re sitting here with us. We must have looked like quite the pair, rumpled suits, five o’clock shadows, I didn’t even remember losing my tie. None of it seemed to bother him though. Jerry got off on it, on the risk. I ran out of cash, myself, at 10:45. My inheritance from my grandmother, the whole reason for the night out.
I had mentioned the inheritance money I had just come into to Jerry back at the office. His bright idea, a sure thing (he told me), was to take it to the casino. Simple enough, walk in with 5 and leave with...well, more. Sure, why not? It wasn’t a secret at work that Jerry went to the casino from time to time. I’ve seen him come around after a big win, buying dinner and drinks for friends after work. Paying for things without being asked. His treat. An all around generous guy.
I nudged Jerry, “Hey, we can cut our losses. We don’t have to lose all the money tonight,” I yawned.
He waved me off, “Don’t talk like that, we’ll make it back. Don’t worry. Have a drink, they’re free.”
It was late. I felt like there were knives behind my eyes. The last thing I needed was another drink. I actually couldn’t believe Jerry was still standing, the amount we’d both been drinking. The night was late enough that...the sun might actually be up already.
“Four thousand to call,” said the dealer. Jerry looked at his cards and threw the chips in. “Alright, show your cards.”
Jerry confidently tossed down the Queen of Hearts and the Jack of Spades, a Full House. The player across from him smiled and turned over a Four of Clubs and a Four of Diamonds, Four of a Kind. Jerry sank in his chair as the dealer pushed the chips toward the other player.
“Dude, we should go,” I told him. “We have just more than half of what we walked in with.”
“No, no, no,” he replied with a weak smile. “I’ll do right by you. We’ll at least break even.”
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“Remember,” said the dealer, “the table has a minimum of two thousand per bet.”
Jerry looked at his remaining chips, nearly 3 grand. His eyes drifted to the pit boss. “I’ll be right back, deal me out this hand.” The dealer nodded, and I hopped up to follow. Stopping short of the two, I listened.
“C’mon, another 5-spot will help me win back what my friend lost,” said Jerry.
“5 grand?” asked the pit boss in a gravelly voice. “You’re already into us for 73 large. I told you, you’re not getting more credit till you start paying back what you owe.”
“Sal, you know I’m good for it.”
“You’re telling me what I know? What I know is that you’re a degenerate fucking gambler, Jerry. What did I tell you last week? I told you we need 5 grand by this weekend and you’re cut off till then.”
“I know that, Sal, but-”
“No,” Sal pulled Jerry in close by his wrinkled suit jacket, “obviously you fucking don’t, otherwise you wouldn’t be asking me for more. Here’s something you’ll understand. 5 grand by tomorrow or you get hurt. If you don’t have it by next weekend, you get hurt. If you don’t got it the following week, you’re taking a trip to the hospital.” Sal released Jerry with a push.
Turning back to me, Jerry forced a smile. “I’ll be right back.”
“Whaddya mean, ‘you’ll be right back?’” I stormed after him, right into the men’s room.
Jerry walked over to a sink, ran the cold water, and splashed some on his face. Bracing his hands on the sink, he leaned over and looked at his face in the mirror. I’d never seen him like this before. The disheveled hair, bloodshot eyes, the fear in his eyes offset by his grin, he looked more like a stranger.
“Dude, I know you’re in a bind and...I-I’m actually worried about you. You can use the rest of my money, but I expect to be paid back. Do you actually have a way to get 2 thousand by tomorrow?”
Straightening his posture, Jerry ran his fingers through his greasy hair. “I appreciate it. I just needed a little break, cooldown. Now that my head’s clear, I’ll make the rest up at the table.”
“The table? What’re you gonna...fucking gamble the rest away? You’re more than halfway to 5 grand, why risk what you already have?”
Jerry reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small vial and tapped some white powder onto the side of his hand. Taking the bump of cocaine, he gave me a toothy smile. “Sometimes, ya just feel lucky.”