Oh, it was great morning. I go along to the supermarket not for the shopping - except for the hot spices, olives and imported cheeses – but to keep en eye on the spending which can run over the top very quickly if one is not careful. Today was different. After we had been inside for about half an hour I decided to go to the washroom and that’s where I found this bunch of men crouched around a laptop and playing deep inside an online casino. “What are you playing,” I asked. “Stop asking questions and ante up,” grunted a voice. I dropped a $20 bill on the floor and received two cards, a 5 and a Queen. I dropped another $20, thinking darkly about my wife and her diminishing budget. 7, 9 and Queen. My spirits lifted a little. A pair of Queens! Another $20. I thought of asking for a Time-out so I go and drag my wife away from the meat counter. But one cannot do things like that inside an online casino. Another $20. Eighty dollars out of our budget is a huge chunk. I may not eat at all this month. You could hear a pin drop in the washroom floor as we all held our breaths for the river. A Queen! A Queen! I was saved. Now could I rush out and tell her to add fillet steaks to the meat order? “Ante-up!” growled a voice. Here we go again. I drop a $20 bill on the floor and in exchange get a 3 and a 7. I fold gracefully, too nervous to play in the online casino on such a thin hand. Some guy opposite me wins the jackpot. “Ante-up!” This time my $20 bill gets me a King and an Ace, respectable cards in an online casino. I bet, watch the King, Ace and 6 flop, bet again, look at the Ace turn. Full house, Ace high. The river is a 5. I win the jackpot and the two jackpots after that. Then I hear my wife calling from outside the washroom. I grab my winnings, excuse myself from the game and we head for the French wine department. Posted on: December 16, 2009
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