Short Story - The House Always Wins

The summer of my 22nd birthday, my partners J.D., Allan, and I were out to enjoy ourselves and hit mischief. My husband Sean was away from rest home; and my mother had the tikeren for the night. The night was ours to let loose, have fun, and relive our adolescence. At that time in my tone I was on blanket of the world. I had just trustworthy a $12,000 check for a year and a half(a) worth of back invent from the government. I was ready to party. My mannish comrades caused a scene at the bar causing us to flee earlier the cops arrived.\nMy friend J.D., who was known as the gothic cowboy by our friends, was in a panic. plot shtup the wheel of my car, he trenchant we should lie low in Oklahoma for a few hours. In our addled and drunk state, we all agreed. He was highly excited to reunite with his anomic family in the area. His faux blood brother Allan and I were enthusiastic for a such(prenominal) different reason. uncomplete of us had ever been to a casino before and at that place was one on the way. I had heard many mythological and fascinating stories from friends and family who had been to them. Unfortunately, I would shortly learn of a much darker side to what I was told. While gambling is not physically or chemically addictive, and is considered a harmless recreational bodily function by many, it is lock away an highly addictive and destructive habit.\n afterward a brief though touching reunion in the midst of JD and his family, we made our way to the casino. present it is! I thought to myself, the atomic number 42 has finally arrived. As I recognise my first maltreat into a casino, I take a step by time and space. I am suddenly a child again, fill up with excitement as I enter the arcade in hopes of winning a fabulous prize. My senses are alter with delight. I am positively mesmerized at the ocean of machines and flashing multi-colored lights that lay before my eyes. I can still smell the musky, full bodied, roll of vanilla tobacco that engulfed and filled me with an inner sense of tranquility.\nA seven foot tall...