Chapter 3-7

Someone once said “Seeing people change isn't what hurts. What hurts is remembering how they used to be.” I could see myself changing and I remembered how I used to be and it hurt, it hurt like hell…..

 

I looked up from my plate as the waiter approached the table, he hesitated, rubbing his hands together, “Is everything OK with the meal sir?” He said nervously, “YES. YES!” I replied curtly. I continued to eat my meal, sitting alone surrounded by fine wines and food, like a 20^th century Henry VIII. I took a deep sigh as I noticed the waiter still hovering, I forcefully but quietly put my knife and fork down, wiped my mouth and slowly turned my head to glare at him, “WHAT!” I said in a sharp tone, “Well sir,” he said dancing from one foot to another nervously, “The manager of the casino would like a quick word with you.” I sighed deeply again, “Send him in.” I said, arrogantly, gesturing with my hand to the empty seat in front of me. He left quickly and a few minutes later the manager of the casino walked in, I pointed at the chair and continued to eat my meal. I had spent 5 days at the casino drinking and eating all at their expense, I thought I was so clever, I knew they would try to claw back my winnings, a few thousand pounds worth of room and food was nothing to getting back what I had won and I knew I couldn’t wing this forever, I would have to start playing again, but not roulette, that was a mugs game, I wanted a skill game, poker. “Sir!” He said quietly, “I hope you’re enjoying your stay, and I would like to offer you this unique opportunity.” He leaned forward handing me a gold coloured envelope, I took it and rested back in my chair. Inside was a credit card size membership card for the “High Rollers Club”, this was it!! I threw the card on the table as casually as I could and looked around the room, “Thank you.” I said trying to hide the tremble of excitement in my voice, “I will pop in later.” He left with a smile on his face and I sipped my drink, this was it, I had hit the big time, maybe this money wasn’t a curse maybe it was a blessing, I was getting used to this life. I returned to my room to get some cash I needed a tuxedo, I opened the safe and grabbed a handful of cash, I sat on the bed and counted it £2,000 should buy a nice one. Walking through the main entrance I called the door man and asked him for directions to Edinburgh’s Savile Row after calling a cab I headed off.

 

“Sir, I’m sorry.” The tailor said apologetically “We need 3 weeks to create such a suit.” I looked at the floor and felt my anger rise, didn’t this guy realise I was rich; he needed to get his act in gear. “So what can you do for me?” I said angrily. He apologised again “Sorry Sir, but the best we can do at such short notice is one off the peg.” I shook my head holding my forehead in a dramatic way. “Oh well, it will have to do.” I said still shaking my head. The tailor ran off to get me a tuxedo. He brought it over and, well, it actually fitted very well, this was it, tonight I was going to walk in to the “High Rollers Club” or HRC as we called it, in my top flight Tux and play the big tables, minimum stake £5,000. I stood looking at myself in the mirror dreaming of scooping up all those chips, a small smile crept across my face. I left the tailors and headed back to the hotel and my room, where I found it being cleaned by a rather cute chamber maid, her name was Olivia and we chatted for a while. She was saving for college and for the first time in a year I had my head turned, she was small and blonde and oh so cute. I threw on my new tux and headed to the HRC, I saw Olivia in the hallway, “Hi,” I said like an errant schoolboy “Listen if you want to join me a for a drink after work, I will be in the HRC.” I said proudly. She looked at her feet and played with her hair, “I’m sorry.” She said “We are not allowed in the HRC.” I was disappointed, but hey think of the money, “Oh well,” I replied “You know my room.” And with that I shot off to the HRC and riches beyond belief……