Chapter 4-2

Albert Einstein once said “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”  I was running into the most stupid thing I had done so far, and I couldn’t see it….

As the miles disappeared all I could think about was money, getting it and as quickly as I could, I had to get this monkey off my back and fast. I was doing abut 110 mph when I realised that after 250 miles my fuel would be getting low, ah, time for a pit stop I thought as I passed the 1 mile sign for the services, at the 300 yard mark I dropped to 90 and moved into the middle lane, I found a gap between two lorries and slipped in between them onto the slip road and gently eased on my brakes to slow for the rather nasty bend I knew was approaching, a bike ahead of me was doing the same thing, the road was greasy from the light rain that had passed through and I was aware of the dangers, suddenly, from nowhere a car darted across all three lanes, across the reservation and into the slip road not more then 10 feet in front of me. I couldn’t brake any harder or I would loose control, but I was rapidly heading for his back end and a crash at this speed would not be nice, I checked my blind spot and pulled hard on the throttle, dropping down two gears I pulled the bike to one side as the front wheel left the ground and I skilfully threaded the bike, on its back wheel, past the idiot of a car driver, the front wheel hit the ground with a thud, it then dawned on me I was going to fast for the corner. I had no choice but to take it at speed, and as the bike lent into the corner I could feel the tarmac rubbing against my leg, it took all my strength to pull the bike back upright and slam the brakes on to gain some control and posture, but, I did it, I could not quite believe it but I did, I continued slowly to the bike parking area and pulled up along side the bike that was ahead of me a little earlier.

 “MAN!!!” he shouted “That was awesome, where did you learn to ride like that?”  He walked over to me with his hand out to shake mine, “I’m Martin.” He said, I shook his hand and introduced myself, it was then I recognised him, he was the guy in the lobby of he casino, “Seriously, though dude” he continued, “Those are some mad skills.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was just luck so I shrugged and tried to look cool about it. “Didn’t I see you earlier this morning, in the casino lobby?” I asked gingerly, he nodded lighting up a smoke; I took the offer of a smoke and lit up with him. “Yeah,” he replied as he took drag of his smoke “I’m a courier for them, and we could use someone like you.” I shook my head “not going to happen” I replied, “Let’s just say, I owe them a few quid.” Martin laughed and threw his smoke of the floor, he put his arm around my shoulders, “So did I.” he guided me into the services, “Let me buy you a coffee.” He said, “And I will tell you how it works.”

I watched as martin pulled away on his bike, the words he had just said ringing in my ears, if I courier for them they would write off my debt, just like they did for him and pay me for the job, it sounded to good to be true, but did I really have any choice. I opened my top box on the back of the bike and looked at the small brown package Martin had given me to deliver, then I opened my wallet and looked at the £200 he had given me to do it. I slammed the box shut and mounted my bike, I could do this, just for a few weeks, get back on my feet then get a proper job, no worries, I thought. Martin had made me memorise the address and as I knew London well I was there in no time, it was the sister casino in London, I parked and entered the main lobby; I walked up to the reception, “err, I have a delivery for Mr Green?” I asked nervously, the man behind the desk pointed at a door in the corner, I nodded and walked over to the door and gently knocked, “Enter” came the voice from within, the strange thing is I recognised it; I walked in to see the manager of the Casino from Edinburgh and his ape standing behind the desk, I had been set up. His trained gorilla took the parcel from me and ushered me into the chair. What was coming next I could only guess….