Mike held his breath and closed his eyes. Anxiety curled in his stomach like viper.
He knew that the roll of the dice determined his doom.
For minutes, he reviled himself for the gambling, which overtook his senses.
Going to town with the lads had turned out not to be a very good idea.
A mug of beer became several and a roll of dice turned into several rolls too many.
‘I should have stuck with the coin machines.’ He thought.
‘What will I tell Bernadette?‘
‘How do I explain that I have lost the inheritance.’ ‘That we are heading for the poor house?‘
Like a man waiting for the knell of the tomb bell, the jingle of dices sounded ominous and then it stopped.
Gasps, shifting of bar stools and music in the background sounded louder.
Bracing himself he opened his eyes.
Incredible! By some lucky God of Roulette he won.
‘You lucky son of a gun,’ Todd pounded his back.
‘Well, drinks are on you.’
He collected his winnings, left several dollar bills for drinks and decided to go home.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
In response to the FFAW photo prompt above. Thank you Etol for the photo and Priceless Joy for your enabling platform.
a cooking pot and twisted tales 
I’m glad after all that he actually left once he’d won! Let’s hope he’s learned his lesson.
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I hope he does too. Thank you for your comments Draliman.
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Thank goodness he knew when to stop! Most people would have kept on playing until they lost it all. Wonderful story Jacqueline! It highlighted the tension he felt about losing the inheritance. Glad there was a happy ending!
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I think the fear of Bernadette put some commonsense back in his head 😉
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Yes! Exactly. LOL!
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That was a very lucky save! I’m glad he took the sensible route and left after his win – many people I believe would take that as a sign to keep on playing. Good story, Jacqueline. 🙂
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Thank you very much Louise. The problem is most times it doesn’t end on a good note. I think it’s an addiction of a sort to keep playing a losing game.
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Priceless!!
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Thank you my dear Maria 🙂
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❤
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A wonderful story about gambling…with a uniquely happy ending. Too bad it doesn’t always turn out this way. ☺
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It hardly ever does. I wonder what captures the victims and holds them ransom until they are bled dry?
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A misguided sense of hope ? It’s what keeps them buying Lotto tickets with their grocery money.
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Glad he made the choice to go home in the end!
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Yes indeed. Bernadette would have flayed him. Let’s hope he keeps away next time.
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lucky him lol
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Bernadette would have killed him 😉
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Your story made me anxious for this man and his wife. How could he bet so much like that? He become very lucky when he won that bet.I hope he takes it as a lesson and doesn’t bet by roling dice anymore but sticks to the slot machines or doesn’t gamble again. Well written Jacqueline.
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I hope he doesn’t too. I honestly wonder why some people are addicted to gambling.
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It does happen occasionally; otherwise only fools would be deceived.
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True.
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I really hope he doesn’t try that again!
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I hope so too. Sometimes, some friends are very poor influence and better avoided.
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What a lovely little happy ending. I hope he learned his lesson though…
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I do hope so too. Thank you Martin 🙂
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It does happen, my FAthers Father lost the family farm in a poker game!!
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He was lucky and wise too.
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Very lucky. Let’s hope he keeps away from gambling.
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