Beginner's Luck

Fri 15th Feb’19 (morn)

I woke up chirpier than usual today. I feel something good is coming. I was up without the snooze, extra time to get ready. I have a good feeling about this one – she replied last night confirming and even had a few xoxo’s after the message. I wonder what her real name is, Andi can’t be it right? I bet it’s something exotic like Adrianne or Andalucia. I’ll ask her tonight, break the ice and hopefully leads to a good conversation about Brazil. I’ve always wanted to go. Who would have thought we’d click it off so fast? I’ve heard horror stories about dating online.

I’m a little concerned about meeting at the Casino though. She did say she lived close and ‘Le Buerre’ is a lovely place for a first date. Maybe her place after, if I get lucky?

Sun 16th Feb ’19 (morn)

I’ll spare some of the early details from the weekend and get to the good bits. She’s still here, so I’ll try and be quick.

Work - Nothing exciting to say. I was in a good mood and everyone noticed that I looked especially nice. Even had time for a gym session to pump those guns. Antonio was there again. I really hate the way he stares at me when I train. These guys have no shame!

Dinner - “Andi” turns out to be an Andrew, a heavyset Greek guy whose laugh bellowed loudly as he actually made me buy him dinner. It was so embarrassing. I stayed strong. Even offered to buy him dessert as a sign of strength. He didn’t decline. The prick. I wore my nice shirt too.

Later - $300 poorer, I step out into the familiar cacophony of blinding lights and ringing machines. The dreaded Casino floor. One wrong turn and I was in the place that started my prior demise. I wasn’t drawn to the tables immediately, but a familiar feeling did start to rise. I could work the odds, see more cards, count it out, at least see myself even for the night. I was relatively sober, so a busy table would be easy to read – utilise that Actuary degree for something. Bravely kept walking, a drink at the Sports Bar at the back hoping for a good game. You know my luck… and the bar was busy, and it was some regional horse race on in the background. Off season. I forgot, not worth the punt.

Alas dear Diary, here my luck changes. Sarah, you know the one from high-school that I always thought was cute, she’s standing behind the bar, wiping down pint glasses. I always imagined she would go on to be a doctor or lawyer or something, but there she is, Friday night shift at the Casino Sports Bar, cute as ever.

I push my way to the front of the queue in her section all cool, and hope she recognises me. She doesn’t, not fully anyway. I remind her. Her face lights up. She hasn’t seen anyone from home since we all came to the city for University, and she was “overjoyed” to see me. She works part time while studying and hasn’t been back home in years. It’s busy, but she says her shift ends in 30 minutes and did I want to grab a drink after? I was only buying one drink and if I didn’t have plans? She was always very quick, and I’m a little embarrassed she thinks of me as a punter, but she asks for my number, quickly types it into her phone and tells me that she’ll call me when she’s ready and to meet her by the front of the Casino around midnight. My heart

Sun 17th Feb ’19 (late)

She woke up, I jumped back in bed! Understandably, I’m tired but you’ll forgive me - My little black book, you’re still my best friend!

11.30pm Casino floor Friday – so here I am, drink in hand, 25 minutes to kill, a recovering gambler on the casino floor with $350 left in his pocket, and a cute girl to have a drink with at her suggestion! I go for a walk through the tables to dissuade myself for having a gamble. The table limits were obviously higher, which wasn’t as annoying at all. Look at the clock at only 5 minutes have passed. I can’t be asked waiting 15 minutes in line for a drink, so I walk around towards the main floor area. As you know, I don’t carry my Platinum Member’s card with me anymore, so I can’t swipe for entry into the private bar area, I stand in queue to get a new one printed. They ask if I want to sign in for the members draw that is going to happen at midnight. Just a swipe of the card needed, that’s all and entries closing soon. No one wins those things anyway, but other option is actually putting down some money and seeing what comes. Try a new game, see what happens, even if it is just for fun. Plus, I’d be meeting Sarah before that anyway hopefully.

I sit at a $100 Roulette table that is semi-empty and watch the clock with my JD and Coke in hand. Fake rich guys walking about in blazers with gorgeous women on their arms in beautiful gowns. Why do they come here, I’ll never know? I sit next to a Korean Cab Driver who wins $1000 betting on nearly everything that spin. How he affords it, I’ll never know either. I buy a $5 bottle of water from the waitress. So expensive, I'll never know why. Number 17 lands. That used to be Rachel's number, for all the times she came with me. I rue her lost chance to win $3,200. But the stakes too high for me on this table, plus I’d smartly moved the money out of the cheque account. Curious places casinos and the people they attract.

Someone asks for my seat, which I have to vacate. Weekends at the casino are the worst. I’m glad it isn’t a Tuesday. I find a seat by the 10c poker machines. The machine above reads $20,000 Feature Bonus. I don’t want to play, but there isn’t anywhere else to sit, so I slip in $50. $100 max tonight. I have my limits. It’s been a while. 15 minutes. A couple of slow bets just to buy a seat. I buy another $5 water bottle from another attractive waitress. I try not to gawp.

A group of young international students noisily pass their way through to claim the machines behind me. One of them smells badly. I’m losing and I’m annoyed. Another $50 is swallowed up by this fucking machine. Why do people even gamble? I hit a feature. A few free spins and the kind noises of money won cheer me up and I snap out of it.

Sarah’s calling!

Wed 5th Mar ’19 (morn)

I’m late - I have to get ready and I waited until the last possible moment to jump out if bed. I’m so madly thinking about calling in sick, but I don’t want her to think me irresponsible. Sarah stayed over again last night. She’s in the shower, so I thought I’d write quickly just to fill you in. I think I’m in love.

Nearly Midnight Fri 15th – I remain with $65 in the machine, and my phone starts ringing. Private number. I don’t answer. It rings again and I remember Sarah. I answer. She says she’s ready and that she’s at the front by the taxi stand. I press to cash out, but it comes up with an error. The attendants are cleaning up the mess made by the students. This is going to take forever. Leave the money? An elderly lady is looking for a seat to play. She looks a bit like mum. I offer her my seat. And my remaining money.

I rush to exit as all sorts of bells start ringing behind me. This old lady hit the jackpot on my money. $20k lost. She wins. I kick the bin and get a stare from a security guard. I’m leaving forever anyway. Fuck them!

Hit a glass door head on as I try to exit. Everyone sees. Brushing aside my bruised ego, I step outside to find Sarah has changed into a simple yet short red polkadot dress. She always had great legs. She smiles politely pretending not to have seen, and I then proceed to tell her why I was a little annoyed. We both crack up laughing at the irony of the situation and in that moment, she makes me feel less like a loser than I’ve ever felt before.

We go to an after-hours hidden bar she shows me, and buys me a ‘beginners’ luck’ to commiserate my lost windfall. Surprisingly tasty for tequila, and I bring her back to mine to introduce her to Hugo. She’s always wanted a puppy, but her apartment block won’t allow pets. He sure is the best wingman ever. Sarah’s already spoiling him!

Saturday 16th – A gentleman never tells

Present - Sarah’s taking me for dinner tonight. Some Greek Restaurant near hers. I’ll pack a bag and leave it at the gym. The one near hers is so much better. I’ll be staying at hers tonight, I hope. She lives nowhere near a casino. I think I’ll wear that shirt she likes.