The Unbearable Banishment: My mid-week colleagues in the casinos

Monday, May 24, 2010

My mid-week colleagues in the casinos

Last Thursday I began another consulting project. This one might go a bit long but it's too soon to tell. Honestly, I don't know what to expect anymore. The last two years of work have been so tumultuous that my confidence is completely wrecked. Between being laid off and the numerous finite consulting projects, I've HAD IT with the uncertainty of not knowing how long I'll be at any one particular desk. It's maddening.

One thing is certain; for the time being, my days no longer belong to me. They belong to an investment bank and are paycheck-oriented. And thank God for that.

Mrs. Wife correctly labeled last Wednesday as my "last day of freedom" and didn't object when I told her I wanted to blow off some steam at a crap table in Atlantic City. I didn't hang around long enough for her to change her mind. She said go and I got.

The casino glam factor on a Wednesday afternoon is -10 to the 10th power. It's anti-glamor, but I like it just fine. The crowds that choke the casinos on Friday and Saturday nights are empty-head Jersey Shore-types trolling for something other than a hot craps table. The men are overweight goombahs with unbuttoned shirts, gold chains and pinky rings. The women walk by and an odor trails behind them. They all interfere with my casino buzz.

Take a look at these old Sherman Tanks.


These are my boys. He limps up, hangs his cane on the edge of the table and pulls out a wad of cash. He knew how to bet properly. He didn't place any of the sucker bets that the stickmen try to draw you into. His drinkin' pal had carpel tunnel damage to his right hand, but it didn't prevent him from lifting the dice or riffling his chips.

At least they had each other. The casino can be an empty, lonely place.

The charter buses pull up and spit out their occupants. Most waddle over to the slot machines. Once there, it doesn't make a bit of difference if they're alone. They sit mesmerized and watch the screens flicker until the buses scoop them up and take them away.

Many, many fashion faux pas are committed. It's easy to feel ahead of the curve in this crowd.


I love this shot. It's perfectly framed. The green blur on the right is the zero. This pic is the current screen saver on my phone.

I was able to take it clandestinely while the wheel was still spinning. They don't like cameras in the casino. Later, I tried to get another pic of the craps table but the croupier put his hand in front of my phone and yelled, "No pictures!"

13 Comments:

Blogger savannah said...

for the MITM , it's golf. mid-week is the best for good golf, maybe alone or part of a walk-up twosome. yeah, i get this. good on mrs. wife. xoxox

May 24, 2010 at 6:28 PM  
Blogger Here In Franklin said...

We took a short cruise once (and only once) and went to the casino--my first. I sat down at a slot machine and started feeding it quarters. I was bored shitless in 5
minutes. Give me the horsetrack any day.

May 24, 2010 at 8:07 PM  
Blogger secret agent woman said...

The only time I've ever gambled was in the Bahamas. I lost $1.25 on slot machines. It made me almost physically ill.

May 24, 2010 at 8:23 PM  
Anonymous daisyfae said...

we all seem to court our demons. yours are fairly tame - you know the odds, know the rules, and respect the boundaries. there are far worse things...

the people in the daytime casino will just break my heart, though. choices. most of them bad...

May 24, 2010 at 10:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In Australia, casinos are usually called "pokies" (for poker machines) and the bus is the "Pokie Express."

May 25, 2010 at 2:05 AM  
Blogger Ms Scarlet said...

I'll stick to the penny arcades down by the seaside.
Sx

May 25, 2010 at 2:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eish. I have a serious gambling problem. I'm one of those gals who growl for $5 more, just $5 more, WAAAAAY after the wallet is empty. Dangeroux!!! But I loves it. Just need to go with a fierce friend who loves me.

May 25, 2010 at 4:27 AM  
Anonymous Sid said...

I was wondering about taking photos in the casino. Going to a casino on Saturday - to watch a comedy show. I never go to the casino to gamble.

Hmmm maybe I'll give gambling a try?

May 25, 2010 at 6:11 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Savannah: Golf is a hell of a lot healthier than craps. At least you can get a tan. Some of the people at the craps table looked like vampires.

HIF: That is the healthy reaction to gambling. You're not missing a thing.

SAW: See above comment. Don't ever change.

Daisy: Mine are tame but things can go horribly wrong if I'm not careful. NOBODY is immune.

MIT: That's also a good name for the people shuffling around inside.

Scarlet: That sounds very old world and pleasant. I could enjoy that.

Dolce: What's your game, dear? The danger is the excitement. If you're not careful, it can all go horribly wrong. It's a test of your will power.

Sid: I recommend you enjoy the show but stay the hell away from the casino. No good can come from it. It's too late for me. I love it too much.

May 25, 2010 at 7:21 AM  
Blogger kyknoord said...

I gamble every day. I commute by motorcycle.

May 25, 2010 at 12:33 PM  
Blogger mapstew said...

Getting up on stage is a big enough gamble for me! (Though I do seem to make a little profit!) :¬)

May 25, 2010 at 8:47 PM  
Blogger Blues said...

Well as to fashion, Arizona must be one big casino.

May 30, 2010 at 9:58 AM  
Anonymous V. Poker said...

Some one who is used to play gambling or any thing else. They are always looking for substitute if the previous one is closed or disturbed.. Same scene is described here.But the good thing is that because of these internet cafes or so called online casino is providing good amount of employment.

June 2, 2010 at 12:05 PM  

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