Hell found me the night I walked into the Golden Spike. Entering a sea of stale cigarette smoke, I walked across the floor determined not to stop until I reached the rest room, and listened to the ringing of the slots as they promised to pay, and pay big. Watching the suckers as they poured their last coins in, I saw desperation as it crept across their faces. And then it was over. They were finished for the night - or forever. I hurried past these poor, pathetic bastards, swearing I would not become one of them.
As I pushed my way through the crowd I felt a hand on my arm. I turned and looked into the green eyes of a woman with blond hair and the biggest tits I'd ever seen.
"Can I buy you a drink, handsome?" her big red lips said. As we moved across the room, she continued talking and at the same time steered me to the craps table. Smiling she pressed her body against mine.
"Drink?" she asked. I couldn't answer, couldn't think. The noise seemed to drown out any thoughts I might have had. The excitement started in my feet and worked its way up my legs, into my groin; my chest felt as though it was about to explode. My body felt alive for the first time in days. My sweaty hands started to tremble and I knew this was it. I cashed in my last crumpled hundred dollar bill and took my place at the table
The blond was back with a drink.. I placed my bet. The trembling stopped as soon as I took the dice.
"Come on seven!" And seven it was. She squealed and kissed my cheek. I was feeling lucky and placed again, this time doubling my bet.
"Snake eyes!" I cried, as the dice bounced down the green felt, and hit the bumper - snake eyes it was. I was hot, in fact I was on fire; there would be no stopping me. The night was mine, I would make it all back and my worries would be over.
The blond stood at my side, leaving only to replenish my drink. Watching my pile grow was a turn-on to end all turn-ons. I removed one chip and put it in my pocket. My pot was up to 150 grand and growing, the crowd, five deep around my table, cheered me on. I could do no wrong. "Let it ride," was all I said and called out my lucky number.
Then as quickly as she came, Lady Luck vanished taking my winnings, along with my hope. The crowd thinned and the blond was nowhere in sight. Remembering the chip in my pocket, I placed my bet. "Seven!" I screamed. The house won with a pair of two's. The blond was long gone, the crowd disappeared and I was left standing alone in my puddle of piss. The dealer pointed me towards the rest room. As I turned I bumped into the janitor with his mop and bucket. Hearing laughter as I made my way across the room, I kept my head down, wanting to be invisible. The wet stain on the front of my trousers would not yield to the daubing of the paper restroom towel. I turned and looked in the mirror, seeing a long drawn face and vacant eyes, and wondered, Who is this poor pathetic bastard staring back at me?
I made my way to the front of the casino and hurried out into the blistering sun. Only noon and already the hot air was thick with humidity, and I could barely catch my breath. The heat came up from the pavement, making it almost impossible to move my legs. I looked around the almost deserted street trying to decide which way to go, then realized it made absolutely no difference. I had nowhere to go. I moved closer to the building, hoping for some relief, but the small amount of shade did little good. I made my way to the corner and turned off the main drag.
Half way down the block was the Spike's loading dock. I found some empty space under the ramp and crawled in backwards on all fours. I hit the back wall, pushed my back up and tucked my knees in close to my chest. Christ it was hot, hotter than hell. I must have passed out and was awakened by something scratching my face I tried to open my eyes, but the scratching continued, making it almost impossible, The wetness on my cheeks ran down my neck and a strong stench burnt my nostrils. Then I heard the screeching noise and realized it was rats. My legs were numb from being bent for so long. Flailing my arms to drive away the rats, I managed to roll on my stomach and drag myself out.
Standing outside my hell hole, I remembered a place where I would be free from the chains that bound me. I hurried out to the street to get my bearings and walked the next few blocks as quickly as I could. Not only was my head pounding, but the stench of the rat piss on my upper body and my own urine soaked trousers, caused my stomach to convulse. I scurried along and then there she was, the beautiful American River. Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I walked slowly on the river bank, then sat and waited for everyone to leave, knowing that soon I would be out of the bowels of this hell, never to return....
