FICTION

The Compulsive GAMBLER

by EilEEN - 1.W.T

It was another one of those nights. He could throw a few sevens and once in a while he threw a cherished eleven, but let him "catch" a point and he'd seven out every time. The stack of chips which he had pur- chased for seventy five dollars had dwindled to less than ten dollars.

Martin Gray couldn't overcome the gambling fever. He won just often enough to keep the flame deep in his twenty-three-year old soul. Overseas he had won quite a bit of money because he knew the odds and played according to them, and because he was playing with less skilled gamblers. Now in this professional gambling hall in what is known as Orleans Parish, Louisiana, he had gone up against pros and was having a bad streak of luck.

The worst part of his losing for the third straight night was that he was losing in a house run by a beautiful woman. She was smiling but distant as he placed his "come" bet after throwing an eight. He tossed his last chip at the pretty boss lady who was cashier at this table. "Put it on two fours."

The first roll, which he made after blowing on the dice in his fists was acey-deuce or crap out. That cost him his "come bet" and the next

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