Post 1658. Wednesday December 27
Friday Fictioneers
He slid his last remaining chips across the baize to square nineteen, just as he did every Friday. He watched the roulette wheel spin in one direction as the ball rolled in the other.
Such was his life, always going against the flow in the hope that one day, just one day a twist of fate would land him where he yearned to be.
Once again he went home penniless and would remain so until next payday when he would do it all over again. One day surely the roulette wheel would become his wheel of fortune and nineteen his lucky number.
Such was his life, always going against the flow in the hope that one day, just one day a twist of fate would land him where he yearned to be.
Once again he went home penniless and would remain so until next payday when he would do it all over again. One day surely the roulette wheel would become his wheel of fortune and nineteen his lucky number.
Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and Ted Strutz for the photo.
it's a strategy, not a good one, but definitely a strategy
ReplyDeleteHe fears that the day he bets on twenty will be the day the ball lands on ninteen. cheers Neil.
DeleteDear Keith,
ReplyDeleteI'd say this man has a serious problem and needs help before he ends up in a bread line. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I think you are right Rochelle!
DeleteOy. Compulsive gambling, for sure. Good take on the prompt, Keith.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Linda.
DeleteLovely fluent writing, Keith. That one little phrase "always going against the flow" transforms this from a simple piece about a gambler into a metaphor for what many non-conformists do with their lives. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou can never be sure if little phrases such as this get noticed unless someone mentions them in a a comment such as yours Penny, so thank you!
DeleteI have a friend who has been buying lottery tickets every week for years. She has never won anything. I just shake my head.
ReplyDeleteThe week she stops will be the week her numbers come up - that I believe is the fear they have. Thanks Denise.
DeleteOver and over again. That's true addiction for you. Well done.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is. Thank you Sandra
DeleteIt seems that he has it under control... he only gambles the money he has... it can be worse.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will remain that way, but often one thing leads to another. Cheers brudberg.
DeleteSo sad, If he’d invested that money all of those years, he’d have a bit of a nest egg.
ReplyDeleteSadly he believes thast by playing on he'll end up with an even bigger nest egg. Cheers mimi.
DeleteWe live in hope. If you don't enter, you can't win...
ReplyDeleteSo true! Cheers Iain
DeleteSounds like he's aware there's something really wrong when he sees his life as always going against the flow, but winning money is the only solution he can see. And that's where your story is a very sad one; we all know he'll never win. And if he does, his winnings will be poured back into more games.
ReplyDeleteSadly you are right in everything you say. Thaks so much for your comment Christine.
DeleteSadly, I don't think number nineteen is ever going to come up for him, but you're right he will continue to bet on it, because he's scared the day he doesn't will be the day it wins.
ReplyDeleteSpot on Clare! Thanks so much.
DeleteHe should learn his lesson that gambling never helps..good story
ReplyDeleteI don't think that's going to happen Balaka. Tank you.
DeleteCome to think of it, if he HAS to gamble, this is as good a strategy as any. The only problem is, even if he wins one day, I don't think he will be able to let go of this addiction.
ReplyDeleteThere are two ways at looking at this and you have covered them both! Thanks Anurag.
DeletePoor chap. I hope he manages to break the endless cycle.
ReplyDeleteI second that. Cheers Alistair.
DeleteNever gamble more than you can afford to lose - I don't think he knows this piece of advice. Nicely told
ReplyDeleteHe may know it, but he can't manage to take it. Such is the nature of addiction. Cheers Lynn
DeleteIs it any wonder gambling halls are always rich? Poor guy. He's fallen into that psychological trap that all gambling halls want people in.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. Thanks EA
DeleteAh, the awful fate of the addicted gambler. Well written, Keith.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to resume writing stories with FF in the New Year.
Happy Christmas!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Time to get back in in practice - soon be A-z time again! Cheers Susan.
DeleteYou have captured the desperation and helplessness of the gambler really well, Keith.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully written.
That's so kind of you moon.
DeleteMany addicted gamblers know they have a problem... just don't want it fixed. Well done, Keith.
ReplyDeleteA vicious circle. Thanks so much Dale.
DeleteThis story is so true for those who believe their fate lies outside themselves. You told the story well.
ReplyDeleteMany do, sadly. Thanks so much Susan.
DeleteThe story of a gambler. Unfortunately 19 isn't likely to occur as often as other numbers. I fear for his life.
ReplyDeleteIs that a fact? I'll tell him!!! Thanks Irene
DeleteSad. Then many of us do have compulsive obsessions!
ReplyDeleteWe do, but not always as expensive! Thank you.
DeleteWell you need a system, even if his is very unsophisticated. Logic says it'll come up eventually, it's whether he can last out until it does.
ReplyDeleteMany players of the lottery use the same numbers each week too! Cheers Michael.
DeleteI like the way you worked the roulette wheel in with the vicious circle of his life. Very nicely done. Happy New Year, Keith.
ReplyDeleteVery kind of you.thanks Alicia
Deleteit's hope that keeps him going. once he loses it, he's good as dead.
ReplyDeleteRegretably this is true Cheers plaidel
DeleteSince I tuned into the "Law of Attraction" (Pam Grout), I have mostly ceases lottos and casinos.
ReplyDeleteMine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/27/friday-fictioneers-lifes-cycle/
Scott
I'm not familiar with it - must look it up! Cheers Scott
DeleteYou gotta stick with that number. The law of averages is in his favor.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what he thinks - one day! Thanks Dawn.
DeleteKeep betting, keep playing, It is a a never ending cycle for many.
ReplyDeleteSadly this is so. Thanks Susie
DeleteIt sounds like he lives alone and has no one to answer to. Possibly he's a loner or his family left because they couldn't stand his gambling problem. He needs help. Good writing, Keith. ---- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThere was so much more I could have added had I been given a hundred more words to play with! Thank you.
DeleteI think if it does roll on to 19 he would very likely have a heart attack :D Very nicely conceived Keith
ReplyDeleteA very good point Dahlia!
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