Wednesday, December 27, 2017

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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.




Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and Ted Strutz for the photo.

60 comments:

  1. it's a strategy, not a good one, but definitely a strategy

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    1. He fears that the day he bets on twenty will be the day the ball lands on ninteen. cheers Neil.

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  2. Dear Keith,

    I'd say this man has a serious problem and needs help before he ends up in a bread line. Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  3. Oy. Compulsive gambling, for sure. Good take on the prompt, Keith.

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  4. Lovely 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!

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    1. You 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!

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  5. I have a friend who has been buying lottery tickets every week for years. She has never won anything. I just shake my head.

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    1. The week she stops will be the week her numbers come up - that I believe is the fear they have. Thanks Denise.

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  6. Over and over again. That's true addiction for you. Well done.

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  7. It seems that he has it under control... he only gambles the money he has... it can be worse.

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    1. Hopefully it will remain that way, but often one thing leads to another. Cheers brudberg.

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  8. So sad, If he’d invested that money all of those years, he’d have a bit of a nest egg.

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    1. Sadly he believes thast by playing on he'll end up with an even bigger nest egg. Cheers mimi.

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  9. We live in hope. If you don't enter, you can't win...

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  10. Sounds 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.

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    1. Sadly you are right in everything you say. Thaks so much for your comment Christine.

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  11. Sadly, 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.

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  12. He should learn his lesson that gambling never helps..good story

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    1. I don't think that's going to happen Balaka. Tank you.

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  13. Come 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.

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    1. There are two ways at looking at this and you have covered them both! Thanks Anurag.

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  14. Poor chap. I hope he manages to break the endless cycle.

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  15. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose - I don't think he knows this piece of advice. Nicely told

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    1. He may know it, but he can't manage to take it. Such is the nature of addiction. Cheers Lynn

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  16. Is it any wonder gambling halls are always rich? Poor guy. He's fallen into that psychological trap that all gambling halls want people in.

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  17. Ah, the awful fate of the addicted gambler. Well written, Keith.

    I'm going to resume writing stories with FF in the New Year.
    Happy Christmas!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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    1. Time to get back in in practice - soon be A-z time again! Cheers Susan.

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  18. You have captured the desperation and helplessness of the gambler really well, Keith.
    Wonderfully written.

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  19. Many addicted gamblers know they have a problem... just don't want it fixed. Well done, Keith.

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  20. This story is so true for those who believe their fate lies outside themselves. You told the story well.

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  21. The story of a gambler. Unfortunately 19 isn't likely to occur as often as other numbers. I fear for his life.

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  22. Sad. Then many of us do have compulsive obsessions!

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    1. We do, but not always as expensive! Thank you.

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  23. Well 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.

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    1. Many players of the lottery use the same numbers each week too! Cheers Michael.

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  24. I like the way you worked the roulette wheel in with the vicious circle of his life. Very nicely done. Happy New Year, Keith.

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  25. it's hope that keeps him going. once he loses it, he's good as dead.

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  26. Since I tuned into the "Law of Attraction" (Pam Grout), I have mostly ceases lottos and casinos.
    Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/27/friday-fictioneers-lifes-cycle/
    Scott

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    1. I'm not familiar with it - must look it up! Cheers Scott

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  27. You gotta stick with that number. The law of averages is in his favor.

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    1. That's exactly what he thinks - one day! Thanks Dawn.

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  28. Keep betting, keep playing, It is a a never ending cycle for many.

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  29. It 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

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    1. There was so much more I could have added had I been given a hundred more words to play with! Thank you.

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  30. I think if it does roll on to 19 he would very likely have a heart attack :D Very nicely conceived Keith

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