THE GAMBLER

GAMBLING

I AM VERY WARY OF GAMBLING

AS A TEENAGER I USED TO PLAY THE ‘FRUITIES’ IN THE PUB

WHEN I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO DRINK

I FOUND MYSELF DOING BOTH

AFTER ONE SESSION ON THE MACHINE

MY FRIEND ASKED ME

“HOW MUCH DID YOU PUT IN THERE”

“DUNNO, ABOUT TWELVE QUID”

“WE’RE IN A PUB; THAT’S FOUR PINTS YOU COULD HAVE HAD.”

YES IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.

MORE IMPORTANTLY; I HAVE NEVER GAMBLED SINCE.

I AM STRICTLY AN ALCOHOLIC.