Gadabout 2

Episode 2 - the Casino

We are at the Halifax casino, and we spend our spondulicks fast (American slang term for cash). This is not surprising because we have a meager budget of around 15 or 20 spondulicks each, except Richard who is always the exception to the rule. He spends 'just a little bit more', and Vina is the only  winner, keeping us on the gambling floor just long enough to do some people watching. 

The scene is not unfamiliar. We could be in downtown Dickson Tradies. From the ring of smokers at the entrance, their long strong outward breaths mixing with the fog, to the zombified faces in front of rolling poker machine screens,  addiction hangs in the air. This is not a 'high-end' casino.  Richard and I do a quick 'straw poll'. 1 Zimmer frame, 2 young chicks dressed to the nines in stiletto leopard pumps, 1 skimpy black dress, boobs falling loose around the ruffles, a family of four with 'twinset tracksuits'.   We count the number of polyester dresses drawn tight across oversized middle-aged midriffs. Lots of old people. 'Isn't it passed their bedtime?' I say to my people watching comrades. 'I can't see my granny teeterring on a poker machine stool, sipping free 'pop', wearing an adult diaper' (yes, I have it on good authority that avoiding the toilet by using an adult 'nappy' is  not an urban myth.)

I feel somewhat, well 'little', and almost stylish. (if you know me, while I attempt to be stylish, I am not 'small').  In comparison, the people are big (brobdignagian even). We're a small posse, the 'two Asian chicks', Vina and Evelyn, and me the honorary 'Asian chick' (well, I hail from that corner of the world). Include Richard, and together we are mini and well groomed, comparatively (which probably doesn't say much). The occasional 'fabulously gorgeous young things', dot the crowd, but Richard and I suspect they are 'hired in'. I muse about the 'blind-date' I was offered for the evening (but declined). I decide that the odds of scoring a 'good date' were on par with winning the jackpot at this casino. That is, statistically, according to Mike, 32,768. to 1.

But the Illuminated faces tell a different story. 'Some people here are even tied to the machines! Look!' says Richard with what I think is mock surprise. Turning to give him a friendly 'stop pulling my leg' whack on the arm, I see the bungee cord. There is...in fact...a person...attached by a cord to a poker machine (or slot machine as they call it 'ere). A female, sits stunned, alien- like, huge round bulging eyes. The eyes are intense, fluorescent, never blinking. The only movement is a well-timed flick of the wrist. Muffled sounds emanate from a small crevice between her lips. She glows, as if radioactive.

'What the?' Our small posse try not to stare. I inch backwards following the bungee cord with my eyes, and see a retractable cord, extending around her neck to a slot in the machine.  I assume the 'slot' encases a credit card, or frequent gamblers reward card or the like. 

I continue to be amused, for about an hour or two (a maximum attention span for a good gadabout). I see touch screen 'help stations', where you can choose from a variety of 'help' options (I.e, problem with gambling? Money problems? Need help?) followed by my favorite one, 'get cash instantly'. I'd like to add a fourth,  'all of the above'.

Now there's only so much free diet coke a girl can drink before the tiredness outweighs the caffeine. We go home empty handed, but I have satisfied my gadabout  needs for the day. I must rest-up for tomorrow's social adventures,  touring the wilds of Nova Scotia...