"this Jewish Starcraft player has been pulling down games with us even when he learned that we were all gentiles. But we can't seem to figure out why he keeps hogging all of the minerals..."
- mattzarella's The Pentagram Paradigm
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| Monty Pylon's Farewell Fic | | | Author: | | | IP: | gateway.XXXX | | Date: | 04/07/01 04:04 | | Game Type: | Other | | Labels: | none | | Report Rating: , # of Ratings: 1, Max: 8, Min: 8
Lifetime Rating for Monty Pylon: 6.0390 |  | Sadly, I must now make my exit from BR.com. I will be entering an intern position for my college and writing BR's and fic will no longer be encompassing my time. I am leaving this last fic as my farewell and hope it entertains those who have always liked my work. I find it fitting to be fiction and hope the story you are about to read is quite entertaining. I have done my best to try and provide a laugh or a good read and hope that this will follow in that "tradition". Please enjoy.
El Dorado
El Dorado, the legendary city made of gold. A city where the roads were paved with gold and silver, the temple was built from gold bricks and even the king was painted in golden dust. A place that thousands of men had searched for and a city that claimed thousands that wanted to glimpse it. It was rumored to stand deep in the Amazon Rainforest, the burial ground for many Spanish conquistadors who died in their vain search for the "lost city of gold". Nowadays, El Dorado holds a different meaning. It is no longer a fictional city, but it is the ultimate goal of wealth and prosperity. Everyone now quests for their "El Dorado" everywhere across the globe. The real city of gold is a small place in a rainforest made of sand and dust. It is the real city that never sleeps, Las Vegas.
Vegas was the final stop on my exodus from high school. After graduation, I packed my car with everything I had and was set to make my way in the world, I set out to find my El Dorado. I lived in jersey all my life and wanted to see what the world had to offer me. I left home with a duffel bag of cloths, my stereo, cd's and three thousand in cash. My parents put up little to no resistance and told me that I was welcomed back if things turned out for the worst. I left my house with a hug and a kiss from my mom and a hug from my dad. They knew that this was something I wanted to do and maybe something I had to do. The last thing I saw before I left was them, standing at the edge of the driveway waving good-bye.
My travels kept me going through nine states and eight miles from Las Vegas, my radiator quit. I walked to the nearest mechanic and got my car towed away. The shop was next to a crummy apartment building that was about ten blocks from the strip. I talked to the mechanic and found that my car would require more than a few simple repairs. Dave, the owner and head mechanic informed me, that I needed a new transmission. Unbeknownst to Dave, but I had three years of high school auto under my belt and I would make a similar inspection. The problem was, Dave was absolutely right. The transmission was shot to Hell and I was one thousand short of what I needed to pay for repairs. I explained my situation to Dave and he proposed an arrangement. He would let the car stay in his lot for as long as it took me to raise some money. He even offered to give me a job as both a janitor and mechanic for the shop. I thanked him for the offer, but said I needed a place to stay. Dave couldn't help me with that situation, but told me to talk with the guy who owned the apartment next to the shop.
I would end up talking to a Jake Barlett. A fat and sweaty guy, who worn bad suits and smoked cigars. He seemed to smell the desperation on me and offered me an apartment for a price that seemed a bit high for such a piece of shit apartment. I wanted to protest, but knew that this ass had managed to charge me the highest he could get, without charging more than any other hotel or building in the city. It was all I could afford at three hundred a month, an by my best estimates I had enough savings for three months rent, provided I didn't eat and left my car to rot.
That was about six months ago and I am still living in that rat nest. Dave was good to his word and I began working immediately. Dave was pretty good to me and gave me as much work as I could handle. I begged for more, but he just didn't have enough for me to do. Things got slow, so I got a second job at the MGM Grand. I worked as a bus boy for the buffet restaurant and made minimum wage with tips. Some days the work was long and hard, and at night I just thought about going home. I don't know why but I wouldn't give in and made my way through the days and weeks. I did fine for the first few months and was able to pay my rent and make payments for repairs on my car. My savings began to run low during the last two months and each week, my payments for car repair became less and less. Pretty soon most of my checks were going for my rent and I was able to give only a hundred each month for my car. Last month I talked to Dave and he told me I had another five hundred left to pay. I also had a talk with Jake, who informed me that the rent was due that week. I elected to pay for my car and my three hundred went to Dave. Needless to say, Jake was pissed and wanted his money. I told him I would get him the money as soon as possible and he told me I had a week. He also pointed out that I would now own him two months rent, a sum of six hundred dollars. I checked my bank account and found I had a whole ninety dollars left in the bank. My combined checks would give me a whopping one hundred and seven dollars before the deadline. Jake told me that if I did not have the money, he would kick me out that day. Now if I was a nineteen-year-old blonde girl instead of a nineteen-year-old guy from jersey, I knew exactly what I would do. Since neither Jake nor myself seemed to bend that way, my hopes of a deal were out of the question. My last hope was Dave, and I asked him for a loan. Dave said he was on hard times himself and he did not have the money to give. With my last hopes dashed, I grabbed all the money I had, one hundred and ninety seven dollars, and went for a walk.
My saving grace came to me as I walked along the Vegas strip. I picked a hotel and headed for my three-dollar all-you-can-eat dinner. I walked pasted the casino and watched as old ladies played the slot machines and no security guards watching the entrance. I knew the place had cameras everywhere, but the chances of them spotting me were next to none. I calmly walked over the nearest machine and pulled my tip change from my pockets. I slipped a quarter into the slot and heard the distinct rattle as it deposited. I looked around and saw that the coast was clear and turned quickly back to the bandit. I reached up and pulled the handle to set the wheels in motion and took a deep breath. I nervously looked around and told myself to calm down. I looked to the machine and saw two cherries and a lime slam into place. The machine flashed its celebratory lights and played a little jiggle signaling my win. A load of coins dumped into the tray and I was both ecstatic and cautious. One elderly woman turned to me and congratulated my win. I thanked her and saw a pair of security guards headed my way. I brushed my coins into a plastic cup and turned to leave. A big hand on my shoulder halted my departure and I slowly turned to see a very large security guard with a friend in tow.
"Excuse me sir. May I see some identification?"
"Sure, no problem."
I fumbled through my wallet and pulled out the fake I.D. I used to get drinks during my senior year. The guard inspected the card and handed it back to me.
"Sorry about that sir. We have to careful in such a crowded casino."
"I understand completely, your just doing your job."
"Enjoy your time here sir."
"Thank you, I will."
With that, the guard turned and headed back with his friend. I put the I.D. back in my wallet and was careful not to smile. I grabbed my cup of quarters and went deeper into the casino. I past the roulette tables and saw a large set of tables that were roped off from the rest of the casino floor. I asked a nearby gambler what the tables were and I was told that these were the poker tables. My eyes lit up at the mention of poker and knew how my financial problems were going to be solved. I was a fairly good player and knew that I could win. I ventured forward and found an open table, I sat down and looked at my competition. There were five players at the table and I immediately began sizing up my opponents. On the far end was an old woman with thick glasses and a wool shawl. She reminded me of the really old woman from Stop or My Mom Will Shoot. Next to her was a middle-aged man in a gray suit. He seemed to be eyeing the competition as well and I had a feeling he was the man to watch. Next to me was a young guy, probably out of college, who seem really excited to be there. He seemed like the least likely threat and I gave him no concern. To my left was a woman in a green dress and a mixed drink. She was in her late twenties and had a killer body. The solid diamond wedding ring on her finger meant she was somebody's leech and my chances with her stopped at staring. The last person at the table was a woman in her thirties, she had a strong drink in her hand and a cigarette in the other. She had on the waitress outfit but her tie was undone and her shirt had the top two buttons open. My first impression of her was a washed up dancer who settled for being a waitress. The dealer sat down and greeted everyone with a nod of the head and a hello. He placed his deck in the loader and began converting cash to chips.
The game was seven-card stud and I had little time to adjust. Unlike the games I played with my friends, this game had no wilds. You are dealt three cards first, two down and one up. From their you bet for an additional card with each card except the seventh dealt up. The seventh card is dealt down and there is a final bet. I also found that the dealer does not play against you and merely deals the cards. This was good because I was always told you couldn't beat the house. I took out my wad of cash and had it converted to chips. Once I was ready the initial bet was called. I found that the minimum bet at this table was ten dollars and began to think what I had gotten into. I tossed in a ten chip as did everyone else. When the last bet was cast the dealer dealt the first cards.
I watched as the cards were handed out and felt a little dizzy as I prepared to risk everything on this plan. I looked down to see a jack of spades and two down cards. I looked my cards over and saw I had a jack of spades, a jack of clubs and a ten of spades. I hid my smiles as I saw the obvious possibilities for a full house. I looked over to see that the old woman had a seven of diamonds showing and the man in the suit had an eight of hearts. The college guy next to me had a ten of clubs showing with the blonde next to me showing an ace of hearts. The waitress on the end had a slight smile and a jack of diamonds showing.
Damn. She had a jack that I needed. It wasn't the end of the world but this was my life here. The old woman started the first round of betting. She looked at her cards and dropped in one ten chip. The man in the suit decided to play it cautious and dropped in a ten of his own. The college guy and myself took the same road and dropped in our respective ten spots. The blonde took a while but finally decided to just bet ten, as did the waitress. The dealer dealt another card and my luck kept on getting better. I now had a ten of diamonds to join its brethren and was just two away from my full house. The old woman was given a king of clubs and chose to fold right then and there. She left the table and wandered off towards the slot machines, now twenty dollars lighter. The man in the suit was given a queen of hearts and gave a slight smirk. I knew he had something good and I bet he thought the same of me. The college guy received a three of diamonds and the blonde was given a king of diamonds. She gave a small sigh and I had a feeling she was not going to make it to the seventh card. The waitress had been given a jack of hearts. I began to curse again as I saw another one of my precious cards fall into the hands of the enemy.
The betting for the next card began as the man in the suit placed down twenty in chips. I had expected this move and knew that in the end it would be me and the man in the suit. The college guy was not hesitant to add his own twenty to the pot and neither was I. I watched the man in the suit eyed the pile of chips and I could tell he felt the game would soon be his. The blonde dropped in her own twenty and we all waited for the waitress to follow suit. The waitress had other plans and bet thirty on her cards. It was risky and we were not sure if she was bluffing, crazy or had the hand to beat. The betting again circled the table with each player adding another ten to the pot. The dealer dealt the next round with our eager anticipation around him.
I was awarded a queen of spades and felt my stomach twist. How the Hell can I win without a ten? The man in the suit received an ace of diamonds and also looked a bit worried. Whatever he had, it was riding on a few select cards and we only had two more chances to get the hands we needed. The college guy drew a deuce of diamonds and his smile was so wide I wanted to kick his teeth in. The blonde was given a six of spades and the waitress received the king of hearts. Both of the women looked disappointed and I laughed a small laugh as the waitress shook her head at her luck.
The dealer called for the next bet and the man in the suit started at twenty. The college guy saw the twenty and raised it another ten. What the Hell is this? Since when did he have a good hand? I felt compelled to call this blatant lie and dropped thirty into the pile. The blonde elected to fold and left our table in search of her loaded husband. The ranks of the table were growing thin and the waitress decided to call the bet at thirty. The bet swung back to the man in the suit and he added another ten to the pot.
The dealer handed out the second to last cards and we all concentrated on our next choices. I was dealt the king of spades and I felt terrible. I had one last chance to get the ten I needed and if I didn't I would have lost nearly all my money. The man in the suit had claimed an eight of diamonds and had no expression on his face. I tried to read if he had the crushing blow or if he was just as scared as me. The college guy pulled in a queen of diamonds and now his face had stopped smiling. I was sort of happy that he didn't get the hand he wanted and hoped the man in the suit took him for all he was worth. The waitress drew a seven of clubs and she too had an expression of uncertainty on her face. The betting began with the man in the suit betting twenty. I was sure that he still had the hand that he thought could win the table. The college guy checked and the bet would pass over him so he could think. I called the man in the suit and his twenty, as did the waitress. The bet returned to the college guy and he immediately raised the bet another twenty. The asshole had check bet us, he just wanted to see what we were willing to bet! I was about to put my foot down and raised his forty-dollar bet to a eighty-dollar bet. I was sure I could bluff these people even if I didn't get what I needed. The waitress was ready to go and the man in the suit looked like he was done too. The waitress called my bet, as did the man in the suit and the college guy. I was about to see if I had just made a huge mistake as the last cards were dealt out.
The last cards were all face down and each player peeked to see his fortune. I saw the symbol of the ace and knew that I had lost. I needed a ten for the full house and I didn't get it. The looks of the others read the same and the betting began. The old man started at twenty and the college guy immediately raised it to thirty. I called at thirty, but the waitress raised the bet to forty. The man in the suit, as if the strike the final blow, raised the bet to seventy. The college guy thought about it and called. I didn't have enough and pushed all my remaining chips to the table.
"I'm all in."
Those words were the worst things I could have hoped to say. I was broke and I was sure to lose. The waitress called the bet and we all waited to see who would emerge the victor.
The waitress went first and revealed a full house of seven's over jacks. I stared at those jacks and hated her for taking my victory away from me. If only I had those jacks, I would have the game. The man in the suit went next and to my surprise, he had a full house of queens over eight's. He his hand beat the waitress and I felt as if justice had been served. I knew he was a good player the moment I saw him and wanted to shake his hand later. The college guy again smiled and turned his cards over. There before us was a flush made of diamonds. The deuce of diamonds, the three of diamonds, the four of diamonds, the six of diamonds and the queen of diamonds all stared back at us with impunity. I was speechless, I would have never thought that this guy had this hand. He was smiling like an idiot the whole time and would have scared people off from betting.
"Yes sir, read em and weep. I had this the fifth card and I got each and every one of you."
The table was shocked and I felt bad for the man in the suit who could just stared at the cards. I knew I had nothing, but wanted to show what I had to the man in the suit at least.
"All I have is the jack of clubs, ten of spades, jack of spades, queen of spades, king of spades and ….ace of spades."
"It didn't hit me until I had fanned all the cards out together. I had a royal, I got a royal flush. I stood up and started yelling over the casino.
"I got a royal flush! I can't believe I got a royal!"
A small crowd gathered around and those around congratulated me. I began to count my winnings as the college guy ranted in disbelief.
"A fucking royal, I don't fucking believe it! I get a flush and he gets a fucking royal! This is bullshit!"
I paid little attention to him and realized I had not only enough for two months rent and the car, but I had six hundred left for me. I was more than ecstatic and began to collect together my money. A small tap on the shoulder and I was face to face with a small man in suit.
"Congratulations sir. I hate to bother you, but we will need to see some identification."
"No problem."
I pulled out my fake I.D. and handed it to the man expecting an apology like before. Instead I got an apology, but not like before.
"I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid we have to escort you from the building. This I.D. is fake, I'm afraid you can't claim that money."
The chips were given back to the college guy and he proceeded to celebrate his victory. Two guards escorted me to the front doors of the casino. I was let outside and walked home a broken and defeated man. That night I called my mom and told her what happened. They sent me money and bought me a ticket for the long train ride to jersey. My car was loaded on the train and would be repaired as soon as I got home. I would not return to Las Vegas for five years. In that time I went to college and got a real job and a real place to live. One day I'll return, but for now, El Dorado will have to wait.
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