Lucky Bob A fictional story about poker

Poker Discussion
22

Another great chapter my friend. Thank you :sunglasses:

2 Likes
23

Greetings Joda,
If you like writing about card players, gamblers, gambling history, fiction / non-fiction you name it… If you enjoy that as much as I enjoy reading your material… Then maybe with some new and or different Ideas from inside the business looking out… As they would say back in the day in the flat stores and saw dust joints… All the squares and suckers out there, with pockets full of hundreds…/
With the way you tear it up on your writing paper, ( figuratively ), you certainly won’t need much of a nudge with a few good story lines from an old timer. We can think up and structure some sort of collaboration system or style with regards to Ideas and perhaps story lines if you and i are both are comfortable with it… With your writing skills Joda, and me being able to share a lot of stuff that’s well over 7 year old or they may have passed away by now…

Perhaps you can send me a friend request if you’re interested Joda…:
Rail-Bird :sunglasses:

25

Rail-BirdThanks for your interest and compliments on my writing. At this time I am becoming very occupied with moving, and opening a new art gallery here in Italy this spring.

Joseph engraver Via Giovanni Falcone, 21 19037 Santo Stefano di Magra, Italia

Craig_Anthony
August 18 |

Are you soliciting a business proposition on the forums? I don’t think it’s allowed especially from a Player Representative.

I got all jacked up a few weeks ago by ownership here for doing that.

Just sayin…

Visit Topic or reply to this email to respond.

In Reply To

Rail-Bird Player Rep
August 18 |

Greetings Joda, If you like writing about card players, gamblers, gambling history, fiction / non-fiction you name it… If you enjoy that as much as I enjoy reading your material… Then maybe with some new and or different Ideas from inside the business looking out… As they would say back in the d…
Visit Topic or reply to this email to respond.

To unsubscribe from these emails, click here.

1 Like
26

Thanks Joda,
I’ll be looking forward to your full return and maybe some updates on the Art Gallery if you can. I will send you my email and hope you can forward some pics of the gallery and your oeuvre… I Have gone to many smaller galleries and museums my whole life. I also was able to go and see dozens of times, Steve Wynn’s personal art collection he had at the Bellagio before it started to be disassembled and sold off. When you go in, they would up sell you into a head set. Then when you went to one of the many pieces and displays. you could push a button and you could listen to the story of that piece. I couldn’t stay out of there. I’d go to play poker or to have dinner and I’d always end up in there… I’m not an artist myself, but I sure am drawn to it…:sunglasses:

I’d like to use this if it’s ok…
“Life’s very short, never waste it complaining about bad beats”.

27

“Gina, this day with you has been a breath of fresh air for me. I never do much other than play poker and paint my thoughts o“n canvass. The truth is I am tired of that life and am looking for a more fulfilling way to live.” We sat in silence, and then she said, “I am having a wonderful time with you, and I am also lonely and tired of the casino.” Then she went silent, and put her hand on my arm.
“Gina, when I bought those earrings I bought them specifically for you. I have thought about you more often than you know. Some of the things I admire about you are the fact that you have principals, and are loyal to your dog. Those two things are very hard to find in this world.”

“Joe, I hope you like spaghetti with bolognaise sauce and Chianti wine because that is what we are having for our first dinner date. My house is that one over there and the guests are waiting. I could have driven here but I thought you would like the walk and the sunset.”
Jack was already on the porch drinking more water and staring at his empty food dish when we got to the front door. “Joe, before you go in and make yourself at home, please take off your boots.” Meanwhile I will feed the monster.” She unlocked the door, switched on the lights, turned and went out to feed Jack.
I stood in my stockings inside the doorway I knew instantly why, and I also knew why the dog slept outside. The house was a masterpiece of construction and interior decoration. The first thing I saw was the huge plate glass window that overlooked the panoramic view of Las Vegas in the valley below. The floors were fitted planks of red Oak, sanded and finished to a warm Sienna color with bright Navajo rugs setting the palette of complimentary tones to match the cedar log walls and the exposed vaulted ceiling. The only piece of furniture in it was a large sofa bed .This was a house a woman would love but not one a woman would design.
At that moment Gina came in, she walked up to me, put her arm around my waist and said; “My brother Jack built this. It was to be his showpiece; he wanted to make his mark as an architect and builder. He was planning to marry his college sweet heart, settle here and have his studio upstairs.
Then he and his National Guard unit were sent to Afghanistan. He was killed there by a road side bomb. Now it is mine, it is too big for me, and the taxes are more than I can afford on my salary from the casino. I am going to put it up for sale as soon as I find the courage. Come with me and let me show you the rest of his dream.”
I did not know what to say, so I said nothing and kissed her. She took my hand and we went up the hand carved spiral staircase .On the second floor there was only two rooms, A small bathroom with a glass enclosed shower and a large unfurnished open space with majestic views of the mountains to the north, the desert to the south and Vegas to the west. “This was to be Jacks studio; I never come up here or touched it since he was killed. Both my mom and dad can’t bring themselves to come here .The loss of his only son has emotionally destroyed dad. My poor mom comes to visit, but even she wants me to sell and move back down to Las Vegas.”
I could not help myself from thinking that this space would be a perfect studio for me to find inspiration. “Gina, have you had this place appraised by a real estate company or a bank?”She shook her head; I looked at her and saw tears were flowing down her cheeks. That was the moment I knew I was really in love, but I held my thoughts to myself as I gave her the handkerchief with the dolphin embroidered on it to wipe away her tears. She looked at it, smelling its fading perfume, smiled and said, “Let´s go down, I want to show you the kitchen that I designed and then later the rest of the house.”
“Gina I need to know something, where are the other guests?” She suddenly laughed, the beautiful smile returned. Then she kissed me full on my lips, and whispered in my ear. “There are none Joe.
This is a private dinner for only you and me. I hope you are hungry; I fixed a lot of pasta. ”
I was expecting the kitchen to be spacious with every tool and gadget known to womanhood on display, instead I was surprised at the compactness of the cooking area and how Gina had designed its lay out. The gleaming counter tops were made of a mixture of red, black, and grey crushed and polished granite that complimented the brushed stainless steel counters and the Ivory colored tile floor. They were meant for serious cooking, and they would last forever. The dining table in the adjacent alcove had a smoked glass top that sat on a welded frame of brushed stainless steel with six matching white leather covered chairs, a large smoked sliding glass window led to a terrace overlooking the city of Vegas. It was obvious that this woman had class. The aroma of fresh baked focaccia bread and the simmering pasta sauce told me that this woman also knew how to cook. She opened the window, took my hand and led me out to the terrace “You sit out here and enjoy the view, while I finish cooking the pasta, set the table and decant the wine.”
I am sitting there looking up at the stars, wondering what to say and what to do about this growing feeling I have developed for Gina. Suddenly I feel the dog sniffing my toes, I am not sure if he finds them appetizing or disgusting, I freeze, not knowing what will happen to my feet. Then the dog puts his head on my lap, looks at me, and then wags his stub of a tail. I decide to pet his head and say to him “Hi Jack you are a good dog.” Instantly he lies down, curls up and places his head on my feet and goes to sleep. In two minutes he is snoring. I don’t dare to move, so I wait for Gina to come to my rescue.
I hear Gina ask me if I want a glass of wine before we eat, I whisper “yes please,” The dog opens his eyes looks up at me then instantly goes back to sleep. When Gina walks out onto the veranda, the dog suddenly gets up and goes to her, his tail and whole body wagging. “Jack, what are you doing out here, this is a private dinner, you know that you are not allowed to be here .Now you go to your bed and don’t be a pain to us.”The transformation was amazing; his tail stopped wagging, He lowered his eyes, turned around, and then disappears into the dark. “I hope you don’t think I am too hard on him Joe, I love him, but he is a dog, and all dogs need to be reminded they have to obey.
Come in and let us eat, I am famished and when I am really hungry I can be a bit grouchy.”
“Thanks for warning me Gina, The last thing I want in my life is a grouchy woman. I promises to never let you be hungry, is there anything else I should know about you? I don’t like unpleasant surprises. ” She smiled and said, “ Let’s eat before to pasta gets cold, I don’t like cold Spaghetti and yes there are a couple of important things you need to know, but they can wait…
The table was set with white china, stainless flatware, and inexpensive wine glasses on bamboo place mats, all these indicated to me that Gina was not a woman of expensive tastes. She said, “You sit there so you can have the best view.” I did as she asked saying as I sat down. “Right know you are the only view I want to look at, you are beautiful wearing that apron.” She actually blushed as she poured the Chianti in our glasses, and then served the pasta. “I hope you like it; I don’t cook very often for others. As a matter of fact no one has eaten here since Jack was killed.”
I felt honored and surprised at Gina´s candor, I raised my glass and then said. “Here is to your brother Jack, he was a fine Architect, thank you Gina for inviting me here tonight.”
As we ate and drank the wine, Gina asked me about the handkerchief and was it from a girlfriend? “No it was a gift from a casino hat check girl I met in Paris, France and gave my Stetson to, because her smile reminded me of you”. Again she blushed, and then asked about Paris?
I spent the next hour telling her about my trip, Moss, the murder, and Lucky Bob, while she cleared the table. She was about to wash the dishes when I asked her if I could help. “You most certainly cannot Joe, but you can bring me coffee and breakfast toast in bed in the morning.
Now, I want a nice hot bath and have you scrub my back, then put on something sexy and go to bed with you.
Oh! I think now is the time to tell the other two important things about me you should know. The first is I am a very passionate woman. The second is I like to sleep in the morning until eight. ” What could I say but; “I make great toast, I do like your idea. And I am not a late sleeper.” Then I remembered the perfume in my camera case. “I have been saving another gift for you Gina. You start the water for your bath and I will bring it to you.” I had to smile at the thought of Alfonso and his hundred dollars worth of advice.

1 Like
28

THANK YOU…:sunglasses:
Hope the move is going good my friend… Great start too by the way. I went to help a management team go in and open a new casino in Mesquite, Nevada. It’s a little border town next to Utah on I-80… It’s only an hour away, 80 miles. Whenever you took that trip at night you would come to this place that crests over a large hill, The view is just as you described Joda. Panoramic & breathtaking…

29

I entered the main and very spacious bathroom; Gina was sitting in a Jacuzzi, clouds of pink foam swirling around her. She laughed at me, and then she said. “Why don’t you undress, then you and Mr. Twinkle can join me, there is room here for the three of us.
I love this perfume, and stop looking so confused; I told you I had a surprise for you, I can see how Mister Twinkle is starting to take a shine to my idea”.
Lucky Bob had told me once. “Never start doing something for a woman, that you don´t want to do for the rest of your life.” Following his advice I said. “Before I climb in with you Gina there is something you need to know. I like a woman to bring me coffee in bed on the weekends”. She nodded her head said, “We have a deal, if you don´t mind sleeping on the sofa tonight, It is only furniture in the house. Now you better get in here with me because Mr. Twinkle has just now grown into Mister Majestic.”

Later that night it was impossible for me to sleep, my mind kept going over the events of this extraordinary experience. I thought about the possibilities of a life totally different than the one I have been living for the last fifteen years. I had more than enough money to make Gina a permanent part of my future and could afford to buy and furnish this house.
As the morning sunlight began to filter across the room, I studied outline of Gina´s face. At that moment she awoke, reached out to me and put her head on my chest, smiled then kissed me and said, “Good morning Mr. Majestic, I like espresso with milk and sugar, and toast with butter and strawberry jam please. You will find everything in the fridge and the cabinet over the sink.” I dressed, and made her breakfast, when I brought it to her she asked me what my plans for the day were. “Well to tell you the truth, my plans are to examine the rest of the house. Call The Appraisers of Las Vegas today and find out exactly what this house is worth Gina , Then call my investment banker. That is if you approve, of course. Then tonight I want to take you to my penthouse that has a very comfortable bed and much later fix you dinner.”
“Joe you have convinced me, I think it is a wonderful plan .But what about Jack?” The answer came to me in a flash. “I´ll tell the doorman he is my long lost cousin, and if he expects a Christmas bonus he will immediately see the family resemblance.” Still naked, she jumped of the sofa. “Jack, oh my God! I forgot all about him, he needs to go for his morning walk and do his thing.”She kissed me, got dressed, then went out the door, leaving the lingering fragrance of French perfume behind her.
While she took the dog for a walk, I went exploring the house, as I did, I hoped that one day it would be my home, and the poker playing days were coming to an end. It was time for me to show her my private world away from the Casino´s.
It was late in the afternoon when we drove up to the entrance to The Stardust Penthouse.
The doorman looked at the jeep, and then the dog sitting in the back seat. Before he said no, I gave him a twenty dollar bill and said. “He is housebroken and goes where she goes, and she is going up to my penthouse, would you please park this jeep,”… At the elevator the dog jumped on board as if he had done so all his life. But when the doors closed and the lift started to move he went into total panic mode and stayed that way until the doors reopened. He remained frozen in the back, and no amount of coaxing would make him move. I saw it was soon going to be a case of me mopping up his urine; I picked him up, straining my back and carried him to the entrance to my apartment. As soon as his feet hit the floor he tucked his tail between his legs and lay down as if he was rescued from a shipwreck.
I shook my head “Gina, when we leave, you are going to walk him down. There is no way he is ever going to get on this elevator again.” I open the penthouse door, the dog never moved, I decided to leave him where he was. “Gina you tell him to stay put and guard the door. Right now i really want to show you my nice comfortable bed, and later my paintings.” I briefly thought of carrying her to the bedroom. Then reason and my back overcame lust, so I said, “Please come on in.”
Even with all the laughter, the groaning, the moaning and bed squeaking, the dog never moved.

1 Like
30

The Stardust Hotel & Casino was my first casino job in the late spring of 1970…

31

Later, I took Gina into my studio. The reaction she had to my work was more than I had hoped for. “Oh Joe these are wonderful. You have such a unique style, this need to be seen by the public. I have a friend who is well connected in the California art markets. I am positive she will be as enthusiastic as I am and will put your work into a very well known gallery.” Flattery has always been one of my weaknesses. I gave her another kiss on her neck and said, “I want to fix you diner here tonight, first we need to do a bit of shopping. Do you think we can get the dog back on the elevator?”
As we left the apartment the dog got up and greeted us with tail wagging, and yelps of happiness as he ran around us in circles. When the lift stopped and the doors opened with a silent swoosh, Gina said to the dog. “Come on Jack, we are going for a ride in the Jeep.” Those were the magic words. He ran into the waiting elevator, and then he sat impatiently waiting for us to follow. In the lobby we found the doorman dozing, he awoke with a start when I asked for him to bring Gina´s jeep out front. The jeep arrived five minutes later; I was about to open its door, when the dog bared his fangs, then started barking at the doorman as he got out.
I hear Gina say “Stop it Jack, he is a friend.” That is all it took, the dog looked at Gina, wagged his tail then waited for her to let him in to the Jeep. “Joe do you want to drive?” I shook my head, “No thanks Gina.” She looked at me smiled and said, “Don’t tell me you can´t drive with a manual transmission, city boy?” She was right, I had no idea how to shift and use the clutch, and I was not about to try. “Gina as a matter of fact I have not owned a car in a long time, living down town Vegas has benefits.
I walk to the casinos, I eat at their restaurants, and if I want to go somewhere else I take a cab.
No car, no insurance, no maintenance, no parking problems and no flat tires. Actually I don´t have a valid driving license, haven´t had one for several years.
Now you drive straight down the Avenue, turn left at the first light, there is a Safeway market and a liquor store there .I want to get something special for our dinner, and I want you to stay with the dog while I shop. Maybe you should take Jack for a walk; I am sure by now he needs to find a friendly tree.” I got out, kissed her, patted the dog on his head, then walked across the parking lot and went shopping. A half hour later I had two fillets of fresh yellow fin tuna, Belgian endive, tomatoes, soy sauce, a pint of Ben &Jerry´s chocolate ice cream and a good bottle of French champagne. As I walked out the door I saw Gina and the dog coming towards me.
Then I heard someone say “Hey Wilson, I have been looking for you.”
I did not recognize him without the sunglasses until it was too late , his fist crushed the cartilage in my nose. I dropped the groceries when he drove his elbow into my eye socket, the pain knocking me to the ground.
In a daze I heard Gina scream. “ Get him Jack,” That is when he kicked me, breaking ribs and rupturing my spleen. I watched helplessly as the dog sank his fangs into Sunglasses leg, and my beating came to an abrupt end as Gina clobbered him on the head with the bottle of champagne.
In a crimson cloud of agony I tried to get up, but the pain was too much, I was fighting for every breath trying to hang on to consciousness.
I lay there helpless until the ambulance and the police arrived. The paramedics put me on the stretcher. Gina was crying, the dog was licking my bloody face. I remember saying, “Gina, if I live will you marry me?”Then I passed out.
The next six day were a blurred mixture of coma, pain, surgery, and intravenous tubes feeding me liquid opium and antibiotics. Occasionally I would open my one good eye and find Gina sitting beside me, and then I would fall asleep.
I was half awake when I heard a familiar voice from my past whisper, “I told you to never let your guard down my friend. You took a brutal bad beat and look like road kill.” I looked up and there was Lucky Bob.
At first I did not recognize him; his appearance had changed so dramatically. He had lost weight, grown a beard and was wearing Bermuda shorts and a faded tee shirt. Then I saw the Rolex on his wrist and knew he was back.
Bob told me he had bought Powerball tickets and won eight hundred thousand after tax dollars. “Joe, my friend, I should have won the big money, but I did not. I have decided that this is as far as my luck will go; I am cashing out, quitting gambling and moving to a place in Mexico with a Latina sweetheart I met when I was down and out. She was born in a town on the Pacific coast called Zihuatanejo, She and I are going to open a pizzeria on the beach there; it will be called Bob’s Café Marina.
There I will play for fun on line at @replaypoker.com, I want you two come down when you are well and up to it.
l have been talking with your fiancĂŠ Gina, she says you proposed to her and you two are going to be married as soon as you and Mr. Majestic are well enough to leave this hospital.
Joe, who in the hell is this Majestic guy?” I started to laugh, but it hurt too much.
The End

About the author
Born out of wedlock in 1938.raised on a state farm till he was eight when he was adopted, left school at sixteen and enlisted in the military the day he turned seventeen, where he spent five years playing poker, black marketing cigarettes, Scotch whiskey, and stolen gasoline to cover the expenses of losing at poker and chasing women. He was forced to leave this comfortable lifestyle when the US Air Force decided that his service was not wanted. He has failed at two marriages and suicide. Despite these temporary setbacks he excelled as an artist, completed his education. Was the master of the engraving for the Winchester custom shop, founded a very successful restaurant and has his art work in private and museum collections. He has written and published three books and several short stories. He is currently in the process of opening an art gallery in Italy where he resides with his loving wife of thirty two years.

1 Like
32

Wow Joda…
When you started to talk about your personal up bringing, and all the bootlegging stuff. I got some seriously happy goose bumps… I knew there was something about you, just by reading your stories… :sunglasses:

33

Great story Joda, I hope you will find time to do more of them for us. I truly enjoyed it. Thank you.

1 Like