On October 1st, 2009 bars and casinos in Montana went smokeless. You damn sure know you got a bad smoking habit if you're willing to stand outside and smoke in December or Janurary when it's 20 below and snowing sideways.
I threw a reserved sign on my machine and walked outside of the veterans club to smoke a cigarette. There was a short little man also outside smoking.
"Haven't seen you around here before" he said. "How do you like our club?"
"It's a great place. Nice bar, you got the pool tables and dart boards, the casino. And you got the flat screens."
"My names, Jim" he said as he stuck his hand out.
"Mickey, nice to meet you?" I said as we shook hands.
"I'm the commander here" he said. "Are you a vet?"
"Of course I am, Jim"
"What outfit were you in?"
"I was in the heavy knife and fork battalion in the Salvation Army. I was the best knife and fork operator in the whole outfit."
"So you're not a vet. At least you have a sense of humor about it" he said as he laughed.
"Nice meeting you, Jim. Now I've got to go and see if I can make my fortune in your casino."
"Good luck. Nice meeting you too, Mickey?"
By late on the second day I was up $1500 and change. I was getting a powerfull hankering for a beer and a shot. I cashed out and hit the bar.
"Yeah, bartender, give me a shot of V.O. and do you have any microbrew?
"No."
"Okay, how 'bout a bottle of Bud."
So I'm sitting there downing shots and chasing with beer. I was getting a pretty good little buzz on. I had a $110 an hour play. The hotel was only running me $300 a week. Life was good. Then here came that litle idiot guy on my shoulder whispering in my ear.
"Leave me alone" I said "I'm getting drunk."
"But, Mickey."
"But Mickey what? Bartender! Give me another shot!"
"What about your uncle?"
"Why do you want to bring him up."
"Are you really gonna beat these veterans out of their stew, Mickey?"
"Hey, it's not my problem!"
"They do a lot of charity work. Disabled vets and all that stuff."
"Dammit, you little *%*^$*$)$$)*$."
"You know you can't do it, Mickey."
"Yeah, I know. But I can't just leave the play for that slot atendent and her husband to burn off."
"You'll figure it out. You always do.'
"Okay, so will you go away and let me think?"
"I'll go away, but you do the right thing."
"Okay."
