February 18, 2008

• Hella Weekend People!

   

  I'm not much of a gambler...but I do enjoy an occasional bus trip to Nevada. I usually go to Montego Bay, and this weekend was no exception. After enjoying the King Crab buffet...to the point of looking like a pregnant woman just shy of her ninth month, I made my way towards the10 dollar minimum, Blackjack table. And as usual, it was win some/lose some. But lady luck was with me. I was actually up about four hundred dollars at one point. I left as soon as the dealer moved to another table. Finding S.O. at the bar's slot machines, I shared my good fortune by slipping her an additional hundred. It was a good night thus far...

  Then we decided to go visit her friend who works at a place, shining poles with her butt cheeks. Yeah, it didn't take much convincing, but I played the part. So, we're in the place like 30 seconds and have already been asked what we want to drink twice.

  "Corona with lime"(Me) "And I'll have a Sex On The Beach."(S.O.)

  "That'll be twelve fifty." (Waitress) <== WTF??? Damn!

  "Does that come with a free lap dance or something???" (Me)

  "No." (unamused Waitress)

  So, it wasn't what I expected. The girls seemed to be third string bench players. But there was one all star who went by the name ShyAnn (her spelling, not mine) who caught my ever wandering eye. So much, in fact, that S.O. suggested I close my mouth to prevent further drool from escaping down onto the floor. Long story short and one hundred twenty dollars later, I realized that we were late! We were going to miss the bus! We called a taxi and headed back. When we were within a hundred feet, we saw our bus going up the freeway on-ramp!  Damn! Damn! Damn! ShyAnn's badonkadonk had sealed our fate.

  "Oh well, we will have to spend the night." (Me) "Ok." (S.O.)

  "We're very sorry sir, but there are no more rooms available at this time." (Hotel Desk Clerk)

  "What about another Casino?" (Me)

  "Sorry, there are no rooms available anywhere. Perhaps you might try the Motel 6?" (Hotel Desk Clerk)

  "You know, vieja...It's four in the morning. Even if we got a room, we would have to leave in like 4 hours. Let's just make the best of it and keep playing." (Me)

  So, after two ATM trips of one hundred and two dollars each, I realized that I had done what they wanted me to do...KEEP PLAYING. Not only was I down all of the money I came with, but also my winnings and all the money from the ATM transactions. Shit! Wait, it gets better...

  I realized shortly thereafter, that I had an unheard message on my cell phone. Turns out that our babysitter was leaving at 8:00 am. And we were still two hours away. We were desperate. I even called a Taxi service and asked how much it would be to get us home...

  "$ 450.00, but unfortunately, there are no available Taxis at this time. Perhaps after nine?" (Taxi Service)

  So, now we were experiencing the expression, "Up Shit Creek."

  And then the most unexpected thing happened....

  TO BE CONTINUED...

  Sorry about the wait...I just couldn't keep my eyes open. Anyway...

  So the only choice we had was to have someone who was leaving take us to our car that was an hour and a half away. Problem....my pride. I hate asking people for favors or for help. Not to mention the fact that I'm not the most friendly looking chap. But the thought of having my little ones alone in my house was a hellava motivator. I asked people who were leaving for a ride, offering them gas money and more if they wanted. No luck. I even asked a few Hispanic people, and got nothiung but excuses. I didn't expect that from my own people. So after being embarrassed, and having a large dose of rejection, we just stood near the casino entrance. We just watched people leave without saying a word.

  A few moments later a couple walked past us and got to the parking lot. It was really cold, so the lady walked back into the lobby while her husband brought the car. I made a comment and she smiled. She exchanged a few words with S.O. and asked if we were waiting for our ride. S.O. just told her our story. She apologized for not being able to help and left.

  A  few minutes after that, a black dude with a toothpick in his mouth came into the casino. He had a gruff exterior and a frown on his face. He was looking around suspiciously. My survival mode kicked on and I was ready for anything.

  "Are you the couple that the bus left behind?" (black guy)

  "Yeah."(me)

  "How far are you going?"(black guy)

  "About a hundred and fifty miles west."(me)

  "I'm headed that way myself, let me give you a ride." (black guy)

  "Are you serious?" (me)

  "Yeah, come on." (black guy)

  We got into his nice extended cab truck. He pulled out a blanket and wrapped up S.O. in it. In the front seat was the lady we spoke with a few minutes before.

  So it turns out that they weren't going our way. They lived a few hours in the opposite direction. They took us to our car and didn't even ask for anything. Mike took 40.00 in gas money but only after I insisted over and over again. It was an amazing display of charity. The thought that kept going through my head was that of he and I sharing stories and conversation just two feet of each other. Smiling and laughing, and enjoying each other's company. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles the biggest race war in gang history is alive and well. Prisons, even worse. Black and brown at each other's throats. Death is all around. And yet, despite that, I am the recipient of kindness from my black brother. I was in his debt.

  Mike and his wife, Alika, taught us that there is hope for the future. God bless you both.

  • 4:18 am
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