Fast Buck (Details)
citation: Good Housekeeping, September 1957, 145(3):84-85, 192-194,196-200,202-204
alias: None
teaser: All happiness depends on it — on the roll of the dice. So the throw is made, and a prayer is said, and two hearts stop beating, and — let's look now …
summary: On a Saturday night, Sam and Laurie sit in their car as the realtor they'd just visited closes his office. They're disappointed they don't have enough downpayment to buy a house. Sam undersestimated the amount they'd need by half. Laurie despairs at raising their one-year-old son Billy in a three room apartment for four more years as they try to save what's needed.
Sam asks if Laurie's mother can babysit Billy until the next day, proposing they take a trip to Reno. Sam had been to Reno in his late teens, and tells Laurie about the shows, and inexpensive hotels and food. Laurie agrees.
Ben tells Laurie about a trip to Reno he took with a friend, and how he won money at the crap table. He notes the money they saved for a house downpayment is now useless unless it can be doubled. Laurie is aghast, but listens to Sam describe how to play craps to double their money. They decide to make the trip in any event, deciding before they arrive whether they will gamble their savings.
On the way, they imagine not just doubling their money, but multiplying it several times. Sam admits he's lost more often than he's won gambling in Reno, but they decide to try their luck anyway.
At the Mapes hotel, Sam exchanges their downpayment money for chips, soothing
Laurie's misgivings by telling her, Life's full of risk. Sometimes
you've got to take a chance.
When he returns, they go to one of the crap
tables and watch as Sam explains the action. He bets a dollar on the next
roll.
Sam wins, doubling his bet. Letting his winnings ride. He loses, then wins and, leaving the full amount on the table, wins again. Now that it's his turn to throw the dice, he bets their savings. Just as he throws, Laurie picks up most of the bet, leaving only $500 on the table.
Eventually, Sam wins the bet, but had Laurie left the money on the table, they'd now have what they needed, and could leave. He removes his initial bet, letting the winnings ride. He wins, doubling his bet again. One more win, and he'll have almost what they need for the downpayment. He loses all his winnings.
Sam bets $500 of their downpayment money, and loses. He bets again, and wins back his loss. Sam bets again, resolving not to risk their downpayment money again, but loses. He eventually loses all their money.
In desperation, Sam bets silver dollars in his pocket on a 15 to 1 chance. He wins, and lets the money ride, and wins again. He cashes in his winnings, realizing $60 more than they brought with them; enough to pay for their trip.
They have dinner and go dancing, still able to add a little to their downpayment savings.
words: 7,387
genre: Suspense
similar: Stopover at Reno
people: Sam, Laurie, Billy, dealers
places: Marin County, CA; Reno, NV: Hotel Riverside, Mapes Hotel
comments: Forthcoming