Tong Lashing

Passing through Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal casino floor last week, I stopped at the Money Wheel. It has long been rumored to be a sucker’s game but there is something about the flipping of that leather tong around the horn that I find both an irresistible lure and an insatiable fix. The clicking noise alone hooks me.

The big spender that I am, I laid a $5.00 bill on the table and the dealer let me play for exactly five spins. A scruffy man in his thirties immediately took my place front and center. I gave way. He threw his hooded winter jacket to the casino floor and laid down a one dollar bill on the table in exchange for a single chip. I stood immediately behind the newcomer to see if he would have any better luck. He paced and fidgeted. By chance, the wheel stopped on a number contrary to his desired outcome. He muttered a curse word, stepped over his jacket, then gave me a strange look. I couldn’t imagine what he wanted from me.

“Buddy, do a hurting guy a favor and pick my jacket off of the floor?”

I remarked. “You can’t pick up your own jacket?”

He nervously made jerky and exaggerated bodily movements before turning his back on me. He thrusted his shirt up to reveal bandages wrapped tightly around his skinny torso. He pointed to the middle of his back where I couldn’t help but notice a dried blood stain covered in gauze and mummy wrap. It looked like a red bull’s eye on sheepskin.

“Christ, can’t ya see I got stabbed this morning? I just got out of the emergency room.” he complained. “So are ya gonna help me or not?”

Talk about a tong lashing. His request did not fall on death ears but I wasn’t going to let him prey on my emotions either. I showed him that neither charity nor a wounded back was needed for the simple task. Using my foot, I picked up the jacket by the grab of the hood. He reclaimed his jacket and walked away fleet afoot.

I wondered if only addicted gamblers who escape death rush from the treating hospital to a casino floor to lay down their last dollar. Present company included, money wheels must really be for suckers.