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A Gambler's Sin
Month 04
All In!
All he needed was a little fix to satisfy his needs. As promised, they ate out that night at Pikachu’s Pizza Place. It was an arcade restaurant for the kids. Rick listened to his daughter talk all about the trip to Slateport City. It was a nice family meal that put him in a great mood. Ever since he learned about The Underground, things were seemingly going his way. Just as it used to be before..... Well, enough of that. Let’s continue onward.
Come Monday, he started a new routine. He got up, ate and left, but instead of going to work, he went straight to The Underground. Of course, he told his wife he was going to work so as not to arouse suspicion. The last thing she needed to know were the kinds of things he was doing, specifically in the monetary department. So far, he’d made a positive return on his monthly investment. Most people would walk away and accept the little that they won. But not Rick Morris- he wanted --no-- he needed more.
The days moved on, one after the other in slow succession. He never did any digging all week long. Most of the time he sat at a table near the shops while the rest of his time was spent walking around the grounds and observing others doing their digs.
In his hand was a Journal where he kept track of every statistic throughout the day. Time. Temperature. Location. Item found. The kind of rock the item was found in. Maybe nothing was found at all. What about the person? First dig or experienced? Rental gear or bought gear? Age. Gender. Physically fit? Amongst other things. Was all this data necessary: yes. Yes it was.
In order to beat the system, you had to learn the odds. You don’t walk up to any slot machine and start playing. No no no. You have to watch the ones playing at the moment and cross off the machines that had large payout amounts. The longer a slot machine produces no payout, that more the odds increase for a jackpot. And if that person were to leave the machine, well, you simply take the spot because statistics are in your favor. Learning where the expensive jewels and fossils are being found is the key to big money.
On top of his note taking, he spent more money on digging gear for himself. Helmet, boots, overhauls with deep pockets, his own pick and shovel kit, lantern, and a mask to go further down in the caves, where few have ventured due to thinning air. Data is inconclusive but there has to be worthy untouched jewels in the depths.
Having taken a break over the weekend to review his notes and extensively detailed maps, it was Monday again. From morning to afternoon, he watched and listened to the locations he had marked as potential winners. Some trash items and stones are found throughout the day but nothing noteworthy of value. Good.
“I’ll be... Rick? That you-.. It is! Well look at you, all dressed up.” There, walking across the site, was Ronald, the co-worker that had brought him here in the first place. Him, in his own gear, looked at him in disappointment. “The Boss tried calling you but you never answered.”
Rick took his phone out. “I blocked all calls.” Except for one, his wife. He didn’t want to be bothered while he was in the zone.
“That, uh, sucks for you. If only you were a harder worker like me you’d still have a job. You’re stuff was packed into a box if you want to go by and pick it up.”
A little worry strikes his face and nerves as he thought about his job stability. “I was fired?”
Ronald laughs unsympathetically, “Yep. Your position was already filled too. Guess you couldn’t even manage to sit behind a desk and pretend to work. Might wanna rethink all this,” and he motions around Rick’s gear. “As a bachelor I can support myself coming here. You- you have a family, right? This isn’t a supportable job. Keep that in mind.” He walked away to do his own thing.
He’s wrong. Wrong! Of course he was thinking about his family, that’s why he’s doing this. He can make the money like he used, back before... that time. With his gambling habit back in full swing, it was time to see where it would take him. After spending a week with an itchy trigger finger, he thrusted his pick into an uncovered area where he would find his next jackpot.
--
Me: $226,300
Cost: $2,500
Change: $223,800
--
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Originally Posted by Big Daddy V
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