“What am I doing here? I ask myself as I stand in the long, peak-hour line for the cashier. These are the moments that give us too much time to think.
I won $600 last night and $500 the night before. If I jump out of line now, I’ll remain on top. Then again...It was so easy the first two times. Maybe I’m on a streak. Maybe it’s my turn. It couldn’t hurt to take out $500. After all, even if I lose it all, I’m still up $100 for the past two days, and $600 for the past three.
“Next!” the cashier shouts for the 46th time during tonight’s shift. “Hi. How can I help you?” She’s staring at the driver’s license I reflexively placed on the counter. She doesn’t meet my eyes. It’s not shame, fear, or disdain. It’s just unnecessary to look at me. You give me casino chips, a check, a driver’s license, a credit card, your first born son, I give you cash. No need for pleasantries like small talk, smiles, or eye contact. What do you want?
“Five hundred please,” I say, quickly contemplating whether or not to back out as I slide her my ID. But she knows as well as I do, I’m not backing out of this transaction. In fact, in her eight months of working “the cage” she has never seen a customer change their mind after making it to the window. At this point, the only reason they walk away without any money is lack of sufficient funds.
Within 45 seconds, I’m clutching five $100 bills in my hand as I simultaneously return my ID back to my wallet and walk towards the blackjack tables.