Video Crack

Let me start of by stating that addiction of any kind is no laughing matter. Whether it be drugs like alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or gambling. When something has got a hold of you, bad things can happen. Gambling, in particular, is where I would like to lend a helping hand.

Speaking from experience, I used to have a bit of a gambling problem thanks to the State of New York. Of course I'm talking about the wonderful game Quick Draw, or as I like to refer to it, Video Crack. I used to play a few days a week. Fortunately, I would say I am actually ahead of the State. I know, I know, everybody says they win when they gamble. But I swear, in my case its true. However, in my experience with the customers that come into Greene's, I must be one of the lucky ones.

I had a customer come in recently and drop $420.00 in about an hour. This numb nuts hit the ATM up 3 times to support his habit. I was begining to wonder if his card would freeze up because of suspicious patterns of use. But no, the wonderful people at VISA were more than willing to let him keep taking out loot so he could donate to the education system in New York. And I just love how at the bottom of the ticket next to the NY lottery logo it says "Helping Educate New York's Children Since 1967". Give me a friggin break. If anyone out there can name one person who's benefitted from the NY State lottery scholarship fund I will walk to the State Capitol in Albany and personally thank them on your behalf.

When it was all said and done, he bought 2 Jack and cokes, cashed in his "winnings" for a whopping total of 8 bucks. Now that's an expensive couple of cocktails.

What pisses me off the most about "crack draw" is the people that come in an pull out a $20 and say "I'm just gonna play 'til its gone".

"REALLY? I got a better idea" I usually tell them.

"Since you plan on playing until you lose it all, how about you just give me the $20 and I'll come to the other side of the bar and kick you in the nuts, then we'll call it even".

I believe that would be a very effective way to help someone curb their cravings for gambling. I'm nobody special. Just a concerned American trying to make a difference in the World. Strangely, I've never had any takers on my offer. I can't imagine why.