Chapter 17

“Eight hundred bucks? Sweet!” George’s face lights up like…well, like a guy who just found out he won eight hundred bucks for two minutes’ worth of work at a slot machine. “Shouldn’t there be nickels raining out of the machine? Hand me one of those coin buckets.” He points to a stack of plastic casino-branded cups. “We’re rich! Oh, hey, excuse me!” He hails a passing cocktail waitress in a mini elf-themed costume. “Champagne, please,” he says, once her facial expression indicates he has her attention. “For me and my friend, here. We’re rich, you know!”

“Congratulations,” she mutters, making a notation on her little white pad and sashaying away.

“But seriously, Brent,” he says, swatting at the side of the machine. “Where are all my nickels?”

“I guess that’s the ‘attendant’ we’re waiting for. Maybe they’ll write you one of those big checks. They’ll probably take your picture.”

“Looking like I’ve been sitting in a car all day.”