Baba VaTata and Fatso persuaded me to accompany them to the betting shop, not that I needed much persuasion anyway. It was a Friday, as different as any other day of the week. To those in the know, the weekend kicks off on Friday. I had knocked off early from work and had acres of time to spare before going home.
I was never keen on gambling even the numerous sports betting shops dotted everywhere failed dismally to entice me into the world of gambling were fortunes can be made or broken. And I think this saved me a lot of trouble for gambling can be dangerously addictive.
The moment we entered the betting shop was a moment of discovery. As the neon lights flickered , I saw many people or gamblers sitting around small round tables.
Soft house music was playing in the background and mounted on the walls were big screens and the gamblers’ attention was on the big screens as if their very existence depended on that.
Even before we settled down I made a startling discovery about Fatso. The way his face lit up and the sudden thrill on his face was a sure sign that he had the gambling bug or was on the verge of it. He quickly went to the counter and grabbed some slips of paper. Baba VaTata placed an order for beer and rightly so as we took our seats in the corner with our backs to the wall.
Baba VaTata was here for the beer, like me. He knew the value and treachery of money — easy come, easy go.
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I saw Fatso join two other gamblers and they began to share information.
“I think he must be more careful,” said Baba VaTata, at the same time pointing at Fatso
“That’s easier said than done, I think our friend is is in good company here,” I replied.
The problem with gambling is, it’s hard to give up. A gambler always believes that the next wager will be the winner. It’s even worse when the gambler scoops some small wins not knowing that the small wins are just a bait to keep you in the game and spend more. You have to be stingy and frugal to know that money does not grow on trees. And just at that moment, Fatso came at our table, excited as ever.
“You see that man over there?” He said. A bearded man was sitting alone at the counter. I once saw the man with Mukorogodo, but I hardly knew him.
“He sold his house and lost all the money to gambling, but that did not stop there, his wife left him,” said Fatso.
I looked at the man for a second time. He looked miserable. That he kept coming for gambling was quite a tragedy altogether.
“Don’t you think you should stop the habit yourself?” I asked.
Fatso looked startled.
“I am not like that man,” he said.
“You will end up like him one day if you are not careful,” said Baba VaTata.
Fatso gave a deep sigh, he went back to the other gamblers, leaving us on our own. I shook my head.
The background music continued to play. There was hardly any noise as more and more gamblers arrived. By now many people had knocked off from work. It was like someone somewhere had turned the switch button on. Friday and the weekend had arrived.
I saw a man at one of the tables stand up and leave hurriedly. Fatso came back shortly afterwards.
“Did you see the man who just left now?” He said. We all nodded.
“He has lost all the money, it was for rent,” he said.
Nothing good ever comes out of gambling
Onie Ndoro X@Onie90396982