I was going through some hard times recently. My job was cut during the recession and I was trying to get by on the meager unemployment check I received. It didn't help that I had a bit of a gambling problem. I was badly in debt but pretty much judgment proof so I didn't worry too much about it. Sometimes I would take my weekly check to the casino on the edge of town and more often than not, it would be gone in a few hours. Recently, I have been going over to my neighbor Gary's apartment and making bets with him and some of the other people who live in my building. Gary was more flexible when it came to things like letting me pay him back later. We played for small amounts of money so it was never too big of a deal.
Most people would not expect Gary and I to be hang out together. Gary was significantly older than me. He was a tall, overweight man whose balding head contrasted with the fuzzy chest hair that stuck out from the top of his shirt. Compared to him, I was much younger with a slim and smooth body. While I was shy and quiet, Gary was loud and boisterous. If it had not been for the gambling, I don't see why we would spend any time together.
Things got weird one day when I was over at Gary's apartment. We had been playing pool and making bets all afternoon. Gary was experiencing a bad luck streak, having lost several games where it initially seemed like he was ahead and likely to win. This pissed Gary off as he is a very competitive person. I could tell he was getting worked up as he kept cursing under his breath.
It is my experience that when playing a game requiring precision like pool, it can only improve your odds to play against an opponent who is frustrated and potentially distracted. So I decided to take advantage of the situation and bet everything I had won that day on the next game.
"Of course," Gary muttered after I had placed my bet. "Fucking cocksucker," he spoke in a voice that was barely audible. True to my prediction, Gary played the game sloppily and had a hard time sinking his balls.
I quickly pulled ahead in the game. While Gary had several of his balls left on the table, I only had to sink the eight ball and I would walk away with a fistful of cash. I felt I had bet smart on this one; my prediction about Gary's performance was absolutely accurate. Unfortunately, this made me a little bit cocky. When I took my shot, I easily sunk the eight ball. Disappointingly, I also sunk the cue ball causing me to scratch and lose the game. All the money I had won that day was gone including my unemployment check.
"Hahaha, are you fucking kidding me?" Gary gloated. "Fucking finally, I have been getting screwed all day."
"Fuck," I muttered under my breath. "There's no way... Come on Gary, give me one more game, give me a chance to at least win back what I came here with."
Gary shook his head vigorously, "You don't have anything left to bet. You shouldn't have bet everything you won on that last game. You've got no sense with money, kid."
"Come on Gary, you know if I lose I will pay you back," I argued. "I always have before. I got an electric bill that I got to pay and I really need the money. I am good for it."
"That's not my problem," Gary said as he rolled his eyes at me. "You gotta put something up other than an IOU. How about you suck my dick if I win the next game?"
"Come on Gary," I pleaded. "I am being serious here. I get another check in a week from now."
"Yeah, one more game, if I win, you suck my dick." Gary responded matter-of-factly. The look he was giving me creeped me out..
"Are you kidding me?" I looked at Gary incredulously. "Are you trying to make fun of me by calling me gay? I do not suck cock. Look, if I win, I get my initial pot back. If you win, I will pay you double that next week when I get my check," I explained.
"Relax, relax," Gary chuckled. "You win, you beat my cock off with your hand. That's a fair deal; I am not trying to call you gay. It would just be nice to get a good old fashioned handy."
"Whatever," I said angrily. "Stop giving me shit and let's play one more game." I racked the balls and Gary and I ended up playing another game. I couldn't help feel oft-put by what Gary said and the creepy way he looked at me. I assumed he was joking but the entire thing made me feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, my preoccupation distracted me from the game. The bad luck streak Gary had been experiencing earlier seemed to have subsided and for the second time that day I found myself losing a game to Gary.
"Haha, I win again," Gary gloated. He placed his cue gently against the wall and sauntered over to a large leather couch that was nearby in the room.
"You win Gary," I said sullenly. "I will pay you back next week; I promise."
"Now wait a minute," Gary interjected. "You can forget about the money. The deal was that you would give me a handy. Now get your prissy ass over here and start beating my dick."
"Seriously? I asked. "That was a joke, you can't expect me to do that... that's disgusting."
"A deal's a deal," Gary interjected. "If you had won, you would have taken the money. Does it sound like I am joking? Get over here right now and start rubbing, boy!"
"This has got to be some sort of prank or something," I said in disbelief. "Why would you even want me to do this? It makes no sense." My voice grew softer and my steps shorter as I approached Gary on the couch.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Gary said angrily. "Sit down!" he demanded, patting the portion of the leather couch next to him.
I responded submissively to Gary's commanding voice and sat down next to him. As I stood there dumbfounded, my eyes glanced around nervously.