Vegas ● 2011

"Bitcoin."

A toothy grin was offered up to the inquirer. Cat ate the canary. The word and grin says it all. Pop Quiz: How's a barely-legal-to-drink person explain being so filthy rich he can afford to be careless? Plus the other stuff. You know. Not being high society, or actually knowledgeable in any professional industry. They're just details. All you need is The Right Answer.

That understanding, envious nod? Yeah. The Right Answer.

But it's still work. Fortunately? Most casino's are owned and operated by large groups. And the easiest way to make sure the money stays in house is to use universal chips. A good illusion takes time. You can't turn a dollar chip into a ten thousand dollar chip. But you can turn it into a thousand dollar chip.

And you can turn a three of clubs into an ace.

Blackjack? The house has a one-half percent edge. It's all about The Grind. Start by wearing short sleeves. Change tables. Take away all of The Expected Explanations. Because once those cards are mucked and disappear into the shuffler? It really doesn't matter what they actually were when they were turned over and paid out on.

It's a grind. It takes time. A few nights. Maybe a few weeks.

"Hey, Lisa?" A five hundred dollar chip was traded to the waitress for the drink. "Getting ready to call it a night. Can you see if Crystal and Lexus are around? Just tell them to come up. Same suite."

There are worse ways to spend a few weeks.

"Oh, and Bambi. Tell Bambi to wear that cheerleader outfit again."

Jesus he needed a back massage first.

"Oh, and coke. Bring some coke. Someone."


To the top, I'm a take it to the ceiling
I'm on the moon but I feel the sun beaming
I'm so dope like ooh la la
So so fly like a helicopter
Sup to the hood and the homies on the block
Doin' it big, ya you know, what's up
-- Becky G, 'The Problem'