Siblings by K. J. Janssen Page A

had already bitten. He had lost all his savings to the tune of twenty-two thousand dollars and was taking out loans from credit cards that were rapidly reaching their maxes.
    As if losing heavily at poker wasn’t bad enough, Richard visited a casino fifty miles away, in the hope of winning some of his money back. He was convinced that if he could win back at least ten thousand dollars, he would cut his losses and stop gambling. The money for the casino, charged against his credit cards, was quickly won by the slots, roulette machines, and crap tables. Three visits to the casino and fifteen thousand deeper in debt, Richard was getting desperate.
    He returned to the traveling poker game, which this particular week was in the backroom of the casino. Before he got in a hand he was asked by one of the guards to step into the manager’s office, where he was greeted by a tall, burly man with firm grip.
    “I’m Mike Steele, the manager of this casino.” He made a gesture toward a chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Dr. Symington. So, you’re Ron’s son. I can see the resemblance. I haven’t seen him for years. He used to be a regular at our games, only he knew when to walk away from the table. How is your father?”
    “He’s fine, sir,” Richard said impatiently. “What did you want to see me about?”
    The man sat back in his chair. He looked straight at Richard. “My people tell me that you want to sign a marker for five thousand in chips. Is that correct?”
    “Yes, sir, but you know I’m good for it.”
    “What I know, Doctor, is that you’re into our bank for over sixty thousand dollars and you’ve only made one three thousand dollar payment toward it in the last thirty days. We will need to see a much larger payment against that balance. With the interest accruing, as it is, you’ll owe us close to a hundred grand before you know it.”
    “I’m doing the best I can,” Richard answered nervously.
    “Well, Doctor, that’s just not good enough. I’ve seen lots of people like you. They don’t know when to stop. Let’s face it, some people just aren’t meant to gamble. It appears to me that you fall into that group. Now, don’t get me wrong, that’s what my business is all about and I’d be happy to continue taking your money. The problem is that it’s not your money anymore; it’s mine and that, I’m sure you know, is no way to run a business. So, Doctor, as of this minute you’re cut off from any more credit, permanently barred from any of our games and tables, and before you leave this office, we’re going to work out a plan for you to repay what you owe me and my associates.”
    Richard’s eyes darted toward the door, which he just noticed was blocked by the guard that had escorted him to the office. He fidgeted in his chair. He could feel perspiration forming on his forehead. “Look, Mr. Steele, I’m good for it; you know how much I make. You also know that I’m not going to skip out on what I owe. I can give you three thousand a month. I’ll have it to you in cash on the second of every month. I promise.”
    “Doctor, we’re not running a savings and loan here. This isn’t a mortgage we’re talking about. Interest accrues very quickly in this kind of business. We don’t have any laws to restrict us. Unless you can pay me seventy-five hundred a month, we’re going to have to make another type of arrangement. How about your father? He should be good for the sixty grand.”
    Richard was alarmed at the mention of his father. “Leave my father out of this. I made this mess and I’ll work things out. I can’t give you seventy-five hundred a month. That’s impossible.”
    “That’s a shame, Doctor. Impossible is a word I don’t like to hear. You should have known what you were getting yourself into when you started playing. Of course there is a way you could work off the debt; very quickly too.”
    Richard leaned forward in his chair. “What do you mean?”
    “I have some