Black Jack

Las Vegas at 3 am, I walked up to a Black Jack table and bet $150 on a single hand. Nobody was with me to dissuade me because I had been failing to meet with friends all night and had finally given up.

The other players at the table looked at me like I was stupid. I was. I was also tired and bored and sad. The dealer said nothing. They see this type of capitulation every 20 minutes. 

The hands are dealt. I think: Oh boy, I hope I win this hand. I’ll be so happy if I win this hand. I get a Jack and an Ace: 21. I win and I feel nothing. I actually feel worse because I have no one to share the victory with. I cash out $300 and head home.