When I was nineteen, dancing in my first production show, I was invited out after the second show by a male dancer who I greatly admired. He was gorgeous, funny, in incredible shape, and we got along well. I was hopeful that this was the beginning of an exciting romance.
After eating a late dinner at a restaurant that he chose, he wanted to sit in the casino and gamble. I said I would watch. We had just cashed our paychecks. I had mine mentally organized with the bills I needed to pay: rent, utilities, groceries, gas for the car, and my precious ballet classes.
As I sat next to him on a tall leather stool, I watched him gamble away his entire paycheck. It made me feel sick to my stomach. My energy deflated, I wondered how he was going to pay all of his bills. The several hundred dollars he had earned had been eaten up eaten up by the machines over a few hours. I was bored and exhausted.
So much for my hopes of a romantic evening and future with him. It was quite a lesson. As we walked out, he pointed of a picture of himself on the wall of the casino. “See that,” he bragged. “That’s me when I won $10,000.00. It will happen again.” He was flanked by two showgirls. My heart sank. I doubted it.
In spite of all he had going for him, he was self destructive. These holes grow larger as people age. In retrospect, I am glad now that I learned of his addictions early on…I knew that lifestyle wouldn’t work for me.
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Gambling is a terrible addiction, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHi Bless, Yes. His money just disintegrated. We worked so hard in that show! We did performances at eight and midnight six days a week!
ReplyDeleteYou learned a very good lesson when you were young. Some people never learn the basic fact about gambling-the house always comes out on top. As my mother used to say, no one dies a rich gambler.
ReplyDeleteThat’s true, Anita. So many intelligent people get sucked into it. It was such a shock…I had no idea until that evening that he was gambling.
DeleteThat's so sad.
ReplyDeleteIt was, Jules. Many of these dancers I still know now. That behavior really affects your health and retirement.
DeleteYou've clearly been wise from a young age. Any addiction is dreadful isn't it. Thankfully I too was very financially wise
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cherie. We made excellent money in that show, and had full medical insurance. I had no idea he had become sucked into this addiction.
DeleteGambling is such a destructive addiction. Involves lying, stealing.... it's so selfish. I've personally known someone like this (not a partner!!) Thank goodness that you went out with him and saw his problem straight up xxxxx
ReplyDeleteOur showroom was in a big casino. I never was interested in the slots, but many got carried away and lost everything.
DeleteGambling scares me! It must have been difficult for you to see someone you admired on a direct path to self-destruction.
ReplyDeleteHe is very talented. I was sad to see him blow all of that hard earned money. Many performers get sucked into addiction. We were very young.
ReplyDelete