Folks must have had a poor run of luck last night in the Casinos given the long line I spied in front of the pawn shop this morning on Las Vegas Boulevard at approximately 11 a.m.
Or, maybe there was a sale on family heirlooms and sparkly diamond-encrusted wedding rings?
Well, I expect everything is expendable in Sin City, where marriage licenses don't end up being worth more than the fee (or low grade paper they are printed on) to trot before a justice of the peace at the witching hour in a run-down chapel in the heart of the strip.
The rolex watches lining the glass showcases are a dime-a-dozen, too.
But, a laptop for a hundred bucks is a great bonanza if you're in the market for one.
Just pray 'ya don't run into the down-on-his-luck dude (who hawked it for a song) when you're checking e-mail at the Wifi station in Starbucks or McDonalds.
Heck, you can rustle up a loan on your auto in a snap, if the paperwork checks out with the DMV.
The danger in that?
If the croupier skims 'ya dry - or the slots turn on you - it's a long walk (or bus-ride) home.
Hopefully, you booked a room with meal coupons included, that way at least you'll eat.
In closing, I have a piece of advice worth listening to.
Set a spending limit before you cruise into town - and once you've exhausted it - have the courage to walk-away.
Bottom line: only gamble what you can afford to lose.
They don't call 'em loan sharks for no good reason, after all.
With a game plan like that, at least you'll sleep nights.
Amen!
