Head palmed!
It was all a dream.
She woke up and what she thought was Raymond's truck beeping was her mobile phone..
It was her Mum.. She's a Aussie living in London and she hadn't touched base with her worrying parents.
Her own secret was she was also a recovering slot machine addict and needed good advice from the one man alive who would know how to make her stop.
Raymond!
Raymond had beaten his demons and come out the other side, both sane and unharmed. She just had to contact him before she got back to the dreaded slots.
And then, the honk, the real honk of Raymond's vans horn. Courtney was not surprised as psychic preminitions had always been intertwined with her dreams and day visions. But when he pulled out the paper bag she began to sweat. "What's wrong Court?" I thought that you'd like some of my homemade coffee and two day old doughnuts, heated up just for your pleasure!". "Ummmm, well yes, Thank-you Ray. " "Let's get on over to the station and pick up your truck!" "Onward" coutney exclaimed. And for a minute , she felt better than she had in years. But just for a moment because....
... she did a little trump. She was mortified.
After she picked up her car.. She drove over to see Maurice. The fat bald butcher she had a bone to pick with him.. (a giant T bone)
His chubby cheeks blushed crimson when he saw her.. Stomping across the road towards his shop.
He rushed to put the close sign on the door but he wasn't fast enough and in barged Courtney..
She was fuming, he had purposely reported her car. She slammed on his butchers block her receipt £260 to get her car released.
"Pay this Maurice or else you end up in your own pork sausages"!
He stumbled on his...
He stumbled on his greasy tile floor as he lunged toward courtney, pointing his finger and yelling, "You had no right to leave your vehicle there double parked in front of my shop, without even coming to me to explain what was going onnnnnn...". He went on.. "How could $260 be an issue for a rich brawd like yourself?!" "I work 7 days a week to keep my family fed and help with my grandchildren's education."
“You’re a conman! You were caught selling horse meat burgers!”
"Education. Education. It's you who needs an education" Courtney yelled.
The door flung open and in strolled Raymond. "Now then Maurice. Don't you realise that whatever goes around, comes around". Maurice backed into a corner, upsetting a tray of pigs liver in the process.
"Ok, ok, so I reported your vehicle but that don't make me liable, does it?"
Courtney was fuming. "I'll tell you what, if you won't pay the charges we'll take some goods for the money you owe". She then grabbed a couple of chickens, some BBQ spare ribs and a homemade beef and ale pie. Clutching the stolen goods she glared at Maurice. "And we'll soon be back for more" she shouted.
$260 left Countney with less than $500 in her checking account, no savings to speak of and a hefty six figure credit card debt. Raymond had no idea that the woman who had once supported him was following suit. " I can't go on." Courtney gasped as they race walked to their vehicles (which were legally parked , by the way 😉 ) . Both were clueless as to where the day might lead from here.
"I have an idea" Said Courtney.
20 minutes later they were sitting at a blackjack table in a casino.
Raymond was ultra-cautious. He didn't really want to go but then again he did want to be with Courtney. She, on the other hand was adamant that they could make some serious money. She'd drawn out £200 from the hole in the wall and the fun was about to begin.
Raymond remembered all the raw meat they had stashed in his van. He had a cooler but needed ice.
Courtney recalled all the times she had spent online with the virtual casino but this was different. Real people with convincing smiles. Impeccable. Etiquette and inviting. But Courtney wasn't convinced. She knew it was all just a show but it didn't stop her thinking that she could possibly win a fortune.
The first 6 hands dealt were kind to her. 2 wins, 2 stand, 1 loss and a blackjack. She was £60 in profit!
Raymond fidgeted beside her refusing to play. He couldn't help thinking about the butcher's meat in the back of his van.
Raymond decided enough was enough he grabbed Courtney, she tried to resist, he threw her over his shoulder. He was taking her to his GA meeting, he couldn't handle the hot sweats, the fear he would bet his truck and all of Maurice's goods.
He drove to the church in the next town, the meeting had just started. Tez was leading the meeting and the guys were all sat in the circle.
He plonks Courtney in the middle of the circle.
He shouted "I need your help guys, the woman I love is trying my last nerve. I cannot go back to gambling and I cannot let my girl lead me astray".
The room exploded in laughter at such a thought.
Then Tez took control of the room. In turn each member told his story.
Michael described his story...
Meanwhile back at the ranch. The sheriff and Maurice had been waiting for sometime and decided to head back into town. But this was not the end, Maurice had surveilance in his shop which captured the details of Courtney and Raymond's contemptuous theivery and as he put it 'abuse'.
Michael described how he came to GA how he messed up his life. That he and the missus were on speaking terms just.
But...
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