The gambler

There is always this brief moment of silence in the casino when someone is throwing the dices.
This is the moment when the gambler is at his work. Keeping his calm and always bet reasonable.
But sometimes, you just bet too high.

Johnny was raised by a gambler, his father won from time to time but he mostly lost and thats why mom packed her stuff one day.
This wasn't the life she was looking for. No securities, no future, she never understood her mans gambling addiction.

Johnny learned early that when you're gambling, you always pay a price no matter what the dice says.
He grew up by his fathers side, not really a warmhearted man, but there was something about him that made Johnny stay. So Johnny learned his art of winning and losing.

At the age of 20, Johnny was in the casino while his father was winning high at the table.
But a man's gain is another man's loss. While Johnny's father couldn't believe his eyes how much he was winning throw after throw. He won so much money it would be enough for a lifetime. Everyone at the table was amazed and congratulating him. But rhere is always someone in the crowd who is losing while you're winning. A man became angry and jealous, he was drunk and lost all his savings today.
The man reached in his pocket and pointed a gun at Johnny's dad and shot him without mercy.
Johnny witnessed it all, he fell on his knees, shocked and stunned.
He got carried home from some friends while he was shouting and crying.

Days have passed since the incident. The shooter got arrested and sentenced to life.
Johnny was in his appartment near the casino, drinking bottle after bottle to drown his feelings, when it knocked at the door.
It was a worker from the casino, he gave Johnny a suitcase and layed his hand on Johnny's shoulder.
He says: "We are all living on a scale. You win here, you lose elsewhere to always stay in balance. You may not ever notice what you lose, but you do and you noticed".
Johnny didn't say a word. He shut the door after the worker left and tried to open the suitcase.
In the suitcase was the money his dad won the day he died.

Johnny was never seen in the casino again.