Narrative

       It was summer time at the University of Hong Kong and John was enjoying himself in his new decorated room.  He has one more year to complete his education and he was confident that once he graduated, he would find a good job.   But two months of summer vacation just seemed too long and boring, so he decided to try something exciting and new.  After searching all the magazines and newspaper, he just couldn’t find anything to satisfy his needs now.  One afternoon, his friend Richard called him.  “How are you? Want to go to Macau?” asked by Richard.  “Why? What can we do there?” John replied.  “Gambling, the most exciting game in the world.” Richard screamed.  “No way, it doesn’t sound fun at all and I am not interested in it.” John relied.   “Come and try it out first, if you don’t like it, you can leave, okay?” asked by Richard.   Since John was so bored, he promised Richard to go with him.   But what he didn’t realize was that a stormy weather was just waiting for his arrival.

            Richard and John joined up and traveled to Macau on a Saturday afternoon.  They enjoyed a good lunch and traveled around for sight seeing.  After dinner, Richard turned to John and asked, “Are you ready for some actions?” “Let’s go for it.” replied by John.  The taxi stopped in front of a casino and as they paid their fares, they have this uneasy feeling running through their blood.  “Are you sure that we are doing the right thing?” John asked.   “Don’t worry, just relax and enjoy yourself but remember not to spend too much money, okay?” Richard said with a grin.   John thought about it and he also thought that it wouldn’t be much of a big deal.  “Just small gambling, it should be fun.” he said to himself.

            As they walked into the casino, they decided to sit down on a blackjack table.  They just could not resist the temptation of gaining easy money.  They put in chips again and again without hesitation.  In a flash, their chips “disappeared”.  “How come? It would not have happened to me.”  John cried out loudly.  After spending all their money, they were still convinced that they could win it back. Without hesitation, John headed straight to the ATM. After punching in his passwords, he checked his account for the available funds. “I am going to win it back, I know it.” John said. So with a flash, he withdrawn all his college funds. “Don’t do this John, it is not a right thing to do.” Richard said. “Don’t worry, I know I won’t lose it all.” replied by John. As they head back to the black jack table, John has a crazy thought.  He wanted to try his luck and bet all his money on one hand. “Are you crazy?” asked Richard. “This is more exciting, and I know I am not going to lose.” John said.   So as John waited for the best time to place his bet, tension started to build. The once confident man was losing his will.  Finally, with his shaking hands, he placed on his money on the table.

            As the dealer started to hand out the cards, sweats started to come down on John’s forehead.  John has 12  and the dealer has a king and a folded card.   John was very nervous now, he was thinking that he could not lose all his money and so he said, “Card please.” As the dealer handed him the third card, time seemed frozen for a moment.  Finally a 5 showed up, John was kind of relief but still not happy with the situation.  He decided to stand and take his chances against the dealer.  So as the dealer were flipping over his card, John and Richard extended this necks as long as possible to see if it was the card to make the dealer bust.  However, life always plays trick on people. “Player 17, dealer 18, dealer wins.” The dealer said.  When ringing and dinging sounds were surrounding John, he was unaware that he has lost all his money.   He thought about how all this could have happened so quickly but remorse seemed useless now.   Without his tuition, he was unable to continue his education.   He thought about his future now but it seemed so unclear.  “Who can help me now?” John asked himself in disbelief.  No one could help him and he told himself that he had just learned an expensive lesson but to overcome it, it meant months of work before he could return to school again.  It was supposed to be a great summer, but it turned out to be nothing but sadness and remorse for John.