Free Falling & the River Queen
The birthday poker party was a ways away, up I-35 about 45 minutes away in Guthrie. Of course I timed my arrival to be not quite on time and fashionably tardy - gads, who wants to be the first to show up to a soiree? However, the only clue I had to it's locality was that it was "in the commons in the apartments behind" the (local professional theatre building). I [ass]u[me]d that being a 50th birthday celebration, the path to the party would be clearly marked. Yeah, right...
The usual exit off I-35 to Guthrie was, to my surprise, not open due to highway construction. I celled Myrt & the Corkster (from the Taos trip) who were also headed that way, and issued an SOS. The Corkster assured me there was another exit to Guthrie and I trusted him that I wouldn't have to turn around in Wichita to get back home. Indeed, there was another exit. Silly me. I got to the general area of the party location and saw no exterior manifestions of a 50th birthday bash happening anywhere. I opted to wait for Myrt & the Corkster's arrival and search it out with them.
They arrived and we went on the hunt. From the alley, we identified the back of the theatre and saw across from it a door that said "[something illegible] Residential Apts." We gambled and entered that door only to be greeted by various stage trappings and a really, really creepy staircase. I opened a door to darkness and said, "Unless it's a surprise party and they are all waiting in here, this isn't the place." We paused to listen for party noises in the building but heard none.
While we debated about ascending the really, really creepy staircase, Myrt spied an elevator. She pressed the button and the elevator doors opened to darkness. I said, "No way am I getting on that thing." I gritted my teeth and started up the really, really creepy staircase, thinking to myself "Only actors would willingly live in a rathole like this..." It's free rent - who's going to argue about decriptitude? In another time and place, I'd be their neighbor....
Arriving at the top, I heard voices behind a door which sported a sign that said "This door does not shut by itself," or something close to that. Another door beside it had a sign, too. It said, "This is not a door. Treat is as though it were a wall." I took a chance and opened the door that claimed it was a door. I saw balloons. Bingo! (sorry Sue). This was the place.
There was a handful of folks there. I greeted Sue, the birthday girl, and some other friends and was introduced to others whom I didn't know. Everyone was heading into one of several apartments which ringed the common area to view the video of Sue's (and best friend Brenda's) adventure of the day before.
The video showed us a yard full of bears and a happy 50th birthday sign which greeted Sue that morning - apparently there is a service that will do this for you. I'm not sure of the significance of the bears (you don't get to keep them), but Sue will have this memorable video of her and best friend Brenda frolicking in their own inimitable way amongst the bears. Oh, and also of her and best friend Brenda jumping out of an airplane.
Yes, Sue went for the life-renewing (or life-ending, depending on the outcome) adventure of skydiving on her 50th and best friend Brenda joined her. What a pal. Hence the theme of the birthday weekend - the gamble of jumping out of an airplane translated to gambling with friends playing poker...
Both survived and all who viewed the video were duly impressed, but, hey... we came to play cards, right? Nine of us were in the mix to shuffle up and deal. Now, this was low, low stakes. $5 buy-in, nickel ante cards. We drew for tables - 1 with 4 folks, 1 with 5. I attempted to voice a suggestion for combining for one table of 9, but it went over like the proverbial lead birthday balloon.
I sat a a table with "Boston Cream Pie Guy" - named so because he made the birthday cake, Sue's favorite (and mine), Boston Cream Pie; "L Word Watcher" - who explained to me "L Word" was a show about lesbians which she and a bunch of dykes (her word, not mine) watched. She identified herself as the cute one; "Young Guy Who Kinda Knows How to Play"; and, cringe, the "River Queen."
Playing dealer's choice, we started with hold-em at our table, however without blinds and, instead, with antes. This was kind of awkward, but we made it work. I'm not going to do a hand by hand blow. Suffice it to say that I, the serious student of poker... I, who have played poker in a real Vegas casino and won... I, who played in a tournament with World Class Players Max Pescatori and Charlie Shoten... I, who have Marcel Luske's cell-phone number, for chrissakes...
I.
Drowned.
Most unceremoniously and thouroughly in da' ribber.
The River Queen, Ms. "gotta stay in for one more bet, 'cause ya' never know.." on my right, wiped up. I saw most of my $5 stake find a new home amongst her stack. REBUY! I deposited another $3.75 in the River Bank & Trust before time ran out and I had to leave. Interestingly, the prevailing thought I had wasn't "damn the fish.." it was "I wish I had more time because I know I can get it back and then some...." I had just begun to formulate a come-back strategy when I had to go - there was a rodeo I had to get to.
I was also sorry to leave because, despite the loss, I was having a good time. My table was a hoot, a fun bunch of people. There was no way you could take the game seriously and I considered my contribution the price of admission to a good time.
I bid my farewells and headed to the Bug and my journey back home southward...
Next: Act II - The Rodeo
