Wheels of Misfortune

Is it because of five hundred cedis, that you came knocking on my door at dawn; only five hundred cedis? Even those I owe millions show me proper respect.

Look here, if you don’t come and apologize, in front of my kids, I won’t pay! I repeat… if you like, take me to court.

– Managing Debts

* * *

” Welcome back to another grand edition of your favourite TV show ‘Who Wants to be Rich?! ‘ If you just joined us, then you have missed the better part of what has been a thrilling encounter with Damien, our first ever contestant to get this close to winning one million dollars.

“He currently has eighty thousand in the bag, and has the option to walk away with it, or swap it for whichever box he opens next.

“Now there are two boxes remaining. Only one of them has the jackpot of a million dollars. The other contains fifty cents.

” So Damien, will you walk away with eighty thousand dollars, or will you take the next step? “

There was a long pause, as the drums and cymbals rattled…

The crowd shouted, ” Walk away! Walk away! “, as the camera swept through.

“What does his girlfriend think?”, the show host directed the question to a cute lady, sitting at the front row, beaming with smiles.

” I’m with you in prayers my love. Make me proud ! “, the audience applauded as the anchor took over his show.

“Over to you Damien.”

“I will take the next step! I will open another box”, Damien responded firmly.

The audience applauded as he matched his bravado with almost celebrity-like waving.

“Well, well, well … our champion has spoken. Without much ado we will open the last box for the night, right after this commercial break.”

Sitting, hidden, amongst the crowd was his wife Cathy. She had not been invited. She paid her way in. She had been following him for a while now. She wanted to make sure the decision she was about to take was the best.

She wanted a divorce.

Deep inside, she did not want her husband to win anything, and she prayed accordingly. Yes, she was that wife who did not want to see this success happen. Too much was brewing beneath the still waters.

When was he going to tell her he had been dismissed from his job at the bank, two months ago, for forging cheques? Yet, he went out everyday, with a briefcase, and in a suit, ‘to work’.

When was he planning to tell her that he had used up their joint savings in a lottery; that he was now only surviving by the mercies of dealers from the casino?

When was he going to tell her that he had gambled his way into huge debts ; that his master plan, was to gamble his way out of poverty?

They were sinking in debt, and Damien was in denial. Their house was always under siege – with some of the creditors threatening to lynch him. Yet, somehow, he always managed to make enough money to gamble with, and to service a girlfriend.

Now, they used plastic chairs at home – he had sold all the furniture. He had sold everything to the point of no curtains for the windows. There were no appliances to make life easier. The kids had to change schools – from an international to a public one. Even the diet in the house had changed abruptly.

Damien was keeping up appearances – and those who knew the truth, could only pity Cathy.

He was always at one casino or another; betting on his phone; staying up to answer ridiculous questions for paultry sums on TV. There had been isolated singular, rare victories – but numerous, heavy, hideous losses…

“Welcome back! Damien, dear viewers, is the man of the moment … would you like to change your mind about the box? This is your chance!”

“No. Box Four, please. Open Box Four!”

“Please open the box for Damien.”

There was a pause that felt like eternity. The drums and cymbals blended with the theme song of the program. The audience was howling.

Cathy covered her eyes.

“Oooooh”, the crowd chanted in dismay, as the box revealed fifty cents. Some were giggling, others sullen and pensive.

” Well, well, well “, the anchor continued, “this game is full of surprises, and…”

“What do you mean by that? “, a previously cheerful Damien screamed through his microphone.

” I have been with you, gambling everyday for almost five years, and you allow me to go home with fifty cents? This woman here is waiting for her share”, he said, pointing to the one previously introduced as his girlfriend.

“I owe thousands of dollars, I have no job, and this is how you repay me? Wasn’t the bribe I paid to appear on this program enough?”

He smashed the mic and charged for the show host. Security men poured up the stage. The host ran, amidst riotous laughter from the audience.

Cathy sneaked out of the hall, bewildered. She could see right through Damien: He was faking the anger. It was just another act, as always. He needed to appease his creditors.

But her mind was made up. She deserved better.

– Wheels of Misfortune
– A Case of Gambling Addiction
– Inspired by a true story