Chapter 4: At the Silver Lode

“OK, I need to get organized for you. Can I bring you some food from downstairs?”

“Right now I feel fine. Let’s go hit the buffet together and then go run your errands.”

So that’s what they did. Returning to the room, Ada stripped off to her panties, climbed into the bed, and started to nap.

Roger had a packet in his pocket with five “silver” dollar coins bearing the hotel’s logo. He had received them from the front desk when he rented their room.

So he paused in the casino area to dump the coins into the appropriate video slot machine. He played all five at once, which activated three rows and two diagonals for pay lines.

After the spinning images stopped, loud bells sounded and a bright light flashed on the machine’s top.

According to the display, he had aligned three pyramids (of stacked silver coins) for a payout of $1,050. A resort employee brought over the cash, fanned out to show five $100s and eleven $50s. Fitting the bills into Roger’s hand, they posed for a picture.

Next, he was asked for some information. “Mr. La Pine, our policy is that $1,000 plus winners receive a free extra night in our hotel. We want you to extend your stay with us. Now you should know that your winnings are taxable income, less your gambling losses. But your payout is under the IRS reporting threshold, so it’s on you what goes on your tax return in April. Thank you for being our guest.”

Roger’s next stop was an upscale department store. He purchased some extra-fluffy towels, satin boxer shorts, and a pack of six comfortable panties for Ada. He continued to a large drugstore to buy an electric blanket, bottled water, cookies, graham crackers, saltines, menstrual pads, wipes, baby powder, condoms, and lube.