not so wise guys

you make a mistake
and do
business with vinny
and moe
down at
the bada bing
retirement home.
you borrow five
bucks, two
fifty from
each of them
to get into a gin
rummy game, which
you forget to pay,
and the interest
on the principle
doubles
with each passing
day.
but they're old
now, and they
forget things.
you see them at
the crafts room
widdling wooden
knives, making
weapons out
of soap on a string.
when they see you
at the shuffle
board game, they
whisper to one
another about you,
and say to you,
hey don't you owe
us some money.
which you respond,
I paid you already.
this makes them shake
their heads and
twist their lips,
right they say, but
if we remember
different, it's cement
shoes for you buddy.