breaking even

i go to the casino

with a few hundred clams

in my pocket.

i decided that a tuxedo is the proper

attire

for the occasion

having seen

enough james bond movies

to get

the fashion drift.

it surprises me

that

everyone is in cut off shorts

and midrift

shirts

saying beachy things,

like i'm with her.

there's a lot of screaming

and yelling, cursing.

i hear yo mamma several times.

it's hot in there.

tattoos are running off of

arms. a man in a pony tail

with a harley jacket

asks me to get him

a drink.

two drinks he says, with straw,

and don't forget the marichino

cherries.

i tighten up my bow tie and quickly

depart. breaking even

for once.