I guess if you've found this then I'm already back where I belong. My name? Doesn't matter, really, though the nickname Diablo Afortunado has been stuck on me for as long as I've been here in Vegas. I wont' bother you with my life story, just give you the Cliff's Notes. Born in the Midwest, left after high school, did the military thing, and drifted around for a bit until somehow I landed in Vegas. There, I finally found my life's work: as a gambler. Every turn of the card, roll of the dice, or spin of the wheel was golden for me. I even worked as a dealer and "Eye in the Sky" for a couple casinos to learn all the tricks of the pros. I wasn't greedy though, limiting myself to a few G's a night, and I always gave some back to people who need it. After all, it's because of the casino's that a lot of homeless are in that situation, right? Well, anyways, that's neither here or there now. What matters is that one time I did let myself go a little overboard. Well, more than a little, like 500 grand overboard. I was at a little smoke filled room, you know, typical LV back room kinda game, you know what I mean? So, I was playing Texas Hold 'Em with this small time mobster that called himself Signour Vortelli. He and I were in a dead heat, having driven the other players to bow out of the game. It had been a long fuckin' night, and I was ready to leave and maybe find someplace quiet to unwind, so on the last turn I called all in, and it was put up or shut up time. He put up, and I saw him turn red as I turned my hole cards to show aces and eights. I shoulda done the smart thing and left right then, but no, I guess I got a bit greedy. I stuffed the pot into a bag and hurried out the door. I found a nice little bar on the Strip and got a brew to let some of the tension drain off. I down a few and start towards the door when a couple of goons met me at the door and hustled my drunk ass to the door into a sedan. Ya know, the "We're going for a little ride" thing you see so often in bad movies. I didn't expect too much, maybe losing the dough and getting roughed up a bit, then dropped off outside of town. Hell, it's not like it ain't happened to me before. Well things sorta went like I thought they would, up until one of the goons pulled out a .38. It was the last draw for me. I got lucky, kicking one of them in the nuts and smashing the other's nose, but I was never much of a scrapper. In the end, one of them knocked me to the ground and the last thing I remember hearing was the roar as the trigger was pulled.

I dunno when I came around, exactly. It was still night, the same night, I guess. I just remember opening my eyes and this big ass bid pecking me on the head. I know I felt like shit and my skull felt like it had been retooled with a hammer. I picked my ass off the ground and sorta stood there for a while trying to get it together. The money was gone, no question of that. I was suppossed to be dead though. Even with my renowned luck, a bullet in the had should have put me out of the game permanent like. Well this big ass bird, a raven or crow for lack of a better term, perched it's merry little feathered butt on my shoulder and won't budge for nothin'. Fuck it, I thought, could be worse. I decide to let it have a free ride and start back towards town. I ain't never been any sorta jock, but the jog back went a lot more quickly then I though it would, and I wasn't even breathing hard. Or even breathing, for that matter, I realised. I check the old ticker, should be going a mile a minute; nope, nothing going there either. Well that sure ruined my night, I was a damn reject from Night of The Living Dead. Not much I could do but get on with the program, after that. Anyways this crow takes off and heads towards a little all night store. I followed it and headed inside. The clerk must have been half stoned or something, or just used to the freaks you see at that time of night, he barely acknowledged my presence. I pick up a few new duds, some spiffy black pants, a matching shirt, and a nice overcoat to go with them. On the way towards the cashier, I saw in one of the bargain bins a kid's vampire Halloween makeup kit. Well, it seemed appropriate, I guess, so I picked it up. I paid the guy out of the mad money I keep hidden in my belt and went off into a side alley to shuck off my ruined duds. My new threads looked pretty sharp once I got them on, even if I did say so myself. Well once I was at least semi socially acceptable, there was this makeup thing. I remembered seeming a movie some years back about some guy that was killed off and came back to take revenge, and I sorta recalled he wore some sort of black and white makeup. Well, I was never accused of being an original thinker. What were they gonna do anyway, sue me? I'm fuckin' DEAD for cryin' out loud. So anyway I sorta slop the makeup on, halfass like. It wasn't like I was going to a costume party or something. Well, at least so I thought. As I walked outta the alleyway, I caught a reflection of myself in a broken window. I looked pretty damn creepy. Well, even for being dead and such.

Well, anyway, the crow takes off again and I followed it to a small building, hell, it was deja vu all fuckin' over again. I'ld been in there earlier playing cards with Vortelli and his merry bunch. Well, the goon with the busted nose was at the door smoking, along with the guy I tried to make into a candidate for the Vienna Boy's Choir. They both look up as I walk up to them, and both thier mouths went wide open as the reached for thier pieces. Hell, I needed a laugh, it had been a rough night. They both got out thier heat and let the lead fly, so I sorta clowned a bit and acted hurt and shit, then started busting up and started towards them. They didn't have time to move before I had gotten in thier face and had a hold of both of them. I got all Zen, and attempted to make them one with everything, well the closest I could come, anyways. Let's just say by the time I walked in the door both of them had sorta become one with the side of the building. I go into the back room, and find Vortelli's fat ass pretty much in the same spot where he had been where I had left. He turns around in his chair and starts to talk shit, but he didn't get the first word out before I had lifted him out of his chair and busted the table with his fat ass. I picked the tub of lard up again and sorta dragged him around the room, using him as a bat on whatever happened to be there at the time. I finally got bored as we came to a slot machine. I slammed Vortelli's head against the panel and stuffed his head into the catch tray. I normally like to think of myelf as a pretty nice guy, but being iced by this clown and really burned my ass. I fished a Susan B outta my pocket and dropped it into the slot, then pulled the bandit's handle. I could see Vortelli's eyes widen as the tumblers fell into place. Triple seven, the jackpot. Vortelli opened his mouth to scream, but the coins falling down into his mouth silenced it before it even began. He tried to get up but I held him down as the coins continued to fill his mouth. It didn't take long before his struggles weakened, then stopped altogether. Paid back in his own coin. Maybe someone up there has a sense of humor after all.

That's about the end of it, I guess. I rifled the place and found Vortelli's safe. I busted it open and sure enough, my winnings were still there. I didn't need them anymore, though. I called a delivery service and for a few G's tip, the courier was willing to deliver a sack filled with C notes to the local shelter, no questions asked. I didn't need it, might as well let someone have it who does, right? So to make a short story even shorter, that's the end of my tale. Maybe one day you'll see it on one of those urban legends shows, but you'll know the truth. The crow took off for parts unknown some time ago, and I'm feeling myself starting to weaken, so I guess it's time for me to go. Get on with unlife and such. I have one of the pistols that I liberated from one of the goons, and it's time to seal the deal. A man's gotta do what he's gotta do, in life AND death, you know. Right?

Wow. Very well written, keep up the good work.

that was awesome. sorta reminds me of the crow. but o well. keep up the good work. hope to see more of ya.

Well. . . welcome! and um let me red it. . . *reads* me has questions! ok 1. Is this your story or you just made it up?
2. Diablo Afortunado means "lucky devil" right?
3. Soo are you spanish?
4. hmm I guess that's why the character is called DA (Diablo Afortunado) because of the Casino Stuff, right?

Umm let me stop it was really good, well I shocked myself since I don't usually pay attention to threads that have alot to read lol so I guess there's something in you that tells me you have talent. Stop by my thread sometime and don't forget to leave a comment!