elena

The Gambler

Summary——

Joe Morren is considered a “good boy” and has lived up his nickname till he was twenty one. His kid brother was vastly otherwise. Known as the wild boy in town, Jim Morren seems like an uncontrollable fifteen year old rebel. Their roles changed when they had to leave their hometown and make their own living. Joe had no choice but to leave his perfect score in morality to make a living and keep his brother and himself alive. But when gambling no longer became a means to survive but an irresistible addiction, trouble begins...


Story line——

Joe banged the dingy old door shut and glanced around the small room for Jim. He found his younger brother already on the table, wolfing down his bread as he tied his shoelaces, ready for his work shift. Joe smiled to himself. Somehow this desperate situation has taught the boy a thing or two about hard work. Now Jim was very serious about actually surviving.

“Food in the cupboard.” Jim informed him shortly as he stepped towards the door Joe just closed. Before Joe could answer, Jim had opened and banged the door shut, and all he could hear now was the quick footsteps crunching into the crystal like snow. Joe sighed deeply. Man, he was tired. Yawning, he stuffed the bread into his mouth and stumbled into the bedroom, flopping himself unto the hard mattress. In five minutes, he was fast asleep. He only woke up five hours later at the sound of muffled coughing nearby. Sleepily, he winked his eyes open and mumbled, “Jim that you?”

“Yeah why?” More muffled coughing, this time louder.

“Why’re you coughing.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Dunno. Choked or something?” Jim sounded irritated as he climbed up the ladder to his bed.

“Sure?” Joe asked one more time as a conclusion.

“Yes. Shut up now I wanna sleep too.” That was that. Joe being so tired did not hear the continuous muffled coughing above him. An hour later he woke up in irritation at the alarm clock, but groaned and rose up from bed. There was not any coughing sound now, and Jim was sleeping quite peacefully on his left side, little rolls of snores rising up from his mouth, sometimes very loud, sometimes mere breaths. A smile rolling within his unheard sigh, Joe headed for the door, the dawning air cool with dew. It was this time of the morning that caused him to feel even more inclined to the bed, yet also good and warm inside. He swung easily into the bus, found a seat, and gazed out of the window quietly, watching the morning frost sparkle against the foggy streetlights. It must be tough on Jim, he thought suddenly. The boy had to wake when what one wanted most was sleep, and venture to that cold night knowing that it will only get colder till he comes back home. Then warmth outside will not help anything.

He was curled up on the couch, coughing uncontrollably, gasping desperately for air. Heaven knows how long he has been like this. Then to Joe’s further horror blood was coming out of his brother’s mouth. Alarm filled Joe’s eyes. This was serious. He grabbed the phone and called the hospital. Hands shaking slightly, he breathed a prayer while the telephone beeped unbearably. After what seemed like hours, the phone was finally picked up.

“My brother- he’s coughing up blood, I don’t think he can breathe, and-“ Joe burst out, but was quickly interrupted.

“Sorry, but are you a citizen or an premium member of this hospital?”

“What?!?” Joe exploded, then calming himself he replied, “No but-“

“Then I’m sorry we can’t help you.” The phone clicked and the long beeps came again. Unable to thaw from his state of surprise, Joe stood there stock still, phone still in his hands. Then he found himself, and called the other hospital. It also refused him. Joe glanced at his brother. Jim was very pale, and it was obvious that he needed oxygen. Frightened tears began to trickle against his white face, the coughing became more desperate and serious. Joe rushed to the younger boy’s side and clutched his waist, unsure of what to do. He thumped the shaking back, whispering, “Calm down, breathe, just try breathing.”

He knew he had to do something other than just this. But those two Hospitals who had just rejected him were the only two around. He knew no other. Except... there was another small Mission hospital, but they were built especially for those who had no one to care for them. And it was more than 30 kilometres away. If he should bring Jim there, it may be too late. Still, it was the only choice. Knowing it was cold outside, he dashed to the room to get all the coats he had and wrapped them around Jim. “Hang on, I’m gonna take you to the hospital.” He said as he half- carried, half dragged his brother to the door. He carried all the money he had just in case, and grabbed one of the idling cabs outside. He managed to open the door and tumble in, still holding on to Jim tightly. “To the Mission hospital outside of town. Please.”

The driver, after recovering from his shock, stated slowly, “Mission hospital. Outside of town.”

“Yes, please! I need to get there quick- my Brother-“

“Yer brother-“ the driver motioned to the coughing boy, “he got infectious disease?”

“N-no, I don’t think so.”

“Hm.” The driver thought for a fraction of a second, then, staring at Jim’s serious condition, said, “don’t say I ain’t a heartless man, I’ll drive ya if you got money.”

“I have. Money.” Joe stuttered thankfully. The driver nodded and started his car. Joe took a deep breath and managed to calm down. He continued rubbing the boy’s back, praying and constantly murmuring to Jim, “hang on there. We’re reaching. Hang on.”

The coughing slowly stopped, but he still couldn’t breathe. Jim’s eyes began to close, and his lips showed a hint of blue. Joe desperately tilted the younger boy’s head and rubbed on his chest, willing him breathe. Shallow gasps came in, barely enough to sustain him. “Hang on there hang on there hang on there...” Joe muttered, both to himself and to his nearly unconscious brother.

It seemed like hours until the cab finally came to a halt in front of a dingy looking building. To Joe’s relief, a few faint lights were gleaming in some windows. He glanced and the cabby who was waiting for him patiently. “Please sir, can I leave my brother here awhile- I need to check if they’ll let us in.”

The driver’s widened with shock and pity. “You mean you went all the way here without even knowing if you’ll be let in? Go on, then.”

“Thank you so much sir.” Joe said gratefully as he opened the cab door and rushed to the closed doors of the Mission hospital. With shaking hands, he pressed the door bell and waited anxiously, turning around to check on Jim in the cab. He rubbed his hands and stomped his snowy boots, Ten rang the bell again. This time, a nurse opened the door with caution. “Yes sir? What do you want?” She asked warily.

“Please ma’am, my brother is very ill- he’s coughing up blood and he can’t breathe.” Joe blurted out. “Please, I know we’re not top priority to enter this hospital, but the other two don’t let us in either.”

“I’m sorry sir. We’re strictly for those who do not have family or guardians to care for them. As you are a family member of your brother, we cannot let you in. We simply cannot make exceptions.”

Joe was dumbstruck. Even the Mission hospital refused them? He stiffened at the harsh words, then spoke in a low voice to keep his temper and worry in check, “Ma’am, look at the words above you. ‘To serve the poor, to love the unloved.’ Do you stereotype that as those who only fit that phrase in a literal manner? We don’t have anywhere else to go, and my brother will die soon if nothing is done!” Saying his greatest fear aloud made him stop as the aching in his heart threatened tears to come out of his wild eyes. “Please, ma’am. I’ll pay. Just help us please.” His voice cracked and he no longer felt rage, but helplessness mingled with an emotional hope.

The nurse’s eyes soften slightly as she looked over to the waiting cab. “Alright. I am the head nurse and have a right to let you in. I shall, but be sure to pay and to not tell anyone, do you hear?”

“Oh thank you ma’am, I promise!”

Joe rushed to the cab, stuffed money to the driver’s hands with a quick but greatly sincere thank you, then hoisted his now unconscious brother into his arms, staggering to the hospital’s open door. To his relief, he still felt an unsteady heartbeat in Jim’s still chest as he carefully laid the boy into the hastily set bed. He stared at his kid brother. The boy’s eyes were closed and his face was deathly pale. There were no longer gasps for his breaths. He was completely silent and still. oh please Jim you gotta fight this. He begged in his heart.

An oxygen mask was pushed upon the boy’s face and sounds of caved in breathing began to fill the small room. A tube was plunged deep into his mouth and moments later began sucking out blood from his heaving lungs. A nurse constantly monitored his still unsteady pulse while another

“If you’ll excuse me, sir.” It was the voice of another nurse. “You will have to stand aside as we tend to your brother.”

Joe nodded and watched their every movements warily and anxiously.

Soon voices began to merge from all over the room.

“Stats! More oxygen, move it to level six!”

“...losing the heartbeat, fetch the shock, 120 volts...”

“No!”

“Clear... now!”

beep - beep - beep

“One more time, all clear!”

Silence.

A jolt form Jim’s body broke the quiet tension. Then to everyone’s relief, there was a no longer a straight horizontal line on the heart monitor.


Joe’s eyes unconsciously flitted around the room, where tubes and drips decorated it like Christmas wreaths and fairy lights, shining eerie lights that flash dollar signs all over. How much..? How...?

“I’m sorry,” Jim whispered. He tried to continue, but was overwhelmed with a violent series of coughs. Joe winced as he wiped the blood away from his brother’s lips.

“Don’t say that.” He replied, “it isn’t your fault. Stop blaming yourself like this, okay? You just gotta save your strength to fight this.” He bit his lip, wishing he this was all a bad, horrible dream and that he will wake up to his alarm clock set at 5:00 am, and hear Jim’s loud snoring on top of the bunk. But he knew that was not going to happen in a long time. Maybe never. He sensed a cold shiver run up his spine, and suddenly he was so frightened, like a little child. A thousand thoughts strung across his mind-

How am I supposed to pay for all this? Should I go to work and leave alone in this state? Should I just pull him outta here and let him recover at home? But he’s hardly getting better here! What if he never recovers? What if he dies? I’ll never forgive myself, what am I going to say to Dad and Mom if I ever saw them again? I must think of a way to solve this! But how?

Sighing, Joe knew he had to go back to work. To earn enough to keep his brother alive. His hand stretched out and patted Jim’s shoulders.

“I gotta go, okay? Gotta work.”

“Yeah sure.”

“You just rest and get better, hear me? I’ll try to come back asap.”

“I’ll be fine. Just go.” It was barely a whisper.

“Okay. See you bro.”

“Mm.”

Joe roused from his chair and headed for the door. Without a fraction of hesitation, he stepped out of the hospital room and out of the hospital into the streets. With quick steps, nearly running, he hastened to the cluster of office buildings that dominated the large piece of land about 1 kilometre away. He ran.

He didn’t notice Jim gazing out of the window, his hazel eyes staring deep into his running pose, tears welling up inside, but an impassive mask endowed upon his pale face.

~~~

“Wanna come along with us after work?”

It was Mike, leaning against the table, his milky breath providing an aura of evil innocence around the workplace. Joe looked up from his calculations, trying to hide his irritation.

“What doing?”

Mike just grinned, and without waiting for an answer, Joe added, “Anyway I can’t go.” He lifted his hands slightly in the air. “Gotta go back.”

Mike rolled his eyes. He placed a strong grasp on Joe’s shoulder. “Joe lad you always said you needed more money. I don’t know why the heck, but if you really want money, come with us.”

Now Joe was paying full attention. “What? What doing?” He repeated, his eyes now fully fixed on the other man’s bleary ones.

“Gambling, man.” Mike’s eyes squinted with excitement, his mind already on the multiple times he won the game.

Joe sighed. Why was it always like this, that something he needed must be brought out of evil.

Mike continued gazing into the boy, anticipating an answer. He was prominently know as Lucky because he kept winning. But it was the mind, really. He knew that the boy had not much money, but he was smart. If Joe gets money, Mike was sure the ambitious youth will exponent it into wealth. Then he, Mike, the master gambler, can take it all away. The boy may be smart, but no one can beat the highest ranking man in the office, surely. He knew all the tricks. 40 over years experience! Besides, if that doesn’t work, a lil ransom will do. Surely there is someone that boy has close to. Or else why should he work so hard?

~~~

Joe couldn’t believe himself. What was he doing? This was the very game that he loathed and despised, that he considered a sin. The very evil he had warned his brother about. And here he was, on the old wooden table, a few pints of beer scattered around, cards and dice sprawled, and money. Stacks of them. These were big bills. They were playing real. What if he lost?

Mike seemed to be reading his thoughts. “We just play light today for your sake, so that if you lose, it’ll just be a few dollars. Gotta get the hang of it first no?” He chuckled.

The game started. Very soon, stacks of money were being passed around. Joe made sure he did not keep a very big stack, but he did keep a close eye on the person who was in turn studying the currently richest guy. The cards slammed down, grunts of disappointment, poker faces everywhere. Joe smiled behind his stern complexion. He’s got it, alright. He never knew this could be so intense- and fun. He was the Mastermind. At this rate, he could actually control all of the players. But play safe first. The person he was watching finally got his big stack of money.

Now.

Joe carefully placed down his Ace and motioned for the stack of bills. He loved how his eyes were slightly squinting with pleasure and how the other man’s face was struck with utter surprise. A nagging uneasiness still bubbled in him as he gathered the small bills and stuffed them into his wallet. Without a word, he left the place, unheeding to Mike’s low whistle.

~~~

He seemed to be sleeping, his eyes closed and his cheeks flushed against the whiteness of his face. Joe decided not to disturb him. His fingers reached down to his shabby jeans, touching the bulging wallet. He had spent $2 for his dinner, but there was still a solid $20, and he was trying to ignore the nagging guilt by arguing that this is for Jim’s good.

Just then the nurse came in softly. Joe turned to her and motioned to his brother. “How’s he?”

“The fever came back, and he was in pain again, because of coughing too much, so we gave him morphine and Panadol. I think he will wake soon.”

Joe sighed, then gave a grateful nod to the nurse as she started checking Jim’s temperature and blood pressure.

It’s gonna be alright, he thought. I got the money, got the potential to keep up with stuff. He will get better, and everything will be fine.

~~~

It was those nights, which were almost every night that he went, that he was happiest. Poker face, silent, chill, seems to be losing big money, failing heavy, then a careful placing of the ace. At least half of the money on the table goes to him, and he goes out feeling satisfied. He would go to the hospital late at night, far past visiting hours, but the kind nurse will allow him in, knowing he was working. Then he would be greeted by a slowly recovering Jim, who has started to wonder how the hospital fees were being paid. That was the one thing that Joe dreaded telling. He can’t possibly say anything of the sort to his brother. It will destroy everything. So usually he will just brush it aside or, if Jim began to fret of the bills not being paid at all, he would say that that month he got a bonus or something like that. So far, it worked.

Then finally, after three long months sick, Jim was able to go home. He insisted he find work, but Joe was worried about his still unstable health.

“You rest for a month or so first, then we talk about this again.”

“Yeah but the money...!”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“I don’t believe you can-“

“SHUT UP!” Joe nearly screamed. He didn’t know what it was that made him mad, but he was irritated with Jim’s doubt. Can’t the boy just trust him like a child does to his older brother? Still enraged, he continued, “You just listen to what I say, then everything’s gonna work out! Can’t you keep quiet and- and rest!” With that he stormed out of the house and slammed the door like he never thought he could.

Inside the house, Jim frowned. It wasn’t like his brother to lose his temper. On the contrary, usually it was him who spewed out those kind of words. Something is amiss, he thought.