Book1:TeDream-Maker

chardrofessionalgambler,notadversettopettythieverywhenhewasdownonhisluck，buthehadhisowncodeofhonorandtookcareofthosehesideredhisfriends．HealwayslookedoutforYoko，too，protegherfromwolveswhotriedtotakeadvantageofheryouthandinnoce．Itwastohiscreditthatheriedtotakeanylibertieswithheraedherasayoungersister；andYokoonherpart,alwayshadaotinherheartforthemeagerman．

    "DidyouseeAmaliatoday?"askedYoko

    "Yeah．Shesaysit’sher80-year-oldbirthdaytodayanddrankherselfuhetable．Itookherhome.”

    Shelookedsad-facedasshethoughtofhowfrustratedAmaliamusthavebeenallday，waitingforhertbacktheseedmooeogetbacktoherbelovedgamblingtablesandtryherluher80thbirthday,adayoffelicitythatshewassurewouldturideoftheirretmisfortunes．

    "Shethoughtshecouldtonmeaherdown,”thoughtYokotritely．"Shetookmeinandbroughtmeupasherown，aherspehbirthdayalone，solingherselfwithwine!No，I’tdothat!ButhowIgetholdofsomemoheonlyvaluablethingIhaveismybody.”SheturnedhereyestoRichard’sbulgingpocketsandhadanidea．

    "WoRichard?"

    "Betwhat?"

    "IfIwin,yougiveme10,000．IfIlose,Ilosemyselftoyouforlife．How’sthat?I’mserious.”Thegamblerinhimwasintriguedbythisunusualwagerandherosetothebait．

    "Whatdoyouwanttobet?"

    90页

    "Ihave60left．I’llgoina．IfIlose,Iloseall；butifIwimywinningsandyour10,000.”

    "It’sadeal!"hesaid．Theludicrouscouple,withtheirpreposterousandfarcicalbet，walkedintothegamblinghouse．Itwasnoisyandsmoky．Excitedshoutsofperpetualoptimistsandedcursesofdesperateloserscouldbeheardinallersoftheroom．WalkingtotheDo