The summer of my 22nd birthday, my friends J.D., Allan, and I were out to enjoy ourselves and cause mischief. My husband Sean was away from home; and my mother had the children for the night. The night was ours to let loose, have fun, and relive our adolescence. At that time in my life I was on top of the world. I had just received a $12,000 check for a year and a half worth of back pay from the government. I was ready to party. My male comrades caused a scene at the bar causing us to flee before the cops arrived. My friend J.D., who was known as the gothic cowboy by our friends, was in a panic. While behind the wheel of my car, he decided we should lie low in Oklahoma for a few hours. In our addled and drunken state, we all agreed. He was extremely excited to reunite with his estranged family in the area. His faux brother Allan and I were enthusiastic for a much different reason. Neither of us had ever been to a casino before and there was one on the way. I had heard many fabulous and fascinating stories from friends and family who had been to them. Unfortunately, I would soon learn of a much darker side to what I was told. While gambling is not physically or chemically addictive, and is considered a harmless recreational activity by many, it is still an extremely addictive and destructive habit. After a brief though touching reunion between JD and his family, we made our way to the casino. “Here it is!” I thought to myself, the moment has finally arrived. As I take my first step into a casino, I take a step through time and space. I am suddenly a child again, filled with excitement as I enter the arcade in hopes of winning a fabulous prize. My senses are filled with delight. I am positively mesmerized at the sea of machines and flashing multi-colored lights that lay before my eyes. I can still smell the musky, full bodied, scent of vanilla tobacco that engulfed and filled me with an inner sense of tranquility. A seven foot tall albino buffalo acts as the gatekeeper to this new and magical plane. He silently beckons me to relinquish all to align myself