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Here it caet, but had to admit I’d missed The music outside was just so much noise compared to the symphony inside The rattle of chips, the cry of the winner and the ht tears to asped as the ball fell and danced around the circle I edged closer What number had hit? If it had been seven black,on here?" Valdez bu-eyed at Valdez "Did that dog just talk?"

"No, you iave Valdez a stern look "You know the rules, Valdez Cool it around mortals Now I have to erase Tony’s memory and I’ve only been here a few minutes"

"Whatever Just stay out of that tent You can take care of Crappola later"

"If I want to gaamble This isn’t the real deal It’s just for fun"

" You can’t have that kind of fun, Blondie You go nuts and you know it" Valdez actually stepped between me and the roulette table

My fault I never should have let Valdez cos of Gamblers Anony all the warning signs, etcetera, etcetera Of course I’d had a ra onwith maxed out credit cards, and quit cold turkey I’ve been clean now for four years, six months and twenty-two days And, believe

I looked inside the tent I could same hurt? Texas Hold ’e--

Oof! I was flat onsat on my chest

"Get off, you mutt! You’re not allowed to treat me this way" I shoved at Valdez He didn’t move an inch

"Sorry, Blondie Mr Blade ordered me to take care of you His orders trurel No" Oof "More" Oof "Cheetos" Ugh "For you" Da Valdez was so else and it sure wasn’t just a Labradoodle

" Now you’re being mean You know I love my Cheetos But orders are orders" His paws pressed down on my shoulders when I tried one th, no varin atto pop free" How could such a spawn of Satan look so cute? If I didn’t know better I’d think he was doing the whammy on me I closedtail on s while I adjusted my bustier At least only Tony Crappeta had witnessed this humiliation If another va sitting on o into that tent" I opened ainst Valdez’s warrip and yanked, I could take out a big hunk of fur But I wouldn’t Because he was right I didn’t need to gaain

" You sure?" He was braced, like for pain in case I decided to let ’er rip

"I’m sure I’ll even dance with Crapetta here if that will lanced at Tony He ide-eyed, but obviously still under the influence of the whammy I’d started before I’d been knocked on my ass

"I’d pay money to see you dance with Crapetta" Blade strolled up "Off the lady, Valdez I can handle things from here"

"Of course He called you, didn’t he?" I sat up as soon as Valdez hopped off of me So a, then atHe has no choice"

"Da absolutely no privacy" I reluctantly took Blade’s outstretched hand and let him pull me to my feet I brushed off the back of my skirt and discovered my forked tail was bent out of shape Hey, 7 was bent out of shape At least we’d had a dry autunity That was long gone I did hten my tail while Tony still stared Time to cut hiet everything about this little scene Go back in to the drink tent and get another double Mr Blade is here now"