I love to play poker! With me, it was a passion. My father had explained the game to me when I was a young girl. I found it most intriguing. I compared it to chess only with money, sometimes lots and lots of money. Over the years I improved on my playing skills and techniques. Besides skill, I had one exceptional gift, luck. There were many games where I couldnāt lose, the cards fell my way. Of course, there were those times when I couldnāt buy a good hand. I had the common sense to get out of those games quickly, not even looking back. No sense throwing money out on the table just to see it get raked away. I always kept one thing in mind, money management. Although I hadnāt perfected the art of money management, I felt I was damn close.
In college, I played every Friday and Saturday night. There was usually a game going on at one or another of the frat houses. If not, you could always find a game somewhere in one of the coed dormitories. I spend most of my school day evenings finding out where all the games were going to be. I only played for money, serious money, not nickels and dimes. I didnāt waste my time playing strip poker with a bunch of beer drinking guys either. I had my share of sex, just not while there was a game going on somewhere. Sex was my second passion. I couldnāt keep a boyfriend, most of them condemning me for being a ācompulsive gamblerā. Maybe I was, but as long as I was winning, I didnāt care. I spent four long years in college, earning a Bachelorās Degree in Accounting and Finance. I also earned a lot of money playing poker during those four long years.
As you can see, money was also my passion. I wanted lots of it and I was willing to do whatever it took to make it. I couldnāt see doing the nine-to-five thing for forty years till I could draw social security and retire in some cramped apartment. I wanted the better things in life and I wanted them now while I was young enough to enjoy them.
I interviewed with quite a few corporate recruiters during my last semester in college. I felt I was doing as much of the interviewing as the recruiters were. I asked more questions than they did. I often felt I had discouraged the people doing the interviews from being interested in me. I didnāt really care; I was looking for something that would allow me to pursue my real passion, poker. I needed to be close to the action if not right in the middle of it. I had enough cash on hand to support myself for awhile so I took my time finding the right situation. It got to the point where I didnāt bother attending some of the recruiting sessions. I just went when I felt like it.
Most of the large corporations had made their pass through our campus. Some of my friends were lucky and got some fairly good jobs. There were others who were passed over. They felt their futures looked pretty dim in the limited job market. I felt sorry for them, offering words of encouragement, but my words often fell on deaf ears.
I noticed a posting in my dormitory lobby informing graduating students of an upcoming job recruitment session. The recruiters were small businesses, not the large corporations whoād moved on. I was wasting my time even reading the notice. I did glance down at some of the business names and their locations. Nothing in Vegas, Reno or Tahoe so I went on up to my dorm room. I did make a mental note of the date and time just in case I might have second thought later on. I didnāt have any plans the day the small business recruiters came to our campus so I thought Iād kill some time by going over to the student center. I put on my make-up, high-heels and best dress, trying to look businesslike. There were quite a few tables and booths set up. I walked up and down the rows just to see if anything would catch my attention. I had just about made my way down the last aisle. I glanced at a sign posted on front of a table in one of the booths. It was an accounting firm based in Phoenix, Arizona. There was a young man and woman sitting behind the table. They smiled at me and I smiled back.
āHello.ā The young man spoke. āAre you a graduating student?ā
āYes, Iāll graduate in a few weeks.ā I replied.
The couple smiled and asked what my major was. I told them Iād have a Bachelorās Degree in Accounting and Finance. The looked at each other and then back towards me. They asked if Iād like to be interviewed.
āSure.ā I replied almost hesitantly. āIf you really think you might be interested.ā I added.
The young man introduced himself and his female co-worker. I introduced myself and we shook hands. The young man motioned for me to come back behind the table to another area they had set up for private interviewing. I walked behind him as he led me to the area. We sat at a table with two chairs next to each other. He asked if I had a resume of any kind or class documentations. I handed him a copy of both. He seemed a little surprised that I had any work experience. Iād worked for my father during the summers doing bookkeeping for his friends. I sat in a chair facing towards him. I made sure I had a good amount of leg showing without making it obvious I was using my body as bait.
I often dressed sexy for poker games, finding the art of seduction and distraction worked in my favor. I often made little gestures or remarks just to keep everyone from concentrating on the game at hand. If it worked at poker, it might help me land a good job I where I wanted. It was worth a try anyway. I watched as the young man read over my resume and class records. I also noticed his eyes drifting over the top of the paper checking out my legs. He seemed more interested in my legs than the materials I had put together. He asked a few questions and I answered them truthfully. I crossed my legs and pushed my foot downward. The gesture tightened my leg muscles, made my legs look sleeker. I kept a hint of a smile on my face so Iād look friendly. Iād used the same gestures during poker games all over campus.
Phillip, the young man conducting the interview seemed sincerely interested in me. He asked if I would have any reservations about locating to Phoenix after graduation. I told him I thought Iād love to live in Phoenix. In the back of my mind I was trying to figure out how far Phoenix was from Vegas and Reno. I sure didnāt want to ask Phillip. That question would have probably killed the interview. He reread my paperwork over again, occasionally glancing at my legs. I think the bait was working. I hoped it was anyway; my high-heels were killing my feet.
Phillip talked about the accounting firm he was recruiting for. It was fairly small but growing as they brought in new business clients. It was a sound firm; some of the partners were graduates of major universities with Masters Degrees. He reviewed the job and what I might be doing. The chances for advancement and raises would be available but Iād have to earn them. The starting salary wasnāt the best, but comparable with some of the large corporations. I acted interested just to keep him volunteering information. The young lady, Marla who was sitting at the front table came back to the area and joined in on the discussion. She was attractive, her skirt rose almost as short as my dress had. Marla reviewed my class documentations. She looked over the top of her glasses as she scanned the papers. She seemed interested in pursuing the interview further but time was running short. The recruiting sessions were scheduled to close in a matter of a few minutes. I was expecting Phillip or Marla to offer me their business card and say theyād get back in touch with me.
āIām sure our firm would like to have you as an associate.ā Marla stated. āThat is, if you think you might be interested.ā
I told them I was interested. I could always tell them different later on, if I changed my mind.
āPhillip and I are staying at the Clarkson Inn on Highway 30.ā She informed me. āWeād like to talk with you more before we fly back to Phoenix tomorrow morning. Would that be possible?ā
āSure. Iād be more than happy to discuss the job with you further.ā I replied.
They asked me if I could meet them at their hotel later that evening. Phillip suggested we meet for dinner at the hotelās restaurant. It sounded good to me. I didnāt know of any poker games going on. Most to the other students were cramming for final exams. I agreed to meet them in the hotel lobby at 6:00. They asked if I needed transportation. I had my own car so I could drive myself. I thanked them for their offer though. I shook hands with Phillip and Marla and left.
I hurried back to my dorm room and booted up my computer. I was anxious to find out how far Vegas was from Phoenix. I clicked on a mapping website, typing in the information I needed to find the distance. Vegas was less than three-hundred miles from Phoenix. I figured maybe five hours to drive the distance, an hour by commuter plane. I was close to the real action. Probably as close as Iād be able to find employment and still enjoy my passion for poker on a frequent basis.
I had a few hours till my dinner date with Phillip and Marla so I took a short nap stretching out on my bed. I didnāt know where my roommate was; probably up in her boyfriendās room, screwing his brains out. I dosed for about and hour or so. I showered and picked out something to wear. I figured sexy but still dressy would be my best bet. If I had to flirt a little with Phillip to get the job, I wanted to be dressed appropriately. I kind of suspected maybe Phillip and Marla might have something going on between the two of them so Iād have to play it by ear. I didnāt want to get caught between the two of them and blow this chance. I picked out a black leather skirt and white blouse trimmed in black lace. The outfit went well with my sandy blonde hair. With my black high-heels, I looked hot yet dressy. I checked my make-up, grabbed my purse and headed downstairs.
I kept my car parked in the student parking lot where it was fairly secure. It wasnāt much, but I wanted to wait till after graduation before buying a better car. I drove north out of town on highway 30 towards the Clarkson Inn. It was about a fifteen minute drive. I pulled into the hotelās parking lot and headed for the lobby. I was a little bit early but better to be early than late. I entered the hotel lobby, spotting Phillip and Marla as they stepped off the elevator. They waved when they saw me. I walked towards them and we exchanged greetings. Phillip complimented me on my attire.
The restaurant was located right off the lobby so we didnāt have to walk far. We were seated at a nice table secluded in a quiet corner of the restaurant. Weād be able to talk without being disturbed. I glanced over the menu, deciding what to order. Marla ordered a bottle of red wine for the three of us to share before dinner. Wine was something Marla and I shared a liking for. Phillip mentioned that they were picking up the tab since this was a business dinner. I didnāt order anything expensive, not wanting them to think I would take advantage of their hospitality. We sipped the chilled wine and talked about my college years. I was careful not to mention anything to do with gambling. Gambling would be a definite turn-off to people in the accounting business. The waitress served our meals so we concentrated more on eating than talking. After dinner, Phillip and I drank coffee. Marla wasnāt a coffee drinker so she drank a little more of the wine.
Marla and I chatted about Phoenix. Iād never been there so she described the city and the surrounding area. She made mention of its fairly close proximity to several of the lakes and Las Vegas. I asked her about the lakes, steering clear of her mention of Vegas. She had lived in Phoenix all her life so she knew her way around the entire state. The restaurant was filling up rather quickly, making it a little difficult to talk with much privacy. Marla suggested we find someplace quieter to continue the interview. I agreed it was a good idea. Marla casually suggested we go up to her room on the third floor. It would be much more relaxing and casual to further discuss the job.