- Sep 22, 2013
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This is a fortune-parable (I need to stop writing someday) inspired by the film Honeymoon in Vegas.
Cheers (and Happy Valentine's Day USMB --- hey, it's fast-approaching),
====
Shylock went through a landmark trial during which he was certain he was due the rights to collect on an unpaid debt, which he intended to collect through punishment, since the offender (a delinquent debtor named Antonius) was very arrogant about his obligation to pay. Shylock cited all kinds of civics principles, especially ones regarding neglect. A young intelligent woman (Antonius's reluctant fiancée) named Penelope stepped in to save Antonius's mortal soul. This trial would be the first case involving the 'metaphysics of gambling,' and it would inspire Shakespeare to pen a famous play about debt and forgiveness.
Epochs later, Hollywood became the new 'gem' of lifestyle-idealism, and beautiful young actresses were the 'trophies' of this new art form. A young French actress was busy making a film about a young starlet falling in love with a croupier at a luxurious casino and discovering the temptations of gambling and the allure of fortune(!). This actress was something like the 'modern rendition of Penelope.' The Devil (Satan) had his eyes on this actress, because she had the power to 'turn heads' and turn them onto the complexity of modern gambling and maybe even the American Dream!
Of course, everyone knew of the bootlegging and gaming recreation activities of infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone and his notorious 'speak-easy' clubs where gambling was something of a 'spiritual thrill.' There was no Jesus at these clubs, only the Devil. Gambling was a form of 'recreational philosophy,' and the legacy of course would be Trump Taj Mahal (way before Donald Trump would be elected as U.S. President). Meanwhile, Hollywood had made countless films about gambling, including Casino, Honeymoon in Vegas, and Indecent Proposal.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White were the popular co-hosts of the modern-day American fortune-spin gameshow Wheel of Fortune. Pat and Vanna were also married and committed to each other (very deeply). They both cared about the prestige and honor of the gameshow which really represented all of the idealistic youthfulness of the proverbial American Dream. Perhaps both Jesus and Satan were present to witness the optimistic development of this iconic gameshow. However, Satan wondered if modern American audiences could somehow be 'swayed' to become hypnotized by fortune-hunting...and gambling. This was the time when comic book media also began to take off, presenting vigilantism-daydream films such as Batman and Captain America. Everyone was fantasizing about being 'super.'
Well, a defecting member of British intelligence named James Spyder decided to become a 'freelance-mercenary,' lending out his services for various heist and subversion 'missions' (usually employed by nefarious groups but sometimes by idealistic freedom-fighters). Spyder was a terrific poker-player, but he was also very skilled with handling a pistol. Spyder began to work with a European toy-company, designing special metal toy water-pistols with a nifty dollar-sign ($) insignia printed on them. These water-guns, known as 'Spyder-Guns' became the toast of Amsterdam and Barcelona (especially among youngsters during the hot summer months). Spyder decided he should 'celebrate' by pulling off a grand casino-heist.
Spyder was on board a passenger flight from Amsterdam to Las Vegas (Nevada, USA), preparing for his 'terrific casino-heist,' when he noticed that a beautiful KLM (Dutch airlines) stewardess (named Elsa) was being harassed by two businessmen. Spyder decided to intercede (to help Elsa). Spyder noticed that the two businessmen (young arrogant wealthy Americans named Ted and Tom) were 'betting' to see who Elsa would agree to court. Spyder was eyeing Elsa, since he started falling in love with her simple charm and almost attractive vulnerability. Satan was eyeing the entire incident (wondering what Jesus would say!).
SPYDER: This stewardess wants to be left alone...
ELSA: You two gentlemen should listen to 'Mr. Spyder.'
TED: This 'Spyder-dude' looks like a quack, honey!
TOM: Yeah, c'mon Elsa...choose between me and Ted.
SPYDER: I'll make you a counter-wager.
ELSA: Maybe I should call the pilot to restore order here.
TED: No, no, I wanna hear Mr. Spyder's proposition!
TOM: Yeah, what'll it be...a cool European hand of poker, Spyder?
SPYDER: No, let's see which of us (me, Ted, or Tom) can have Elsa guess our card.
ELSA: So, Mr. Spyder has a deck of playing-cards (how quaint)!
TED: Alright, I'm in.
TOM: Elsa will guess my card --- I'll bet $1000.
SPYDER: Great. So everyone has their card, and Elsa must guess.
ELSA: Alright. Spyder has Ace of clubs, Ted has Jack of diamonds, and Tom has 10 of spades.
TED: I'm out. That's not my card...
TOM: I'm out too; you win, Spyder (right?).
SPYDER: That's right, I have the Ace of clubs (but I signalled to Elsa).
ELSA: Why did you tell them that, Mr. Spyder?
TED: Yeah, you cheated!
TOM: I want a re-match!
Spyder explained he signalled to Elsa because he genuinely loved her, so the cheating was done honourably, while a victory by Ted or Tom (given that they were crudely hitting on the vulnerable stewardess) would be a 'lower-form' of victory (one by lust only). Ted and Tom laughed aloud, not wanting to cause trouble, and Elsa was impressed with Spyder's strange sense of 'vigilantism-oriented honor.' Elsa asked Spyder why he helped her, and he told her, "Heck, you remind me of my sister...she's a school-teacher!" Elsa and James Spyder married. Satan frowned in disgust.
Years later, Satan approached Mr. Spyder and offered him a lucrative deal to adapt his special 'vigilantism-oriented love-story' for a great Hollywood film directed by Adrian Lyne (titled the Flight Game). Spyder turned the Devil down, but he always wondered if such a 'fortune-meditation' film would 'spiritually transform' him and Elsa into Pat Sajak and Vanna White! Who could resist such a symbolic offer? Nevertheless, Spyder concluded that true-love was better than adventure (or fantasy!). Elsa and Spyder had their honeymoon in Atlantic City (New Jersey, USA). James Spyder gave up gambling...and took up writing! This was a real Shakespearean love-story. Nevertheless, the Devil had his day. The capitalism-gamble film American Made (starring Tom Cruise) was nevertheless made, and it was ironically quite 'symbolic' of 'piracy-games' in the modern world. THE END
====
Cheers (and Happy Valentine's Day USMB --- hey, it's fast-approaching),
====
Shylock went through a landmark trial during which he was certain he was due the rights to collect on an unpaid debt, which he intended to collect through punishment, since the offender (a delinquent debtor named Antonius) was very arrogant about his obligation to pay. Shylock cited all kinds of civics principles, especially ones regarding neglect. A young intelligent woman (Antonius's reluctant fiancée) named Penelope stepped in to save Antonius's mortal soul. This trial would be the first case involving the 'metaphysics of gambling,' and it would inspire Shakespeare to pen a famous play about debt and forgiveness.
Epochs later, Hollywood became the new 'gem' of lifestyle-idealism, and beautiful young actresses were the 'trophies' of this new art form. A young French actress was busy making a film about a young starlet falling in love with a croupier at a luxurious casino and discovering the temptations of gambling and the allure of fortune(!). This actress was something like the 'modern rendition of Penelope.' The Devil (Satan) had his eyes on this actress, because she had the power to 'turn heads' and turn them onto the complexity of modern gambling and maybe even the American Dream!
Of course, everyone knew of the bootlegging and gaming recreation activities of infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone and his notorious 'speak-easy' clubs where gambling was something of a 'spiritual thrill.' There was no Jesus at these clubs, only the Devil. Gambling was a form of 'recreational philosophy,' and the legacy of course would be Trump Taj Mahal (way before Donald Trump would be elected as U.S. President). Meanwhile, Hollywood had made countless films about gambling, including Casino, Honeymoon in Vegas, and Indecent Proposal.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White were the popular co-hosts of the modern-day American fortune-spin gameshow Wheel of Fortune. Pat and Vanna were also married and committed to each other (very deeply). They both cared about the prestige and honor of the gameshow which really represented all of the idealistic youthfulness of the proverbial American Dream. Perhaps both Jesus and Satan were present to witness the optimistic development of this iconic gameshow. However, Satan wondered if modern American audiences could somehow be 'swayed' to become hypnotized by fortune-hunting...and gambling. This was the time when comic book media also began to take off, presenting vigilantism-daydream films such as Batman and Captain America. Everyone was fantasizing about being 'super.'
Well, a defecting member of British intelligence named James Spyder decided to become a 'freelance-mercenary,' lending out his services for various heist and subversion 'missions' (usually employed by nefarious groups but sometimes by idealistic freedom-fighters). Spyder was a terrific poker-player, but he was also very skilled with handling a pistol. Spyder began to work with a European toy-company, designing special metal toy water-pistols with a nifty dollar-sign ($) insignia printed on them. These water-guns, known as 'Spyder-Guns' became the toast of Amsterdam and Barcelona (especially among youngsters during the hot summer months). Spyder decided he should 'celebrate' by pulling off a grand casino-heist.
Spyder was on board a passenger flight from Amsterdam to Las Vegas (Nevada, USA), preparing for his 'terrific casino-heist,' when he noticed that a beautiful KLM (Dutch airlines) stewardess (named Elsa) was being harassed by two businessmen. Spyder decided to intercede (to help Elsa). Spyder noticed that the two businessmen (young arrogant wealthy Americans named Ted and Tom) were 'betting' to see who Elsa would agree to court. Spyder was eyeing Elsa, since he started falling in love with her simple charm and almost attractive vulnerability. Satan was eyeing the entire incident (wondering what Jesus would say!).
SPYDER: This stewardess wants to be left alone...
ELSA: You two gentlemen should listen to 'Mr. Spyder.'
TED: This 'Spyder-dude' looks like a quack, honey!
TOM: Yeah, c'mon Elsa...choose between me and Ted.
SPYDER: I'll make you a counter-wager.
ELSA: Maybe I should call the pilot to restore order here.
TED: No, no, I wanna hear Mr. Spyder's proposition!
TOM: Yeah, what'll it be...a cool European hand of poker, Spyder?
SPYDER: No, let's see which of us (me, Ted, or Tom) can have Elsa guess our card.
ELSA: So, Mr. Spyder has a deck of playing-cards (how quaint)!
TED: Alright, I'm in.
TOM: Elsa will guess my card --- I'll bet $1000.
SPYDER: Great. So everyone has their card, and Elsa must guess.
ELSA: Alright. Spyder has Ace of clubs, Ted has Jack of diamonds, and Tom has 10 of spades.
TED: I'm out. That's not my card...
TOM: I'm out too; you win, Spyder (right?).
SPYDER: That's right, I have the Ace of clubs (but I signalled to Elsa).
ELSA: Why did you tell them that, Mr. Spyder?
TED: Yeah, you cheated!
TOM: I want a re-match!
Spyder explained he signalled to Elsa because he genuinely loved her, so the cheating was done honourably, while a victory by Ted or Tom (given that they were crudely hitting on the vulnerable stewardess) would be a 'lower-form' of victory (one by lust only). Ted and Tom laughed aloud, not wanting to cause trouble, and Elsa was impressed with Spyder's strange sense of 'vigilantism-oriented honor.' Elsa asked Spyder why he helped her, and he told her, "Heck, you remind me of my sister...she's a school-teacher!" Elsa and James Spyder married. Satan frowned in disgust.
Years later, Satan approached Mr. Spyder and offered him a lucrative deal to adapt his special 'vigilantism-oriented love-story' for a great Hollywood film directed by Adrian Lyne (titled the Flight Game). Spyder turned the Devil down, but he always wondered if such a 'fortune-meditation' film would 'spiritually transform' him and Elsa into Pat Sajak and Vanna White! Who could resist such a symbolic offer? Nevertheless, Spyder concluded that true-love was better than adventure (or fantasy!). Elsa and Spyder had their honeymoon in Atlantic City (New Jersey, USA). James Spyder gave up gambling...and took up writing! This was a real Shakespearean love-story. Nevertheless, the Devil had his day. The capitalism-gamble film American Made (starring Tom Cruise) was nevertheless made, and it was ironically quite 'symbolic' of 'piracy-games' in the modern world. THE END
====
