Enchanted Unicorn

My last entry was a prelude to a visit to the Emerald Queen Casino (which is about a five-minute drive from my apartment). I did not hear any of those songs spouting from gamblers this afternoon. Most of them were in a trance, staring intently at their slot machine screens. Focused on the colorful lights and shapes, listening to the gentle and cheerful tones. Mesmerized by the way lines connect and items are matched. To be sure, there are distractions: lighting cigarettes and accepting drinks from the waitstaff. Pushing a button does not require much effort, but evaluating the results and considering wagers requires all of your attention.

The is an imagined thought pattern of a slot machine gambler:
"How will fate (randomized computer system) reward me this time?"
"If fortune does not come this time, perhaps it will next time."
"The odds are with me now."
"I am going to keep pushing this button until I win."
"Yes, it's a bit of a bad run. But I remember that one time where everything was delightful."
"It will happen again. It has to..."
"I need to get back to even."
"I'm so close to hitting the jackpot. I can smell it."
"Come on, you fucker."
"At least I'm getting free drinks."
"God hates me. He wants me to be poor."
"Might as well play out the rest of the credit on this card."
"I need another drink."
"I need another smoke."
"No Christmas presents this year."

So how did my experience at I-5 EQC differ from the way it's portrayed in television commercials? There were no people jumping up and down or smiling emphatically, and no women meeting the men of their dreams. Although it is pretty ethnically diverse. I was also surprised by the diversity of slot machine themes. The gaming industry has strived to represent every culture in stereotypical fashion - from East Asia (Chinese Treasure, Jade Dragon, Lotus Flower) to Europe (DaVinci's Diamonds, Rembrandt's Riches) to Africa (King Cheetah, 50 Lions, Cleopatra, Nefertiti). Then there's the magical/fantastical category of slots (Enchanted Unicorn, Mystical Mermaid, Dolphin Treasure) and those that promise riches (Heaven Cent, Penny Pig-Out, Milk Money). Even symbols of the Pacific Northwest have been integrated into the gambling experience: Wild Bear/Salmon Run, Coyote Moon, and Wolf Run (which is named after a game designer's residential complex - true story).
The most unique slot machine was: Lucky Luigi's Pizzeria. In order to win, you match up pizzas, cans of mushrooms, pepperoni, cheese, and images of Luigi saying the following: "That's nice" and "Bravo!" It's like you're cooking up a recipe for failure.

I've had to Febreeze my clothing when I got home. It reeked of cigarette smoke after a twenty-minute walk around the casino floor.
(By the way, there is a small non-smoking room at the EQC with about 40+ slot machines).

I leave you with this: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/lists/slot-machine.html