Atlantic-City: Ghost of the Game

A narrated account of a writer's 'strange' experience in iconic Atlantic City, a jaunt into a dream-detour.

An offbeat short-story about Atlantic City loosely inspired by the film Atlantic City (Susan Sarandon). Enjoy! 

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I'm a writer. I'm traveling to the casino-resort area of Atlantic City (New Jersey, USA), which is an alternative to Las Vegas (Nevada, USA), the ultimate casino-resort area in North America (Western Civilization).

In this typewriter-project, a classic write-up, I'll be trying to capture the general magic of street-traffic and casino-gaming spirit of the Atlantic City atmosphere, which is why I'll be thinking of my years of experience/fascination with storytelling regarding the human tones of risk, reward, fortune, relaxation, and music. I think this will add to my sense of casino-haven imagination and what it means for my writing about the human mind! I'm quite focused.

I'll be taking my Royal typewriter to Atlantic City (New Jersey) for this short-story about this iconic Eastern casino-resort area in North America (Western civilization). What makes Atlantic City different from Vegas (or Reno!) is its special spotlight on the nature of relaxed traffic, the iconic Boardwalk by the ocean, and a more spacious approach to gaming and tourism. There's those great buffets and nice casinos of course. This makes my typewriter quite energized!

So, I get to Atlantic City and note its special Boardwalk magic and the lining of representative buildings/shops along the way by the gray-blue water! The Boardwalk has inspired that incredible Drifters song (Under the Boardwalk!), and I start thinking of story ideas about a special 'lady' who's decided to leave behind her princess-life of fortune to spend some time trying her hand at 21.

I've decided to make the AC-casino Atlantis the 'subject' of my little Atlantic City writing-project. I've decided to make the atmospherics of Atlantis the 'subject' of my fictional account of a princess-lady from the USA who's made casino-adventure an escape from her luxury-life, to entreat her 'human' sense of other-worldly experience.

While inside one of the casinos, the Atlantis, I've decided to take some special personal-time to try my hand at some of the table-games inside Atlantic City! I find myself immersed inside the human mental world of risk and entertainment. This is pure American experience, and it's created much tourism over the years for individuals/groups seeking a nice 'alternative' to Vegas (or Reno!).

Suddenly, I spot my ghost-lady princess for my Atlantic-City tale for my Royal typewriter. She's to be my subject for this Atlantis-casino short-story (for WritersCafe!). I stare at her and feel hypnotized. She's looking like an 'actual' princess in America. She's doing well at her Atlantis game-table. I watch her as she wins and smiles and take notes for my Royal story about an escape to Atlantis (Atlantic City). Then, suddenly, while I make a quick trip to the bar for an Aqua-Velva, she simply and inexplicably and completely vanishes. I'd never forget her (this AC princess).

I decide to spend some of my own money to buy a modestly-prices gift-shop jewelry-gem, a black carved amethyst crafted by a Native-American artist, to find for my spotted story-subject Atlantic City princess-lady. I buy the black-stone and start frantically asking the Atlantis (Atlantic City) casino managers/floor-men if they've seen this blonde beauty princess. However, they insist they've no idea what or who I'm referring to in this earnest request. All I have now is this black stone as a souvenir in my depressed pocket.

ATALANTIS MANAGER: I can't say there's been anyone who fits your description, good sir!
ME: I'm certain it's the woman I want to write about for WritersCafe, good manager.
MANAGER: I truly have no sign of her, from my floor-men or table-managers...or anyone.
ME: What...are you implying I'm hallucinating...or she's some kind of specter?
MANAGER: Well, how'd you know you weren't the only one who kept 'citing' her in Atlantis?
ME: I'm telling you...she was winning money...she's dressed like an American princess.
MANAGER: Well, we have an old black-and-white photo from the 1950s of a blonde wealthy patron.
ME: May I see it, please, good manager?
MANAGER: Of course...here it is, good sir...I hope this suffices your daydream here and now, man.
ME: My goodness...it's her! It's her!
MANAGER: You're dreaming, man...this is a 40 year-old photo...this woman is either old now or dead!
ME: My goodness...I saw a ghost!
MANAGER: My advice to you is to get your story written/completed...you're suffering from disorientation.

ME: Atlantic City it is.

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"Money is everything" (Ecclesiastes)