Let's meet at the casino???

Wow.

So I started a new acting class a few weeks ago, and in this class, we are assigned a new scene to perform with another actor every week. 

It's like doing a play, only you're performing one small scene.

You are required to meet with your scene partner to rehearse.

So yesterday, my partner and I were trying to schedule that, when we realized that HE lives nearly an hour from class... and I live 30 minutes from class... in opposite directions.

ugh.

so we are texting... and he says... could we meet at the casino?



WHAT!!!????

Not a coffee shop or a café?

the CASINO???!

who does that?

*I* know who does that.

People who are 'at home' at the casino.

***
I am trying not to be difficult here.... and I have been completely unavailable to rehearse for the past four days and we are running out of time.... so I need to be agreeable and get this done.
***

And... I will, from time to time,  go to a casino.

I have.
I'm sure I will again.

But when I go there is a REASON to be there... generally speaking, a concert.

I take care to keep myself 'safe' when I do that.

I'm not going to go to a casino if I don't really NEED to be there.


Anyway... I suggest another location.

We end up talking on the phone.
He is curious about my not wanting to go to the casino.
Like... 'what's the problem?'
He has met there with another actor in the past to rehearse.  It was fine.

"I don't go to casinos."
"I'm a big gambler." he says.
"Yeah.  I used to be."

It wasn't uncomfortable to say this... aside from not wanting to be difficult.


We met at another location.  It was fine.

These days, I don't crave it and I don't fear it. I don't think casinos are evil.  But I have a healthy respect that there is something in my brain that has and can easily 'change' because of those places... and I don't ever want to have to quit gambling again.

So I do what I have to do to take care of me.