Scooter People

      More Letters From Paradise
            Scooter People

The Nevada desert on a December night was very cold, and silent. But here and there one could see small groups of people making their way to the blazing lights of a casino. The same way moths seek the light of a candle. Some arrive from nearby Arizona and California, where gambling is illegal.
Were they coming to the casino because they were tired of watching t.v., reading, or knitting? Or more likely,the promise of riches. We may never know for sure, but I suspect the latter motive.

Inside the casino I found something very disturbing. There were a number of very heavy people making their way through the crowds of people on their scooters. They seemed to me, to be somehow out of place. I feel sorry for anyone who has lost the movement of their legs, and are confined to a wheelchair. But, why should their disability prevent them from having some entertainment?

Their scooters made it so that they could reach and operate slot machines. I thought  that crap tables, black jack, and  other games of chance were out of their reach.

However,sometime later my pity for those heavy people, bound to their scooters evaporated. I saw a row of scooters parked outside a lounge, while their owners were inside stuffing their faces with free food and drink. I turned away in disgust. These scooter people were not as infirm as they pretended to be. But, I may be wrong, who knows?

     Aloha
     Grant