The Kentucky Derby is today...
I remember that guy who used "dope out" the Racing Form, who poured over past performances and made little marks on newsprint with a pen, highlighting key info. I hesitated at going to the newsstand and buying a Racing Form, but then I remembered that guy who wouldn't have hesitated, and I walked over and bought a Form in memory of that guy.
And then it was obvious: I buy the Racing Form, I study it, I make my picks, I must make my bets. The first step requires each of the following steps. A whole series dictated by that first step. You cannot make your picks and then not bet! Worse than a mortal sin!
So after intensive study, I traveled downtown to place my bets at the betting parlor. But it turns out all the betting parlors in the big city have vanished. One site is now a pizza place. Another is a Chick-fil-A. Hah! I am living in a past that no longer exists. It has been erased.
And my "system" is a relic from another time and place too. Weird. Who knew I was living in a time-warp? So I made a call and someone else is running my bet for me. And I've picked a long-shot. There are many good reasons why my pick should not win the Derby. And just one good reason why he will win.
I stake my hopes and my cash on that one good reason. Lines of Battle - morning line 30-1 shot! That's my pick. That guy I used to know, that guy I used to be, would be betting on him too.