BINGO .... Twenty Times Over

 One quick note about the Pumpkin Patch.  We had larger crowds than ever before this year, with less than 1% wearing a mask.  I wore none, nor have I had any shots.  I would guess I was in very close proximity to around 50,000 people over the month (if not more), including coughing and sneezing kids and adults.  I never got sick, even though I was very much exhausted on many days.  

Nothing ... I got nothing.  Maybe it's because I take vitamin D, or maybe I'm just so lucky I should hit up the casino slot machines!!  

Or maybe I should be playing BINGO at the Magic Castle!!  It began with a nice soda for a little caffeine jolt.  As it turned out, I did not go back to the Patch for cleanup.  I spent the morning feeling guilty for just sitting on the couch.  Cooper loved it as he snuggled up close, making it impossible for me to move should I wake him up.

The peasant crowd was larger than normal with around 125 people.  There was the usual "you didn't give me my red ticket" and "I didn't get enough cards".  It's funny how that happens, as not only does my helper count every card, but I WATCH her count to be sure we are correct, but still they come up wanting MORE paper.

One red ticket goes to each person for a drawing that gives you ten pull tabs.  Those are little cards you can pull the covers off to reveal money ... up to $10 I think, but mostly $1 winners.  You might think we were giving away $500 every time because those little red tickets seem to be worth a fortune by the number of people who come back and say they didn't get one.  It's why I say every single time ... here's your change, your receipt and your LITTLE RED TICKET!!

Then it happened.  There was so much talking in the parlor I couldn't hear the caller.  All of a sudden BINGO was screamed out by what sounded like 50 people.  Uh oh .... that's deadly for us who sell the cards.  It usually means someone got the boxes of cards out of order.  

I ran to the safe to check the numbers.  Nope ... we sold the last two boxes in the series, so thank goodness it wasn't my fault.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  The only thing worse than NOT winning Bingo is for there to be TEN winners who split a $250 pot.  The peasant pitch forks come out with a vengeance.

By the time it was all said and done, we had TWENTY winners who had to split $250.  That's a pretty small chicken dinner winner at only $12 each.  I've never even SEEN that happen in all of my 12 years cashiering.

At long last it was time to head home after the infernal machine gave me fits, maxing out my brain to figure out the numbers.  If you don't wake it up upon making a payout, it will only record $50 instead of $250.  Hopefully I'll get back in the swing of things at the next night of Bingo with the peasants.

Happily, dinner was already in the fridge.  I actually had time to make a quick enchilada casserole (all from cans), of which I ate half.  Sounds like a huge amount, but this dish is only 8" long.  It was SO yummy!!  Real food for dinner, instead of candy bar or a hot dog.

Hopefully in the next couple of days I'll actually feel like going to the grocery store for real food.  In the meantime, I'm looking forward to some embroidery on my now clean machine!!