I guess whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist will determine how you view Adrian Matthew Conde’s luck.
Sunday night, after losing money on Superbowl XXXVIII, Conde decided to end it all by jumping off the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Though this story in today’s NY Post details the 115 foot plunge; which he survived by landing in a snow band, it doesn’t, however, go on to list the more imprtant details:
How much money was wagered? As well as:
Whether he lost it in a office pool / box at the local bar, or
My first thought is #3.#2 requires you to put up the money upfront.
As to no.1-obviously more than he can repay,which reinforces the no.3 scenario.
I’m guessing he was using the Supe bet as a bailout from earlier losses which left him in arrears to the book.(books run a weekly accounting system-and,depending on your past activity will let you slide for a period of time before coughing up the whole amount).This practice requires you still pay weekly,but with a lower payment (usually the vig+whatever amount they feel is necessary to keep you as a customer/cash cow.)
They all have their upper limits as to how much credit they’ll extend,and in the case of reaching or exceeding that limit,you’re now in a position to come up with a much bigger amount to keep the good faith.
After faith has run out the collectors come calling.Anywhere.Business,home,hangout-they’re there.They don’t take no for an answer.
Which leads me to believe the bridge wounds are just the first in a series.
How do people get in these predicaments?Compulsive gambling behavior usually.Or the feeling of just this one to get even/make money.
A sidebar here.I worked with a man years ago who slept in the cemetary for 5 days after the collectors inquired at his job,which was an offday for him,luckily.
His employer bailed him out,and that bill was only $3600.