VICTORY!

Just like my tenure at East Brunswick High School and David Robinson's career, Macau went out on top.

With the daily decrease in our savings accounts and the thinning of options to fill time during the newly dubbed Operation "Walk & Eat to Sidestep Unavoidable Casino Killings" (aka Operation W.E.S.U.C.K.), we feared our fondest memories of Macau would be walking onto the Hong Kong ferry with both knees intact. Miraculously, we're walking out with a smile.

Our day began with an aimless walk toward Macau Tower, a 338M bohemith overlooking the city and its nearby waterways. We walked in expecting to find a few kitchy tourist shops and some impressive views of the Macau skyline. We found a casino.

We figured we'd surrender, after all, if there weren't neon lights on the outside of the building, the place really couldn't be that bad, right? The next few hours were spent playing digital Sic-Bo, a game - for those who don't know - similar to craps in which you bet on the various possible outcomes of 3 rolled die. The game was played completely digitally, which allowed for a quicker and more dangerous transition into the "hey, it's not really money, it's chips" mentality; and subsequently, the eventual loss of said chips/money. But we had fun, and that's what counts (sob), and hit up a Portuguese restaurant for dinner where we ran the tap of beer selection and Don got a large plate of meat that included steak, chicken, pork and a hot dog. Macau loves them hot dogs.

Bold with alcohol, we decided to conquer a "real" casino, and strided into StarWorld Resort after hearing rumors of $0.50 Digital Poker. We walked right into a lifeless crowd watching an energetic R&B singer trying his best on stage. Don immediately threw him a line, busting out some moves in the middle of the floor, and, upon catching the eye of the grateful singer, joined him on stage and even grabbed the mike for a couple bars. We were on fire. We attacked the Carribean Stud table in an attempt to avenge my previous night's slaughter, and Don sliced the dealer up like Uma Thurman vs. The Crazy 88. He emerged from the bloodbath with enough house money to seat us in the Digital Poker room. Digital Poker is pretty much the same as regular poker, except that there's no real dealer, there's no real cards or chips, and you're seated across the table from a 20-year old girl named "Chun Y" who mercilessly rips your heart out on every hand like an oceanside Connect Four player.

A couple hours of play soundtracked by a coverband aptly named "Too Close," who were extremely fond of the Black Eyed Peas catlouge, and my Full House was kicked to the curb by Chun Y's four Kings, served with a smile. Don soon joined me and we decided to reach for the stars one last time, in the arms of our old friend, Digital Sic-Bo. Down to our last bet, I tapped the screen and called it. "Trip Threes."

Sure, it was only a $1 table and the pot wasn't anything big. But it was a victory none the less, a victory that just minutes ago seemed destined to elude us forever. And even though we went back for one final night in Shawshank, our pockets were a little bit heavier, and our souls were free.

Hong Kong awaits...