There's also a down side.

I keep my mouth shut now. I've turned into a professional coward.

The waitress had the appearance of a very old hooker who had finally found her place in life

All gamblers lose regularly, but they rarely discuss it in public. Losing is bad for the image, dude. Nobody buys Hot Tips from Losers. Remember that.

Wake up and ponder the future

I hate pain, despite my ability to tolerate it beyond all known parameters, which is not necessarily a good thing.

A man can live on his wits and his balls for only so long.