The Dead Pool
The rules are simple, choose ten people who you think will die in the next year. At the end of the year when all the deaths are counted, the winner is the player with the highest score. The score is calculated by subtracting the person’s age from 100. No points are awarded for anyone over 100.
When a new resident checks into the Ranch, a retirement community, the unofficial gatekeepers, Betty a brassy blonde, and Agnus a natural redhead, usually see him first.
“There’s the new guy,” says Betty.
“I see him,” says Agnus.
“He won’t be around long,” says Betty “he’s already got one foot in the grave.”
Agnus laughs, “Yeah, you got that right.
Betty was right; the new guy only lasted 10 days. Betty is often right when it comes to questions about the end of life. The death, as unexpected as a death at the Ranch ever is spoiled the new guys’ birthday party. His family was on their way to visit him at the very moment he expired at the foot of the stairs. When they arrived they would be making arrangements to have his body transported home, not eating cake, and sharing memories.
The new guy tripped. He fell down the stairs, and he broke his neck. Betty provided the details; she was there at the top of the stairs when the new guy took his tumble. The police investigated, they said it was an accident, just another one bites the dust at the old folks home, they said. I think the police ended their investigation too soon. I think they should have asked more questions. I think they should have asked if there was a dead pool at the Ranch, and if the new guy was on Betty’s list.
April 14th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Don’t know if this really happened or is a sprout from your imagination, but I suspect that kind of thing really happens. My mom is in a nursing home. They take good care of her, no complaints. But they are so accustomed to the old folks coming there, spending a short time, and then being hauled away by the undertaker, I have wondered if the staff gets so jaded they look at the “inmates” as expendables. Especially those in the Alzheimers wing.
April 15th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Well, I’m not sure about the dead pool, though it does makes sense. What is certain is that Betty and Agnus really are the gatekeepers and Betty has an excellent record of predicting who’s going to die next. Just last week, Betty was in the Beauty Shop at the same time Lucy was getting her hair fixed. Lucy is on as many drugs as Rush Limbaugh. Lucy’s head was drooping. She was falling asleep in the chair. When Lucy finished it was Betty’s turn. Betty took her seat and said, “You really shouldn’t have to do someone’s hair who is so close to checking out.” At least that’s how it was reported to me.
April 15th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Oooh… that’s cruel. Like telling someone they should not buy any green bananas or renew any magazine subscriptions.
April 19th, 2007 at 1:28 am
Funny story that has to be a figment of your imagination; no question in my mind.
Look forward to more of your stories.
Fortunately, with the many retirement settings I’ve been in and out of over the years, and gotten to know staff, I’m confident this would never happen for real, not even the betting part. The relationships are much more tolerant, understanding and compassionate, even for the most cantankerous of patients who were often known before they became that way. I can’t vouch for some of the less desirable places, but even some of those have unbelievably caring people despite their often thankless working environment.