Twelve Doubles

A guy ran into my Vegas bar, seemed to be in quite a panic. When he ordered twelve doubles of my finest whiskey, I thought, “Who orders twelve doubles? This guy must be manic." Now, in Las Vegas, “doubles of your very best” are never cheap, Twenty bucks and more in bars all over town. Get a little crazy and your tab can get quite steep. “Twelve doubles, Buddy? You sure that decision’s sound?” “Twelve doubles, Mac. Please…and make sure it’s your best." So, as fast as I poured doubles, he would throw’em down. He drank them without a wince, a shiver or a shake. It was something to behold....amazing in a way. I had to wonder, “Just how much can he take?” But after five or six, I said, “Slow down… you’re drinkin’ these too fast." He didn’t slur his words and what he said made perfect sense. “Mister, If you had what I got, you wouldn’t try to make’em last.” “Well…..what’ve you got?” I decided to ask. He gulped down two more and smiled. “Eighty five cents and an empty flask.”