While he was in the neighbourhood Travis paid a couple of visits to Saigon. On one trip he became intrigued by a hopped up ex-marine called Nick who made a living by betting against the odds of his dying at the Russian Roulette table. Every evening Nick languidly pointed a six gun at his temple, pulled the trigger and then pulled in his earnings. Travis was impressed by Nick's sangfroid, but had no desire to emulate it. When the loaded chamber inevitably rolled into place, Travis watched Nick slump to the table, an American buddy gesturing impotently in the background.

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