Carl had been at this roulette wheel for 48 years, and he was hot: a loving wife, westside home, daughter at MIT with a full ride.

But unless you recognize when you’ve peaked and have the strength to walk away, the house eventually wins.

Carl knew the time had come.

Robb Lanum is a failed screenwriter in Los Angeles. This is his second 50-word story. His longer-form, epic works have appears on 101words.org.