Cubs Coffee Talk: Pandemic? Let’s go to the casino!

It only takes a few bad apples on any team to spoil the season for the Chicago Cubs and everyone, especially amid a pandemic.

Last night, I got a call from my work buddy Howard, who has been gone the previous two weeks on a business trip. You may recall Howard, from our routine Coffee Talks at work. By far, he is one of the smartest people I have ever met at work, and his talent was quickly recognized by our bosses, who asked him to attend an important meeting recently in Minnesota. Before Howard left, he was given strict rules from our supervisors due to the pandemic:

–          Wear a mask when outside your room

– Don’t go to places that you can’t practice physical distancing from crowds

–          Order food to your room instead of going out

–          Go right from the hotel to the business meeting and back

–          Sanitize everything and keep personal sanitizer on you at all times

Our bosses back home were counting Howard to deliver the critical pitch for our organization, which could bring millions of income.

I hadn’t heard much from him while he was gone, and I know he returned several days ago but again – no word from Howard until my phone began ringing late last night.

“Hey, what’s going on, Howard? How was the trip? I haven’t heard anything from you for a while and was beginning to get worried,” I said as I answered the phone.

“Hey Goose, I really screwed up, man. I caught COVID and am on quarantine in my house,” Howard explained.

“WHAT??? What do you mean? When did this happen? How did you find out?” I asked about a hundred questions at once.

“Well, when I went on that business trip to Minnesota, I got a bit bored sitting in my room. I watched movies and tried to read, but I felt like I deserved to go out for a treat. So I called for a cab and went to a casino out there to do a little gambling and stretch my legs,” Howard confessed.

“Thought you weren’t supposed to go out while on business travel?” I asked.

“Well… yes… but I didn’t think it could do any harm. The place had sanitizer on the gambling tables, and the dealers were wearing masks, so I thought it would be fine,” Howard said.

“I’m stunned man. I thought you of all people who would appreciate the opportunity to travel and work,” I somewhat lectured. “What happened at the casino?”