A Demand from the Landlord
Shortly after, the narrator’s landlord demands payment of his 5 guinea rent debt, citing a need to make up a sum of money. Though the narrator can barely afford the payment, his pride leads him to settle the debt in a dismissive, scornful manner, while Strap, aware of the narrator’s true financial state, is left horrified and despairing at the hidden strain.
Banter’s Advice to Visit the Gaming Tables
Miserable after the landlord’s demand, the narrator goes drinking with acquaintances but remains despondent. Banter, noticing his distress, chides him for being cowardly over losing money to the scoundrel Strutwell. When the narrator reveals he is down to less than two guineas, Banter offers to show him how to make a living in London without a fortune, and leads him to a public gaming house run by a Scottish lord under the Covent Garden piazzas.
A Fortunate Winning Streak
Initially horrified by the rough crowd of gamblers, sharpers, and disgraced apprentices at the gaming house, the narrator is persuaded to place a small bet of one shilling, and wins 30 shillings in less than an hour. Convinced the game is fair, he moves to higher stakes, eventually sitting at the gold table overnight, and leaves with a total of 150 guineas in winnings.
Defending My Winnings from Accusations
As the narrator prepares to leave with his winnings, a losing Gascon gambler furiously demands he refund his losses, supported by a Jew who claims the narrator cheated by wiping grease onto the gaming table. The narrator threatens to sue the Jew for defamation and refuses to refund any money, forcing the accusers to back down and let him leave, after the Jew issues a public apology.
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