The Wager | Have Gun Will Travel (07-26-59)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns – Have Gun Will Travel: The Wager

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: July 26, 1959
Podcast Release Date: July 29, 2026
Episode Title: The Wager

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Episode Overview

In this compelling episode of the digitally restored classic radio drama Have Gun Will Travel, the famed hired gun Paladin is enlisted to protect railroad tycoon Sid Morgan on a perilous journey to Silver City. What begins as a classic western tale of courage and danger in the desert transforms into a psychological drama of greed, betrayal, and moral reckoning. The episode explores the darkness behind high-stakes wagers and the callous disregard wealthy "sporting gentlemen" have for life and honor.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Hire: Paladin's Mission Begins

• [02:29–03:24]
  • Morgan seeks Paladin’s protection on his journey, revealing threats against his life by a man named Danbury:
    • Sid Morgan: “You could see to it that I get there alive... There have been attempts on my life recently.”
    • Paladin: “I’ll be ready to leave at sun up.”
• [05:13–06:01]
  • The journey through the desert is described as treacherous, with only one spring left before the next town, Rough and Ready.

2. A Shadow on the Trail & the Mysterious Follower

• [06:29–08:13]
  • Paladin notices a rider following them, introducing tension and suspicion.
    • Paladin: “Look behind – the rider on that far rise.”
  • The man is revealed to be Howard Gorman, a notorious gunfighter with a “12 men” reputation. Paladin confronts him, questioning his intentions.
    • Gorman: “There’s something about nosy people that gets me riled.”

3. Tensions in Town: Deadly Confrontation

• [08:19–10:05]
  • In the town of Rough and Ready, Gorman is seen dining with a well-dressed stranger.
  • Paladin instructs Morgan and Stacy to clear out as Gorman approaches, resulting in a tense showdown.
    • Gorman: “I told you I’d killed 12 men, remember? Well, this is number 13.”
  • Gorman draws first, but Paladin prevails, killing the gunman in a quick duel.

4. Unveiling the Truth: The Wager Revealed

• [13:54–15:12]
  • Stacy Neil confides to Paladin that the entire scenario was orchestrated as a bet between Morgan and his business partner, Shawcross.
    • Stacy Neil [14:30]: “Do you remember the man sitting at the table with the gunman?... His name is Shawcross. He’s Sid Morgan’s business partner... It was a bet.”
    • Paladin [15:08]: “I killed a man to provide them evening’s entertainment.”
  • Morgan and Shawcross are exposed as “sporting gentlemen” wagering on life and death, using Paladin and Gorman for their amusement.

5. Confrontation & Reckoning

• [15:40–16:26]
  • Paladin confronts Morgan, nearly provoking a duel:
    • Paladin: “Paid for what, Mr. Morgan? To kill a man for a sideshow?”
    • Paladin: “You’re wearing a gun. Why don’t you draw?”
    • Morgan: “There’s no way, Paladin. Unless you choose to commit a real murder.”

6. Betrayal in the Desert: Stacy’s Abandonment

• [19:36–20:49]
  • The next morning, Paladin discovers Stacy abandoned near the trail, left by Morgan as retribution for her honesty to Paladin.
    • Stacy [20:09]: “This was his way of getting even for what I told you.”

7. A Deadly Wager: Justice on the Desert

• [21:14–22:55]
  • Paladin confronts Morgan and Shawcross and forces them to try to cross a 30-mile stretch of sun-blasted desert with only half a canteen of water.
    • Paladin [22:15]: “You left Stacy to take her chances with the desert. With no water, you’re going to have better odds. I’ll give you a canteen.”
    • Paladin: “It’s a wager. I made a bet with myself that two men carrying a canteen of water could walk 30 miles across this desert.”
  • Morgan and Shawcross accept the challenge, defiant yet shaken.

8. Moral Dilemma & Tragic End

• [23:54–25:00]
  • Paladin and Stacy follow the men at a distance. The heat, thirst, and the wager’s cruelty come to a head:
    • Stacy: “That sun will kill them.”
    • Paladin: “No, Stacy. They’ll destroy themselves.”
  • Morgan, in a fight over water, kills Shawcross:
    • Morgan [24:45]: “He’s dead. Yes, I killed him. Took two swallows of water. He was only supposed to take one. I killed him with this rock.”
  • Paladin [25:00]: “I guess you’re not beyond the law this time, Morgan.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

The Bet as Entertainment

“They’d heard of your reputation with a gun. They knew Gorman was good and could be hired to kill. So they set it up for you to shoot it out and made a wager on the outcome. Morgan lost.”
— Stacy Neil [14:53]

Paladin’s Moral Outrage

“Paid for what, Mr. Morgan? To kill a man for a sideshow?”
— Paladin [15:48]

Justice Turned on Its Head

“It’s a wager. I made a bet with myself that two men carrying a canteen of water could walk 30 miles across this desert.”
— Paladin [22:26]

On Consequence

“You’re not beyond the law this time, Morgan.”
— Paladin [25:00]

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Key Timestamps

• [01:12] – Paladin’s opening ultimatum: life for a wager
• [03:24] – Paladin agrees to protect Morgan
• [06:29] – Discovery of the shadowy rider
• [09:17] – Standoff and deadly duel in the dining room
• [13:54] – Stacy reveals the nature of the wager
• [15:40] – Paladin’s confrontation with Morgan
• [19:36] – Stacy found abandoned in the desert
• [21:14] – Paladin confronts Morgan and Shawcross; the desert wager begins
• [23:54] – The men’s struggle and eventual tragedy
• [25:00] – Morgan confesses to killing Shawcross

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains the taut, straightforward narration and dialogue characteristic of classic radio westerns. Paladin is stoic, principled, but not immune to moral disillusionment and anger. The moral ambiguity and psychological tension are palpable, enhanced by vivid environmental details and intense, clipped exchanges.

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Conclusion

The Wager is a narrative rich in ethical complexity and classic western atmosphere. The plot unspools from a routine protection mission into a study of human cruelty and justice outside the bounds of law. Through betrayal, violence, and retribution, Paladin is forced to reckon with the reality that even those who kill for a living may draw lines that should not be crossed. The episode leaves listeners with questions of conscience and the devastating consequences of treating human life as merely a game.

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Transcript

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[Andrew Ryans (Host)]

Welcome to the old time radio westerns. I'm your host, andrew Ryans, and let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be have Gun Will Travel original dates July 26, 1959 and the title is the wager. Let's get into it. And I hope you enjoy.

[Paladin]

You forced me to wager my life against a thousand dollars. Now you can wager yours against 30 miles of desert with a companion who hates you and half a canteen of water.

[Sid Morgan]

Have Gun will travel starring Mr. John Dana as Paladin. San Francisco, 1875. The Carlton Hotel. Headquarters of a man called Paladin.

[Paladin]

Oh, Mr. Paladin. This is a gentleman. Mr. Morgan look for you. Mr. Morgan, how are you?

[Sid Morgan]

Hello there. I was looking for you in the lobby, and I asked the boy here where I might find you.

[Paladin]

Oh, I tell you, Mr. Paladin often take a place of concealment behind potty palm with a chessy ball.

[Sid Morgan]

Yes. I hope I'm not interrupting.

[Paladin]

No, not at all. You bring two brandies, please, hey boy.

[Sid Morgan]

Oh, here's some.

[Paladin]

Sit down, Mr. Morgan.

[Sid Morgan]

Thank you.

[Paladin]

So, what can I do for you?

[Sid Morgan]

I'm leaving for silver city early tomorrow morning with my fiance. You could see to it that I get there alive. Well, there's no need to go into all the details of the background, but the situation basically is that my railroad holdings are considerable. A man named danbury and his syndicate are determined to buy me out, and I don't want to sell.

[Paladin]

It seems to me that's your privilege.

[Sid Morgan]

Yes, but danbury is the kind of man who gets what he wants one way or another. There have been attempts in my life recently.

[Paladin]

Mr. Danbury has peculiar business methods.

[Sid Morgan]

I have narrowly escaped a bullet on three different occasions, Paladin. The latest this morning.

[Paladin]

Three misses isn't a very good average. Perhaps they're just trying to frighten you into selling.

[Sid Morgan]

That's what I thought the first two times, but not now. Will you accompany us to silver city, Mr. Paladin? I'll pay whatever you ask.

[Paladin]

I'll be ready to leave at sun up.

[Sid Morgan]

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[Stacy Neil]

Hey everybody.

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[Paladin]

Silver City was a two day ride through a hot dry stretch of desert. Morgan drove a buckboard with Stacy Neil, his fiance, on the seat beside him. I rode alongside, trying to keep out of the dust that boiled up. It wasn't much chance that an attempt would be made on his life. Out here, nothing moved. Even the lizards had taken can cover from the heat.

[Sid Morgan]

Morgan.

[Paladin]

Yeah? Those willows off to the left will stop for water.

[Sid Morgan]

All right.

[Paladin]

I give you a hand, Ms. Neil.

[Stacy Neil]

Thank you.

[Sid Morgan]

That's not much of a spring, is it?

[Paladin]

No, but the last water between here and rough and ready.

[Sid Morgan]

Rough and ready.

[Paladin]

There's the next town. We'll stay there tonight and go on to Silver City in the morning.

[Stacy Neil]

Oh, that spring looks good to me.

[Paladin]

You know, men come to the desert in search of gold. Maybe this is the real treasure out here. Water.

[Sid Morgan]

I think the desert presents a challenge to come out and fight it. I could beat it, I'd wager.

[Stacy Neil]

Darling, aren't you happy? There's no one here to call that particular bet.

[Paladin]

I think we better get moving. Why?

[Sid Morgan]

What's the hurry?

[Paladin]

Look behind the rider on that far rise,

[Sid Morgan]

how long has he been there?

[Paladin]

I noticed him just after we stopped.

[Sid Morgan]

I suppose he's been following us.

[Paladin]

Maybe. Chances are he's just another traveler heading for this spring.

[Sid Morgan]

I don't like it.

[Paladin]

Well, the town's straight ahead. After the horses are watered and canteens are filled. You go on. What are you going to do? Double back, Do a little checking? I backtracked for some distance, then stopped by a sandstone bluff to wait for the man riding down the trail toward me. When he drew alongside, he reined in. Something I can do for you? Yeah, just give me a little information, Mike. Who you are, where you're headed. Why, that's a lot of information to give out to a stranger. My name is Paladin. You're still a stranger to me. But I don't mind telling you, I'm howard Gorman. I've heard of you. And your gun. Well, now, 12 men, isn't it?

[Sid Morgan]

Yes.

[Paladin]

Come to think of it, maybe it's about time I started thinking about adding that lucky 13th. Oh, there's something about nosy people. I got the idea that maybe you were following us. Why'd I want to follow you? I'm not sure, but it's my business to find out. That's fine. I like to know you're tending to your business, but just stay out of mine. There's something about nosy people gets me riled.

[Sid Morgan]

Yeah.

[Paladin]

Rough and ready was the only town within a good many miles, and it boasted just one hotel. So I wasn't too surprised to find gorman in the dining room. When we went into dinner, he was sitting at a corner table, deep in conversation with a well dressed man.

[Stacy Neil]

He keeps looking over here.

[Sid Morgan]

That's the man who was following us. Yes.

[Paladin]

Name's Howard Gorman.

[Stacy Neil]

He certainly looks as if he knows how to handle those guns he's wearing.

[Paladin]

He does. He has quite a reputation as a gun owner.

[Sid Morgan]

Danbury hired him. I'm sure of him.

[Paladin]

Hey, Morgan, do you know the man with him?

[Sid Morgan]

No. Never seen him before.

[Stacy Neil]

Paladin, he's coming over here.

[Paladin]

Stand up. Morgan, take Ms. Neal and get out of the way. Well, I. Do as I say.

[Sid Morgan]

Come on, stacy.

[Paladin]

Paladin. You're making a mistake. Gorman, you going to stand up? I'd rather finish my dinner. It's finished. You shouldn't do that to good food.

[Sid Morgan]

Well,

[Paladin]

we'll have it your way. I told you I'd killed 12 men, remember? Well, this is number 13,

[Sid Morgan]

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[Paladin]

Filter Blend is a mighty good reason for you to smoke Winston because it

[Sid Morgan]

means tobacco specially processed for filter smoking. A Winston secret.

[Paladin]

You get Winston's own pure white modern

[Sid Morgan]

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[Paladin]

I'd been forced to kill a man and I wasn't sure why. It was a fair fight. Gorman drew first, but somehow it didn't make any sense and I didn't like it. Later I went to the bar and ordered a bottle and a glass.

[Sid Morgan]

Paladin.

[Paladin]

Oh, Morgan. Drink?

[Sid Morgan]

Oh, no, no thanks. Paladin, I think we should discuss a little business.

[Stacy Neil]

What are you going to do, dear Talk him out of his fee to

[Sid Morgan]

cover your losses, Stacy. Now, Paladin, here is your pay in this envelope.

[Paladin]

Well, you're very generous, Mr. Morgan. But I haven't finished the job.

[Sid Morgan]

How's that?

[Paladin]

Well, our arrangement was for silver city.

[Sid Morgan]

Oh. Oh, well, it doesn't matter now. It's ended.

[Paladin]

I don't understand.

[Sid Morgan]

Gorman is dead. That is, there's no danger now, Morgan.

[Paladin]

If it had been gorman shooting at you back there in san francisco, he wouldn't have missed.

[Sid Morgan]

No matter, Paladin. It's. It's finished. Come along, Stacy.

[Stacy Neil]

Not now.

[Sid Morgan]

Very well. Oh, Stacy, don't bore Mr. Pallet.

[Stacy Neil]

You know why I'm not going with him? Because he's hit me for the last time.

[Paladin]

Hit you?

[Stacy Neil]

I know how he is when he's been crossed. Or when things don't go his way. Don't look so shocked, Mr. Palle. Surely you know there are men like that. He's rotten. Maybe I'm rotten, too. I put up with him because he was rich. But I've had enough. Tonight was too much.

[Paladin]

Tonight?

[Stacy Neil]

Oh, you still don't understand, do you?

[Paladin]

I guess not.

[Stacy Neil]

Do you remember the man sitting at the table with a gunman?

[Paladin]

Yes.

[Stacy Neil]

His name is shawcross. He's sid Morgan's business partner.

[Paladin]

Business partner? But Morgan said.

[Stacy Neil]

I know. He said he'd never seen him before. They're two of the same kind, those men. Sporting gentlemen. It was a bet.

[Sid Morgan]

A bet?

[Stacy Neil]

They'd heard of your reputation with a gun. They knew gorman was good and could be hired to kill. So they set it up for you to shoot it out and made a wager on the outcome. Morgan lost.

[Paladin]

This was all set up?

[Stacy Neil]

Yes.

[Paladin]

I killed a man to provide him evenings entertainment.

[Stacy Neil]

Yes, they've been doing things like that for years. And getting away with it. Oh, it's over, paladin. You might as well forget it.

[Sid Morgan]

Forget it?

[Stacy Neil]

They didn't break any law. There's no way to reach them. There never is.

[Sid Morgan]

Stacy.

[Paladin]

Morgan, come down here. Yes, I was very interested in what Ms. Neil had to say.

[Sid Morgan]

Oh, he told you, eh? Well, you've no complaint, Paladin. You were well paid.

[Paladin]

Paid for what, Mr. Morgan? To kill a man for a sideshow.

[Sid Morgan]

Well, I didn't realize you gunmen drew a fine line.

[Paladin]

Well, right now, it might be a pleasure to kill. You're wearing a gun. Why don't you draw?

[Sid Morgan]

I had no reason to draw against you, pal.

[Paladin]

Now you have a reason.

[Sid Morgan]

I won't draw, Paladin. I won't give you the excuse to shoot Me? There's no way, paladin, Unless you choose to commit a real murder.

[Paladin]

I spent a long night with no sleep and an anger that kept growing. But finally I had to face the fact that probably the lady was right. It was over. I should forget was early morning when I stopped at a desk on my way out of the hotel. Lady Ms. Neil, has she come down yet? Come down? Oh, yes, all of them. They left in a buckboard before dawn. Two, three hours ago. What do you mean all of them? Well, lady, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Shawcross, they all left together.

[Sid Morgan]

Yeah. Lady, poor little thing.

[Paladin]

Poor little thing? What do you mean?

[Sid Morgan]

Well, she was crying.

[Paladin]

I kind of got the notion she cotton to the idea of going alone. Have them bring my horse around. I have some riding to do.

[Sid Morgan]

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[Paladin]

I had no trouble picking up the tracks of the the buckboard. But my travel was slow. I wasn't quite sure what I was looking for until I found it. And then I realized I'd had a hunch that was correct. She was lying just off the trail. Stacy. Stacy. Here. Here's water for you.

[Sid Morgan]

Water.

[Paladin]

Now, take it easy. Not too much now.

[Stacy Neil]

Good. This. This was his way of getting even for what I told you.

[Paladin]

Yes, I realize that.

[Stacy Neil]

I guess it doesn't matter because I asked for it.

[Paladin]

Of course it matters.

[Sid Morgan]

Stacey.

[Paladin]

You think you can stand up?

[Stacy Neil]

Yes, I think so.

[Paladin]

Here, let me help you. A little wobbly, huh?

[Sid Morgan]

Wobbly.

[Stacy Neil]

Where are we going?

[Paladin]

I'm gonna help you on my horse. Then we're going to find Mr. Morgan and Mr. Shawcross.

[Stacy Neil]

You'll never be able to catch up with me.

[Paladin]

No, not on the trail. We can cut across the desert and head them off. You feel able to travel?

[Stacy Neil]

Let's go.

[Paladin]

It was a hard ride when the buckboard came into the turn where the trail leveled off to border a dry lake.

[Sid Morgan]

We were waiting.

[Paladin]

Stacy. Stay back.

[Sid Morgan]

What is this?

[Paladin]

If I fire again, Morgan, it won't be in the air.

[Sid Morgan]

Now, don't be hasty, Mr. Power.

[Paladin]

Yes, Shawcross, I understand.

[Sid Morgan]

Understand?

[Paladin]

This gun.

[Sid Morgan]

Want to bet? For you?

[Paladin]

Gives you some respect for it, huh? All right. Get down.

[Sid Morgan]

A paladin. Whatever it is, get down.

[Paladin]

Throw your guns on the ground.

[Sid Morgan]

How. Paladin. Paladin, wait. Now, you're. You're a smart man. And we have money, Paladin. We have lots of money.

[Paladin]

And so I understand.

[Sid Morgan]

I'm sure you're a reasonable man.

[Paladin]

Certainly. But I'm also curious. I'm curious as to just how far your money will go in protecting you.

[Sid Morgan]

Let us go on to silver city. You just name a price.

[Paladin]

Silver city?

[Sid Morgan]

Yes.

[Paladin]

I'll show you a shortcut. Silver city is due east across this dry lake, 30 miles exactly. About a but a three day walk. You better get started.

[Sid Morgan]

What are you insane?

[Paladin]

I told you, I'm curious. You left stacy to take her chances with the desert. With no water, you're going to have better odds. I'll give you a canteen.

[Sid Morgan]

This is murder. No, no, no, no.

[Paladin]

It's a wager. I made a bet with myself that two men carrying a canteen of water could walk 30 miles across this desert.

[Sid Morgan]

You can't mean that.

[Paladin]

Oh, but I do. All right.

[Sid Morgan]

You're going to force us to do this, Belladon.

[Paladin]

I am.

[Sid Morgan]

Very well. In spite of what your intentions might be, we will consider it a challenge. Shawcross. All right. The canteen, Paladin.

[Paladin]

Here.

[Sid Morgan]

Thank you. Let's just understand this much, Shawcross. We make it to nightfall before taking any water. Yes. The important thing is not to lose our heads.

[Paladin]

By all means.

[Sid Morgan]

One thing, Paladin. You'll pay for this.

[Paladin]

Suppose you get started,

[Stacy Neil]

Paladin. Yes, it is murder.

[Paladin]

No.

[Stacy Neil]

That son will kill them.

[Paladin]

No, Stacy. They'll destroy themselves. We watched the figures of the men grow small in the distance. Then I tied my horse on behind the buckboard and we started out across the dry lake, Driving slowly behind them, keeping them always in sight. Hours passed, and the sun beat down without mercy. More hours passed.

[Stacy Neil]

Their plan didn't seem to work.

[Paladin]

What's the that?

[Stacy Neil]

Saving the water. Have you noticed? You can see them passing the canteen back and forth.

[Paladin]

Yes. Stacy. I don't belong here.

[Stacy Neil]

Where?

[Paladin]

In the judgment seat? Nah, I'm going after them.

[Stacy Neil]

I thought you would.

[Paladin]

Come on.

[Stacy Neil]

Paladin. Paladin, Look.

[Paladin]

Oh, no.

[Sid Morgan]

You better stop him.

[Paladin]

Morgan.

[Sid Morgan]

Morgan.

[Paladin]

He's dead.

[Sid Morgan]

Yes. As I killed him. Took two swallows of water. He was only supposed to take one. I killed him with this rock.

[Paladin]

I guess you're not beyond the law this time, Morgan.

[Sid Morgan]

Two swallows. The agreement was won.

[Paladin]

Come on. And now, the bickerson.

[Stacy Neil]

John vickerson. I can't stand.

[Sid Morgan]

What's the matter, Blanche? What's the matter?

[Stacy Neil]

It's that horrible snoring.

[Sid Morgan]

Must be that fat guy next door. I'll fix him.

[Stacy Neil]

Why did you close the window, John?

[Sid Morgan]

You said the neighbors were snoring.

[Stacy Neil]

Oh, snoring, silly. They're on vacation. And I've been worried they might have car trouble on their trip.

[Sid Morgan]

She's worried. Before they left, Harry took the car into his GM dealers for guardian maintenance. Right now they're offering performance service specials. Just so summer driving will be trouble free and worry free.

[Stacy Neil]

You think guardian maintenance is all right, don't you?

[Sid Morgan]

All right? Why, it's the best kind of service for the best kind of cars, even at three o' clock in the morning. Now, good night Blanche. We recommend a daytime call on your GM dealer for educated service by trained mechanics using special tools and factory approved parts. If you own a Chevy, Pontiac, Olds, Buick or Cadillac, get Guardian maintenance.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, I have had no luck lately. Wait.

[Lady Luck (Spinquest Promoter)]

Lady luck Britsky. I got you. I've had so much luck on spinquest.com they have all of my favorite games, slot games, live blackjack, craps and bubble craps. You can even get a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[Narrator/Announcer]

10 bucks for 30. I'm headed over to spinquest.com right now. Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spin quest.com for more details.

[Sid Morgan]

Have Gun Will Travel, created by Herb Meadow and Sam Rolf, is produced and directed in Hollywood by Norman McDonald and stars John Zaynor as Paladin with Ben Wright as Hey Boy. Tonight's story was written by Dennis and Terry Sanders and adapted for radio by Ann Dowd. Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin, Lynn Allen, Barney Phillips and Vic Taran. Hugh Douglas speaker making. Join us again next week when cbs radio presents have gun will travel.

[Stacy Neil]

Foreign.

[Andrew Ryans (Host)]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook join in the conversation by going to otrwesterns.Com Discord and don't forget to send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com this episode is copyright under the Attribution non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and again, thanks for listening.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, I have had no luck lately. Wait.

[Lady Luck (Spinquest Promoter)]

Lady luck Britsky.

[She's Birdie Advertiser]

I got you.

[Lady Luck (Spinquest Promoter)]

I've had so much luck on spinquest.com they have all of my favorite games, slot games, live blackjack craps and bubble craps. You can even get a $30 coin pack for just 10 bucks.

[Narrator/Announcer]

10 bucks for 30. I'm headed over to spinquest.com right now. Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.