Hi everyone, hope you enjoy! (I know the character's identity are kinda obvious, but you'll just have to pretend you don't know who they are!) :)

Gambler

"All in." The blonde commanded, pushing her huge mound of chips into the middle of the green felt. Blazing aquamarine eyes challenged any of the players to oppose her bet. Adrenaline surged through her veins - she had just bet over $5000 on a low straight flush. In her hand stood the 5, 4, 3, 2 and ace of clubs; not bad by her standards, but beatable. Some of the men surrounding the table raised their eyebrows; rarely did the blonde bet all-in on the earlier games. Currently, the ante was only $150, and she was on her third bourbon. Everyone knew that the big bets usually came from the blonde after the third or fourth game (and fifth or sixth drink). All the players around the poker table that night were regulars. After all, it was 11pm on a regular Tuesday night and therefore only the hardcore players remained at the club. The club itself was definitely illegal, but the blonde knew exactly what she was walking into and liked the fact that no-one from the club would speak to her outside. She was widely respected in the club - in fact, she was revered by many because she was known for spending huge amounts, sometimes surpassing $10,000, in an ordinary night. Bearing in mind that she frequented the club every other night, she was betting away several tens of thousands of dollars each week. It was no secret that this woman was addicted to gambling. Furthermore, everyone knew, the blonde included, that gambling would be her downfall. Even though she had tried going cold turkey before, it was inconceivable to her. As long as there was money in her bank, she wasn't able to withstand staying away from the poker table for more than 4 days. Her gambling was more predictable than the sunrise. When she was miserable, she'd gamble to feel the buzz - when she was happy, she'd gamble to stay happy. Increasing amounts of her time were spent playing illegally set-up poker games in the underground club, and there was absolutely nothing she could do about it. Just as an itch needs to be scratched, she needed to gamble. Perhaps if she had someone to go home to the gambling would've stopped a long time ago. But, seeing as she lived alone, worked very long hours, and had inordinate amounts of money from a well-paid job and various trust funds, there was nothing in the world that could stop this gambler's addiction.

"Same here. I'm all in." Came from a gruff, dark-eyed man with a baseball cap pulled low over his forehead. He placed all his chips into the centre of the table. Seeing as the man had no choice but to fold, match or raise the previous bet (and he believed he held a good hand), he had decided bet all in. He couldn't tell if the woman was bluffing or not; recently, she'd become superb at hiding previous, minute tells like clasping her drinking glass when she had a bad hand. As always, the players tried to avoid eye contact; playing in this club could land them a prison stint and seriously tarnish their reputations. There were several high-status players (including two state lawyers, a federal cop and three millionaire businessmen), and a raid would lead to lost profits and jobs. Thus, there was no trust amongst the players.

All the other poker players around the table folded consecutively. Bets were far too high to match this early on in the night. Seeing as both of the remaining players had betted all in, it was time to reveal their hands. Simultaneously, the two opponents flipped their hands face up on the emerald felt. The man held a Jack, 9, 7, 2 and ace of diamonds flush - a decent hand, but defeated by the woman's straight flush. An exultant breath escaped the blonde; the corners of her pink lips curved into a smile as she scooped up the pot of chips. Adrenaline peaked in her brain - this is what she played for...what she lived for. Her rouged cheeks were warm with exhilaration. Including the ante, she had just won over $7000.

"Fuck!" The gruff man shouted before draining the last of his whisky. Anger over his misplaced arrogance swam in those dark eyes. Perhaps the blonde would've pitied him in her earlier days but, seeing as he'd probably just win it all back from her tomorrow, she didn't feel too bad. Still riding the high, she stood up, drank the rest of her bourbon and cashed in her chips.

"Put this on my tab please." She husked to the cashier. There was no point in taking the money home or even cashing in the chips - she knew she'd spend all her winnings here in the next few days. Occasionally, she'd stay and talk to some of her associates, but today she'd come purely to get her fix. With a thrilling and unexpected win coursing through her veins, she left the club.

Drinker

"Another double please." The brunette woman sitting at the bar quietly demanded. She handed her glass to the barman for a refill. Shakily, she raised the glass to her rouge lips and took three large gulps. Black pupils widened with happiness as the dark, swirling whisky coursed through her veins, inducing a blissful sense of contentment. She finally allowed herself to relax. But her drinking was different from most other people's, as it was through no choice of her own that she relied on alcohol - drinking allowed her to finally forget. The woman's job was extremely stressful and brought many moral challenges; without alcohol, she was forced to relive her most painful memories, most of which involved her occupation. Unfortunately for both her wallet and liver, the brunette found solace at the bottom of a liquor glass.

"Another please." She quietly nodded to the barman again, slowly sliding forward her glass. She glanced at her silver watch; seeing as it was quarter to 11 on a Tuesday night and she had work tomorrow, she decided to make this drink her last. After months of heavy drinking almost every night, her body was capable of handling a lot of drink - now was no exception. Although her brain felt tired and fuzzy, her body was as alert and quick as it was when she was sober. Her plump, pink lips were arced into a blissful smile, a lazy heartbeat resonating throughout her body. Finally relaxed, she closed her heavy eyelids. Alcohol seemed to be the only thing that made her feel so...untroubled. The thought of drowning her sorrows always got her through a bad day.

Draining the dregs of her glass, the olive-skinned, brunette woman stood up and headed out of the bar into the frosty night.