Rick Rien (2023) Viva Nothing

Rick Rien (a pseudonym) sent me a copy of his book, Viva Nothing. The title comes from a virtual race. He fancied the name, placed a bet, and won. Usually, he loses. It’s in the title.

Rick’s addiction is gambling. Most of us know someone that is addicted to something. ‘Some of my best mates are drunk drivers,’ is a line I used in one of my longer stories, Ugly Puggly. Smoking and drinking used to be the big-hitters. Drugs (legal, illegal or both) coming on the outside rail. Hash to help you sleep, medicinal and non-medicinal. Gambling and porn. They’re not kept in different pots. Rick reckons he’s had a bash at most of them. He also reckons he’s clinically depressed and suicidal.

Queen Elizabeth II died 2022. Rick’s 200 page journal was near completion. He’d a bit of success with an illustrated children’s book with Queen Elizabeth as the main character. The illustrator that did his graphics had also died that year.

Rick also name checked the writing site he belonged to: ABCtales. I also belong to it. So I was familiar with his backstory. We’d already met on the page and are around the same age. He reminded me of one of my best mates, Laughing Boy. I’ve known him about thirty years. He’s also a painter. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist tended to think everybody he worked with was an arsehole, and if they’d just get out of the way, he’d finish the job. Laughing Boy has worked offshore, in shipyards, and painting submarines. When he talks about work, I get that sinking feeling.

I’ll also say to Laughing Boy, what are you putting all your money into a machine for? Rick knows the answer to that better than me.

He started like LB on the fruit machines, when he was a boy, winning big. He believes in beginners’ luck, like others believe in poltergeists. Then followed the demonic curve of infestation, oppression and possession.

‘This is the stage where the entity takes control of the individual’s body or mind. Signs of possession can vary widely and may include speaking in strange languages.’

Rick’s mate, and fellow gambler, Kieran, for example, trying to convince him not to go into rehab.

‘You’re fine with a few drinks mate.’

I was a fool and I’d have my personality gouged out of me.

‘They’ll turn your brain to mush mate. I’ve seen it dozens of times.’  

Rick had sent his (unpublished) journal to a charity that specialised in helping addicts. Rick lives in London and supports Arsenal. I’m never sure how anybody can afford to live in London. Rick isn't Paul Merson that had blown around £7 million in bets, nor John Hartson, or Tony Adams. He was living hand-to-mouth and couldn’t afford their charitable fees. The best he could hope for was the cops that pulled him over didn’t breathalyse him or fine him for speeding. He’d been in rehab before. But that was mainly for alcohol.

It had been around the time he’d split up with his wife. He’d lost access to his two daughters. It still enrages him twenty years later.

Laughing Boy experienced a similar split. Rick Rein has a Lady friend. The language is antiquated and harks back to a time that didn’t exist. If it was Laughing Boy, I’d just say to him yer shagging a married woman. She’s got a house and kids and she’s no gonnae leave him for an arsehole like you.

Women fall off pedestals. Usually they’re pushed. Laughing Boy’s partner, who was a Lady, suddenly became a fucking cow. All her foibles were out there. He didn’t want to speak to her again. When I read Rick Rein, I think of my sister’s husband. They never bothered divorcing. He’s in Australia. That’s near enough.  

Viva Nothing shows he may think he’d make a great father, but the evidence is on the page. Like my sister’s son, his children are adults. They can make their own mind up.

The guy in rehab asked a simple question. What do you hope to achieve by sending this book to me?

Rein wasn’t sure. ABCtales has just over 20 000 authors, who have published virtual stories, including him and me. My dream around ten years ago was to make a living from writing. I no longer think that way. Rein’s dream was in boldface: the book, the film, the success story.

There’s a meeting with a spiritualist who tells him he’s on the right path. Viva Nothing is a punt. Somebody up there likes me. With over four million books published by Amazon every year, I just hope it’s their algorithm. Read on.  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=9780956781154&i=stripbooks&linkCode=qs

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/14/blackpool-mp-scott-benton-faces-commons-suspension-over-lobbying-scandal