One Eyed Jacks

I used to go to this illegal (no legal gambling in Japan) Black Jack parlor-slash-strip club in Roppongi, a place called One Eyed Jacks, in a district in the center of Tokyo where I used to live.

One night, I was sitting at a table, playing BlackJack and this guy with an English accent sat down next to me. This meant very little to me as at that time in my life, I had never even been to the UK. After about an hour of sitting, drinking and chatting with the bloke, I began to realize that there were an inordinant number of young pretty thangs hanging around my new mate.

It turns out it was Sir Richard. Chairman of Virgin Galactic Airways. We sat together until almost 4am and had a fabulous time. But to give you some perspective on Sir Richards’ holdings:

• Virgin Active
• Virgin America
• Virgin Atlantic Airways
• Virgin Balloon Flights
• Virgin Blue
• Virgin Books
• Virgin Brides
• Virgin Cars
• Virgin Cinemas
• Virgin Comics
• Virgin Digital
• Virgin Drinks
• Virgin Electronics
• Virgin Express
• Virgin Fuel
• Virgin Games
• Virgin Holidays
• Virgin Interactive
• Virgin Jewellery
• Vigin Cosmetics
• Virgin Limobike
• Virgin Limousines
• Virgin Megastores
• Virgin Mobile
• Virgin Money
• Virgin Credit Card
• Virgin Nigeria
• Virgin Play
• Virgin Radio
• Virgin Records
• Virgin Spa
• Virgin Trains
• Virgin TV
• Virgin Vacations
• Virgin Vie
• Virgin Vines
• Virgin Vision
• Virgin Ware
• Virgin Wines
• Virgin.net

In retrospect, I should have pitched him something. I’ve heard the lore about a stewardess on a flight pitching the concept of “Virgin Brides”, a popular bridal chain in the UK, during a flight…and having Dear Richard fund the endeavor.

But all I could think of were cards, naked women and alcohol.

I’m so shallow.