VEGAS- BABY

WHAT HAPPENS HERE-STAYS HERE

Las Vegas, sin city, lost wages, the entertainment capital of the world. I love Vegas, in fact I have a second home out there. There is something in Las Vegas that appeals to almost everyone. Millions of visitors a year are attracted by the glittering lights and that few mile stretch, know as the strip. Within that narrow corridor you can find some of the best hotels, restaurants, casino, and night spots in the world. Not to mention the gambling, ah yes the gambling.

Years ago, the big L.V. was nothing more than a oasis and mountain valley, in the middle of a desert (hence the origin of its name..”the meadows”). Make no mistake about it, this town was built on gambling(and other vises) . Nevada was the first state to legalize casino-style gambling It seems a few of my fellow country men migrated there in search of a place to invest some money (some say, ill gotten gains), and sort of get off the radar screen.

Any way the gaming business quickly took root out there, and a new industry was born. Cards, Keno, roulette, and the notorious “one arm bandits” (as opposed to the two arm bandits, and taxi drivers) People flocked in from all over the country and the world to enjoy the stunning desert scenery, and center of cultural (not). Along with the gaming came themed hotels, restaurants, clubs, money laundering, big production shows, bad Elvis impersonators, hundred dollar chips, golf, broken arms, and other grey area forms of entertainment.

Las Vegas flourished as the rich and famous made the valley, their home away from home.(and the gamblers made the park benches their homes) The brilliant casino operators came up with innovative ideas to attract even more visitors from every state and income group in the country. Soon, you could get everything from a quickie marriage or divorce to a $1.99 prime rib dinner. (and about everything in between).

Hotels popped up like the Stardust, Last Frontier, Thunderbird ,Tropicana, El Rancho Vegas Hotel-Casino, the Flamingo, and Desert Inn.( these early pioneers latter gave way to the new themed :mega-resorts”). Along with the resorts came a parade of celebrities, and assorted shady characters, whom either frequented or made L.V. their home. Stars and performers from singers to circus acts found the lucrative and opulent showrooms, and huge paydays difficult to resist. Big names of the times like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and the incomparable Joey Bishop, performed there, 2 shows a night and 6 days a week. They were followed by the likes of Wayne Newton, Siegfried and Roy, and the king of one- liners Henny Youngman.

But the real secret, the money maker, is the gambling, where the house can dial in the odds to within half a point. And for every winner, there are hundreds of losers. But in the end it really doesn’t matter, because most people don’t even go there expecting to win. Its all about the thrill and exhilaration you get while you’re losing it. Face it, those huge hotels and casinos were not built by putting people back on the planes with a wallet full of money.
Where else can you go where people will willingly leave behind every dollar they have and go home feeling good about the experience. By the way, can you spare a dollar for a cup of coffee. Viva Las Vegas…

Until Latter
P.I.B.