Tag Archives: mob rule

Lost Wages

The Full Vegas

Some Las Vegas stories I’ve posted conclude in downbeat fashion. But like the fables of old or even older Greek myths, morals, or at least lessons, are left behind.

I don’t mean any of the sunnier experiences recounted on these pages. Most of those highlighted reminiscences of old Las Vegas. The mobbed-up times that fueled the city’s luster. When visitors, no, life here in its entirety, had style; when the performers were legendary, and the ambient music better.

Stories from the spear carriers. The background personnel who made the city hum and the guests in it sing praises.

Waitresses. Bartenders. Cigarette girls. Showgirls. Strippers. Bell hops. Sparring partners. Housekeepers and maintenance men. Even a go-fer or two for one-time long-ago heavies. Continue reading The Full Vegas →

Lost Wages

Lead Eggs from a Golden Goose

Heard a fellow bar patron who recently brayed “Las Vegas is too big to fail!” Yeah, he’d been overserved. In other cities, the bartender or server would’ve cut him off. But this being Las Vegas as long as this patron had cash and regularly slid twenties into the bar top video poker machine and steadily kept losing, he was golden. Continue reading Lead Eggs from a Golden Goose →

Lost Wages, Pop Culture, Tales Out of School

The Spear Carriers

Chewing the fat with long-time Las Vegas residents never tires. By that I don’t mean retirees who’ve descended here from elsewhere. Those people invariably have nothing interesting or worthwhile conversationally to add. Just complaints about today and regrets regarding opportunities deferred then dismissed through lengthy delay.

There’s only so much wistfulness one should hear until it starts burdening the present. Besides, once here and once monotony sets in too many of them become pill-poppin’ day drunks. Continue reading The Spear Carriers →