[Conor Friedersdorf]
Consider Las Vegas after 12 hours: already there is an urge to escape. The once quaint sounds of the casino floor clank against the nerves. You discern wrinkles beneath the caked-on makeup of haggard cocktail waitresses and paunch on black-jack dealers whose slouches gradually deepen.
Earlier on wedding parties brush past, tuxedos pressed and bridesmaid dresses flowing, fresh flowers pinned as boutonnières and bundled into bouquets. Friends beam as groom kisses bride: a happy future seems assured.
Hours later, a woman in a wedding dress stands alone, teetering drunk, her husband passed out upstairs. Her veil dangles from a blackjack table, anchored by a rum and coke; its ice is long since melted and a rust colored-ring remains when she yanks up the veil, tipping liquid onto the green felt where the dollar dances of her loved ones were gambled away.
In Las Vegas anyone who lingers very long finds its luster is lost, a particularly harsh sight in a city where the lights never dim.
It is, however, an excellent place to watch March Madness.
Yes, I've always heard that Vegas is the best place to watch the first two rounds of The Tourney.
And I believe it. Just imagining a sports book broadcasting every game, with cheering college basketball fans in the background, makes me happy.
I guess it loses its luster in 12 hours if you park your butt in the casino for that whole time.
I understand this post is suppose to be more nuanced than that, but it's really pretty silly.
"I guess it loses its luster in 12 hours if you park your butt in the casino for that whole time.
I understand this post is suppose to be more nuanced than that, but it's really pretty silly."
I kind of agree with this comment. Las Vegas is a MUCH MORE dynamic and interesting place than its critics acknowledge.
Well don't keep us in suspense about the dynamic, interesting parts! Let's say I'm in Vegas for a convention, I'm out of gambling money and I've already gotten my fill of In N Out. Where shall I go? (Please don't send me to see a musical inspired by ABBA.)
Try renting a car (from Hertz Green) and driving north into the red rock country; or, drive east to the dam and lake; or, further east to the Grand Canyon.
Conor,
Actually, it's nice to know that MM has, at least, one friend that is literate and intelligible. I thought you captured, rather deftly, the hoary reality of our country's crush on Casinos..
Hours later, a woman in a wedding dress stands alone, teetering drunk, her husband passed out upstairs. Her veil dangles from a blackjack table, anchored by a rum and coke; its ice is long since melted and a rust colored-ring remains when she yanks up the veil, tipping liquid onto the green felt where the dollar dances of her loved ones were gambled away.
I guess this is why what happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas.
OTOH, I agree with the other commenters that there's more to Vegas than gambling.
God that blows.
See if you can find a whore who teaches creative writing.
Where shall I go?
Geek out at the Star Trek Experience. Hang out in Mandalay Bay's incredible aquariums. Eat at buffets. Catch a show on half-price tickets.
My wife and I had a hell of a time during three days in Vegas, and our time spent gambling was a token dollar in a slot machine just to see what all the fuss was about. (I still don't see the allure of gambling. Maybe it's attractive to people with no knowledge of statistics?)