It was 9am when it started. Already a few "free" beers in, we were working the blackjack tables. Living large like dumb and dumber. Here ya go.. here ya go.. tipping everyone that walked by us. Then Scott found the luck tipping point. Putting $75 on the spin-the-wheel-of-stupidity, everyone at my table watched as he was going to hit it big. Spinning, spinning spinning, stop! Balanced right on the needle! What are the chances! How do you not win or lose on a spinning wheel game? Scott did it, and the casino determined they needed to do another spin. He lost, and it started our downfall from power.
Within an hour we gave everything back to the casino, and more. We were just about broke, with two days left to our trip. The very reasonably priced burgers at the Venetian were now way out of our price range, and free beer stopped flowing.
We began our adventure down the strip in search of food and drink. As we walked down the strip the advertisements on the billboards hinted at the type of area we were entering. $5 Corona, 2 for 1 $5 Corona, A bucket of beer $5, bucket and a steak $7. About an hour on foot we found our place... I believe it was 25 cent draft and street food. Poor, lonely and strung out on drugs, the girl walking next to us begins to complain about how she was pregnant and hasn't eaten for days. OK, maybe not the greatest neighborhood but with the economic hit we took earlier, our $10 cash in these parts is equal to $1000 back at the V. At least we would be treated with the service we had become accustomed to. With our $10, we were again... kings.
We hit the slots. Carrying huge buckets of coin like rockstars we committed to a location. Bring me my beer, I'm just getting started. 1,2,3 credits... do I dare.... ok 4, 5. I have maxed out the machine and pull the lever. Shit. 5 cents gone. We play for 30 min, drink lots of beer and walk away down another $4.
Gambling was not working. We needed to burn some time and see some sights. At the front of the ghetto casino we come across a huge dollar slot machine. Clearly a tourist trap, but we were here so it was necessary. In this part of town it could have been the only thing of value left to take a picture of, because it was bolted down to the floor. Standing next to it is a police officer on patrol. As FatScott takes a picture with the machine I manage to distract the officer just long enough for someone to grab our camera bag without being noticed. In amazement, Scott and I start laughing uncontrollably. They got the bag, but not the camera which was around FatScott's neck. It was time to leave the ghetto.
As the days go by we manage to seal the gaping hole in our pocket and control our losses a trickle. We eat only when necessary and scam free drinks when thirsty. Our grandfather once told us an awesome trick. Walk around the high rollers area with cash in hand like you are looking to play something and you will get a drink immediately. IT WORKS. We pooled our money and invested in a $20 bill. Before we knew it we were living like kings again. Bring me my beer.
Our trials and tribulations taught us much, and we had successfully snuck ourselves back into the lifestyle which was taken from us at noon on the first day. Its was time for revenge. A total of $20 left, and five hours until our flight, we begin our mission. It felt like Oceans 14 meets Vegas Vacation. After a short pep talk in the room, we got riled up to make our final visit to the casino floor. When we reached the casino floor FatScott shut his eyes, held his $20 out, and told it to lead the way. Lead the way... Like the scene from Princess Bride when Westley finds the hidden door - Scott found his machine.
Its a 25 cent machine that takes 4 credits. Always playing full credits, that would give us 20 tries. Go big or go home right? $10 into the gambling... nothing. $11, nothing. Then the luck changed. A HIT. We had 2 hours left and we won something! 250 QUARTERS!!! WE ARE RICH!!
Me - "Scott, lets cash this in an get out of here"
FatScott - "No, its mine"
Me - "I know- get cash and lets get out of here"
FatScott - "No, I mean the quarters. They are mine. I want all of their quarters."
Me - "Right..."
I'm not sure how many of you have tried doing this, but apparently carrying 250 loose quarters in a carry-on piece of luggage is frowned upon by TSA. When asked, FatScott told them the same... "They are my quarters, I won them".
Las Vegas.... we have your quarters.
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