Ride the King’s Highway
I’m Drunk, I’ll Raise
The next day was just as hot and just as unbearable, but I only had to ride 80 miles to make it to Las Vegas; it was 115 degrees without a cloud in the sky. I saw Las Vegas miles before getting there and it truly is in the middle of nowhere. I rode into North Las Vegas via highway 15 and stopped at the first hotel, and so it was The Cannery were I made my home. I could have went to the strip, but I didn’t want to pay strip prices. Besides, sitting at stop-and-go lights with a helmet and black leather jacket on in 115 degree weather while the sun beats down on you and the blacktop radiates heat up on you is torturous.
I signed in using my fake id, then headed up to my room. After I showered I walked back down to do a little gambling. I walked over to the poker lounge where an Asian woman in a vest was standing. “Are there any open seats?” “No, not right now.” “What limits are they playing?” “2/4, should I sign you up?” “Yes” “OK, we will page you when a seat opens up.” With that I walked outside to my bike, drove to the nearest gas station, and purchased a 6 pack of Mickey’s, then I went back up to my room and drank it.
Everything is different while intoxicated. Small details that would go unnoticed are noticed and large details that should be noticed go unnoticed. The swirling colors of the carpet captivated my attention as I walked. I made my way to the poker lounge where the Asian girl, upon seeing me, immediately motioned over to me that a seat had opened up. I walked over to the cage and she walked behind it. I threw two crisp $100 bills on the counter. She looked up at me with a surprised look, but I already knew what she was concerned about. “What’s the usual buy-in?” I asked before she could respond. “It is a $100 max buy-in.” “OK,” I said as I took back one of the bills. She gave me a rack and I sat down. Never once was I asked for proof of age, but I guess they don’t care as long as you aren’t causing trouble and you are spending money. When the pregnant waitress came by to take free drink orders I knew I was in the right place, and it felt great. After a few hours of cards I felted, but I didn’t feel like buying back in with the last $100 bill I previously presented; I was too drunk to play seriously and I needed that money to get back home.
The strip was a drunken blur, there were lights, tourists, shows, and restaurants, but everything seemed manufactured and it all cost too much money anyway. I went back to my room to sleep, it would be another hellishly hot day tomorrow. It was still 102 degrees and it was 12:30am.