Chapter 2
Laughlin sat like a glittering jewel in the bleak Nevada desert. The city was small in area, a pinprick on the landscape really, but big in self-regard. At night, the bright, pulsating lights of its dozen or so hotel-casinos lit up the sky for miles around. Its lifeblood was the Colorado river, which flowed beside it, as well as the millions of gamblers who stopped by each year to bet their hard-earned money on a dream. Few people actually escaped Laughlin with fatter wallets or purses, but that didn't keep them from coming.
In fact, two new dreamers were driving up the main drag now.
"Which casino do you want to hit first?" Drew asked.
"The Waterville."
Brian's hand had left her pussy a half-hour ago, after bringing her to a delicious orgasm. He was now practicing counting down a deck and did not look at her. His lips whispered numbers as he rapidly turned over the cards.
"I thought you said the rules were better at the Buckaneer?"
"I never do well at the Buckaneer, remember?" he said between cards. "The dealers must cheat."
He wasn't angry with her for talking while he practiced. like all good system players, he was able to keep up the count despite distractions.
"Oh."
The main drag was also the only major street in Laughlin. Casinos were lined up along it like electric fly traps, neon signs pulsating hypnotically, hoping to lure in their share of tourists. The Waterville hotel was at the very end of the main drag-or the very beginning, depending upon your point of entry. Drew turned into the parking lot of the casino and began searching for a stall.
Finished practicing, Brian dropped the pack of cards into his shirt pocket.
"Use valet parking."
"Are you sure? There are plenty of spaces available."
Which was true. It was a Tuesday night and the parking lot was only half full. Brian refused to play blackjack on the weekends or holidays, when so many people came to town he could hardly find an open seat at a table.
"We're gonna get a room, remember? I don't want to have to lug our bags any farther than I have to."
"Oh. Okay."
She parked in front of the main entrance. She and Brian got out and pulled their luggage from the back. Then Drew handed the valet her keys.
"Take good care of her," she said to him. "She's worth a million."
The valet, an older gentleman whose eyes held much appreciation for Drew, smiled and drove off.
Brother and sister went inside, where they were immediately confronted with a maze of slot machines, table games, cashier cages, gift shops, bars, and restaurants. The music of the slot machines was almost deafening. Even though it was a week night, Laughlin was still a busy town. Plenty of people had nothing better to do with their time than gamble away their money. Brian and Drew looked around in confusion, not knowing in which direction to go. It was easy to get lost inside a large casino like the Waterville, even if you had been to it dozens of times before. Finally, they spotted the sign they were looking for. They followed its arrow around the corner to the registration desk. Brian fell back as they approached it, which indicated to Drew that he expected her to handle all the arrangements.
She asked him, "How many nights are we staying?"
He thought about it. "Three. At least three." She held out her hand to him, palm upward. He stared down at it, uncomprehending. "What's this?"
"Money. Give me money."
"You've got money."
"Yes, and it's in your wallet. Two months of my wages."
Brian growled as he dug a Ben Franklin out of his wallet and handed it over. Drew went to the desk and got the room and two keys for it. The keys were in the form of magnetic cards that were programmed to open their door by sliding it through a slot. As they were walking towards the elevator, she asked, "After stowing our luggage, are we going to come right back down and gamble?"
He shook his head. "No. I want to rest after that long drive."
By the way he looked at her as he said that, Drew suspected what kind of "rest" he had in mind.