Many of you long time readers know me from my many years of daily trip reports (Summer of '55; National Casino Run; Hit 'em All Nevada, etc) and quite a few readers have wondered why I don't compile them into a book (Add up all the pages from the National Casino Run, which totaled 225 pages would have been long enough). However, as I've mentioned in the past, most of these daily reports were very repetitive and would essentially be just another in a long line of Travel books. It would only appeal to a small group of enthusasts. The reports (diaries really) make for something to read over coffee, but nothing with any long lasting information.
So, I've been toying with another idea that I think might make a good book that would not only interest our readers here at LVA but possibly others outside the gambling world, but still fascinated with everything Vegas.
What do you think?
The working book title would be: Who REALLY Makes Vegas Run?
Yes, the casino owners put up the money; yes, the GMs and CFOs watch the money come and go; and yes, the supervisors make sure everyone does his or her job. But Las Vegas is about the customer, the vacationer, the wanna-be get-rich-quick gambler. All these people don't talk with the GMs, the owners, or the accountants. What makes these people come back again and again are the good folks on the front lines that deal with the day-to-day wishes and needs of the customer.
The cab/limo drivers that get you where you want to go...
The valets that take the cars to and from the garage...
The people at the front desk that book your room...
The maids that clean your room...
The bartenders and bar waitresses that take your drink orders...
The dealer that gives you your cards/dice and takes or gives you your money...
The midnight shift waiters and waitresses that bring you your food...
These and others that pretty much are the worker bees, soon-forgotten daily workers that we rely on to see to it that our basic needs are met, and take the brunt of our complaints.
It is their diaries that I think would be interesting. The daily routines from running in eight hour shifts in 110 degrees to get your car to the valet, to cleaning up the "accidents" in your rooms and on your sheets, to the person who demands a suite at a regular room price, to the guy who stiffs at the dining table or for the ride to your your hotel.
These are the people the truly make Las Vegas run. They are the grease that keeps the corporate machine running day and night, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Where did they come from? What journey took them from a high school to the doors of the mega-resorts or even the small No-tell Motel just off Freemont? What happened on their worst day? What happened on their best day? What are their hopes and dreams? I want to give a name to the nameless, and a face to the faceless.
Of course, this would mean a lot of research, and lots and lots of in-depth interviews, but I think this would make a good read.
What do you think?
So, I've been toying with another idea that I think might make a good book that would not only interest our readers here at LVA but possibly others outside the gambling world, but still fascinated with everything Vegas.
What do you think?
The working book title would be: Who REALLY Makes Vegas Run?
Yes, the casino owners put up the money; yes, the GMs and CFOs watch the money come and go; and yes, the supervisors make sure everyone does his or her job. But Las Vegas is about the customer, the vacationer, the wanna-be get-rich-quick gambler. All these people don't talk with the GMs, the owners, or the accountants. What makes these people come back again and again are the good folks on the front lines that deal with the day-to-day wishes and needs of the customer.
The cab/limo drivers that get you where you want to go...
The valets that take the cars to and from the garage...
The people at the front desk that book your room...
The maids that clean your room...
The bartenders and bar waitresses that take your drink orders...
The dealer that gives you your cards/dice and takes or gives you your money...
The midnight shift waiters and waitresses that bring you your food...
These and others that pretty much are the worker bees, soon-forgotten daily workers that we rely on to see to it that our basic needs are met, and take the brunt of our complaints.
It is their diaries that I think would be interesting. The daily routines from running in eight hour shifts in 110 degrees to get your car to the valet, to cleaning up the "accidents" in your rooms and on your sheets, to the person who demands a suite at a regular room price, to the guy who stiffs at the dining table or for the ride to your your hotel.
These are the people the truly make Las Vegas run. They are the grease that keeps the corporate machine running day and night, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Where did they come from? What journey took them from a high school to the doors of the mega-resorts or even the small No-tell Motel just off Freemont? What happened on their worst day? What happened on their best day? What are their hopes and dreams? I want to give a name to the nameless, and a face to the faceless.
Of course, this would mean a lot of research, and lots and lots of in-depth interviews, but I think this would make a good read.
What do you think?
