The Big Come Up & Fall Down: Easter in the Desert Part 3 by NoRulezChris

     I see a massive-looking resort in the distance. I pull into the parking lots, walk into one of the three colossal doors and my mind gets blown. The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno Nevada  by far, is the largest monstrosity since leaving Vegas. In fact, this resort is larger than anything I’ve seen on this entire trip, including Atlantis. I spent some time roaming around a little and picking out some of my favorite machines here and there. I was winning some, losing some, and was getting tired. I really wanted to get the number that I needed to feel good which was around 27k, I said to myself. Big Time error, I shouldn’t have stretched so far. I was just a few grand away from my goal. 
     I was playing craps with my wonderful dog lying by my side. The money was rolling in and the bets I was placing were odd and winning. I was betting between a few hundred and two thousand per roll. On one particular bet I lost a thousand, then 2k, then I lost 3k, and my 6k bet failed. If I count now, it will make me aware of my loss. That was the thought I should have run with, to take a break and count. I was in the heat of losing and did not know I was in the ring with Tyson. Blow after blow ranging between 3k and 6k, which were split into various spots on the board. Reno limits the bets to $3,000 per bet and I matched them, foolishly. I lay a giant stack of black chips, they fall over, my bet on the field is maxed out, and I move the rest of my $100 chips around the board. Technically one could bet many times for each roll, meaning the amount bet per roll was endless. Seven, crap!!! I pull out the remainder of my cash and the Benjamins switch to chips quickly. I lose my savings even more quickly. My attempts at trying to get to where I was are futile. I’m trying to go up a hill that’s kicking me in the face, gut, and balls. My giant stack of $100 chips is gone as is the rest of my cash. 
     The reality of what I just did was dirty and painful. There was no running from my feelings or any weed that could mask my failure.
     My money is gone, everything I won, and all my cash savings. I went to the cash machine to get some survival money. I gambled and won maybe two hundred dollars. From about 23 thousand dollars to 700 bucks, pretty tough pill to swallow and that was the only pill I had swallowed in a few days. It got stuck and hurt but life flows on with its endless ups and downs. I had gone outside and smoked a crappy $4 joint that tasted like ass. When Loo and I went back in we were talking to the manager about taxes and such, he said “Let me introduce you to our VIP host.” She ends up hooking us up with two hotel nights, a hundred in food comps which are good at a ton of restaurants inside the resort, $400 in slot play, a pair of swim trunks, and a hundred bucks cash. I’ll take it! Now I can get some sleep after 72 hours of nonstop gambling and driving.
     I woke up Saturday around noon in the comfy complimentary lodgings of the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. The last few days have been a whirlwind of success and disaster, and now being met with education on my back. I wandered the casino floor in search of a paying machine when I stumbled upon a slice of gold. I found a $423 bet on the floor of the casino. Somebody had dished out $300 on the Denver Nuggets to lose and I was holding the ticket. Had this ticket fallen outta some poor unlucky schmucks pocket? It did, and it was now mine. This was a transcendent occasion that taught me not to bet with my emotions, usually. There are occasions where emotion can be beneficial though. I’m a Colorado Native and our Denver Nuggets happen to be playing the Golden State Warriors. Go Nuggets! I was going to bet on them to beat the Warriors with an upset. Instead, I get this ticket that has me watching the game cheering for $423. 
     The Warriors won, and I saved money thanks to finding my free money. To think, the lady in front of me stopped and looked at the “trash” on the ground. I had to wait a day after finding it but that’s ok. I ate a great free meal of steak, shrimp, and cake. Now I shall sleep well again.
     Happy Easter! I chow down a salad, head to the car, and pop out my winning ticket which reads Golden Nugget. I asked a guy in the parking lot what direction this casino was, he started to give complex directions, I asked him “You’ve been smoking THC, Sativa right?” He took off his glasses and asked “How did I know he was smoking THC?” I told him I studied people, plus I smoke. He asked me again, in shock, if I knew what drug he was on. I slapped him a pound and left him in awe. It takes one to know one I thought to myself. I also noticed he had a vape pen in his hand.
     Never been to the Golden Nugget in Reno, just Las Vegas. The stench of stale cigarettes at casinos is standard but someone’s been farting. Stanky. The sports book is close to the entry. Only one person is in the room. The cashier looks like he’s typing on his phone. He’s fat and the chair wobbles as he reaches for my ticket. Says nothing, hands me the cash. I say “thank you”, and ask him about two bets, he says “Boy you sure do want a lot, you know why I work here, for tips.” Ok. Fuck you I won’t place any bets. I told the lazy ass “I got a tip but it’s only for the ladies. I’m from Denver, I found that ticket on the floor. Go Nuggets!” I blared as I exited the Golden Nugget Casino. Happy Easter ya schmuck. Now, I feel driven.
     I drove straight back to GSR where they have respectful workers. I went into the basement of the resort, and my mind was blown. Inside were more restaurants, an arcade, a spa, a movie theater, a concert venue, and lots of fun for the family. Definitely the coolest family-friendly action-packed basement I’ve ever seen. My favorite part is the entrance to the outdoor pool area. The main pool was closed but there was a second smaller pool that had waterfalls, and a half dozen hot tubs. After dipping myself into the heated pool, I realized my vape pen with THC Indica was in my pocket. Oops. I pull it out of my underwater pocket and walk through the pool past the fly girl on the phone. As water drips outta my pen I can hear “Aww that sucks”, from the girl on the phone. 
     I head to the hot tub where my pen can dry and I can rap with Compton Lee. This is the guy whom I got directions from this morning on my walk to the Grand Sierra parking lot. In the hot tub was also an inebriated, fraternity guy, Andy who seemingly was barely holding it together, a guy who was into sports betting, risking on longshots. He explained how in some leagues a team could be up for elimination, a long shot, and possibly be a solid bet.
      Soccer, you gotta watch out for ties on soccer bets, I thought and a man with his daughter introduces himself. It was a large tub and my pen was still working after a 2-minute dip in the pool. After a minute Compton Lee offers me a hit on his pen. “Sativa?” I ask. “Yes,” he replies. He’s from Mexico originally but lives between Tahoe and Compton. His English is excellent and I’m impressed that he speaks multiple languages. As we pull on his pen, blowing massive hits up into the windless air, it’s about time to walk Loo dog, who I hope is silently awaiting my return. I give Lee my number, say peace out to the rest of the hot tub. Lee never did call me as I believe he was a bit thrown off by me. I had long given up on long-term friends but would have been down to roll with Compton Lee for a night, knowing he was trouble. I headed onto the casino floor not knowing that I was about to meet the one who would forever leave me a King of Hearts tattoo, or is this the Jack of Hearts?

Blackhawk = Wednesday
Colorado, Utah, Arizona = Thursday
Las Vegas = Thursday into Friday morning
Desert driving Area 51 North = Friday
Carson City = Friday
Reno = Friday night into Monday morning
Drive Home Colorado nonstop = Monday into Tuesday, 9 hours

NoRulezChris
http://www.NoRulezChris.com

Thank you for reading and visiting often NoRulezChris

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