Vegas rich

by Michaels, Fern

  "The Silver Dollar. She has a bunch of bingo palaces on the side streets. I don't think they play bingo anymore, though. I think most of them are poker parlors now. They're just as spiffy as her casino. Mrs. Thornton has exquisite taste. I'm only repeating what I've heard. Fanny, I just had an idea. If you're looking for a second part-time job maybe you should apply to the Silver Dollar. You'd fit right in."

  "I don't think so. I'm not planning on staying here, Bess."

  "Maybe you should think about it. Staying here, I mean. What are you going to do when you get to California? Do you have a plan? A job? A place to hve?"

  "No, no, and no, but I've always wanted to go to California. I'll find a job and a place to live. This place is so . . . garish and ... 2ir-tiiicial. It reminds me of the Fireman's Carnival back in Shamrock. At night it looks exciting, but in the bright dayhght, it looks like what it really is. People throwing their money away in the hope they can make a big score ... is that what you call it? I doubt if this place will ever get in my blood. You told me, Bess, that you don't have a gambling problem, but you do. You're just gambling with other people's money. It's your business, and I won't say anything else. No offense."

  "None taken. As long as I only spend my own ten dollars I'm okay with this. Do you have any idea, Fanny, how hard it is sometimes at the drugstore? Some days I don't think I can make another bowl of egg salad, days when I don't even want to look at the same customers, hear their same tired jokes, carry on the same weary conversations. I hate egg salad, I hate tuna and ham salad. I damn well hate the way it smells. Look, I see the worry on your face. I'm okay. I won't let things get out of hand. I bet you were the steady rock in your family. You were the one who kept it all together, am I right?"

  Was she? She nodded, a small smile on her face. "So, let's go gamble your money."

  Fanny liked playing the slot machines, liked pulling the handle, waiting, holding her breath to see the small pictures flash across the

  line. She won twice—two dollars the first time, three the second time.

  At eleven o'clock, when her arm had started to ache from pulling the lever, Fanny was out a dollar. It wasn't bad for an evening's entertainment. She looked around for Bess. She heard her before she saw her. The bells and whisdes followed her shrill shriek.

  Bess Otis had won the five-hundred-dollar jackpot!

  "Whose money were you playing vvdth, Bess?"

  "Mine!" Bess cried excitedly. "I lost everyone else's money an hour ago."

  "Will those men believe you?"

  Bess turned. Fanny thought she saw fear in her eyes. "Why wouldn't they believe me; it's the truth?"

  "Because they're gangsters, that's why. They probably already know you won the jackpot, and they're going to be waiting for you. My advice would be to go back, say you lost track of whose money you were playing with, and divide it up among them."

  "I won it fair and square with my ov^oi money, Fanny. Why should I do that? This is going into my hope chest fund. Come on, let's go home."

  "Bess, think about it, okay?"

  "I have thought about it. Let's forget the going-home drink. I'll open up the drugstore and make us a big banana spht. Okay? You're worrying about me, I can see it in your face."

  "I'm tired, Bess, I guess it was all the excitement. Let's go get that banana split and go home. Isn't that bag of silver dollars heavy?"

  "It sure is, but I don't care if my arm falls off. Oh, Fanny, I'm going to buy my sterling first thing Monday. I saw this lace comforter cover that was exquisite. It had pillows to match and everything. I can get that, too. I can buy so much instead of paying little bits every week at Ronzone's. It takes forever to pay things off. I don't think I've ever been so happy. My boyfriend is going to be happy, too. I'm not going to tell him where I got the money, though. I'll tell him I saved it."

  "That's a lie, Bess. You shouldn't start your life off on a lie. Getting married is a serious thing,"

  Instead of answering Fanny, Bess said, "I think next week, I'll change my style and go to Mrs. Thornton's Silver Dollar. I'd like you to come along, Fanny." Fanny nodded.

  It was a wonderful banana split, topped off with cherries, crushed ^luts, and a mountain of whipped cream. Fanny and Bess ate every

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  bite and left the dishes in the stainless steel sink under the counter. Then they left the drugstore by the back door, like conspirators in the night.

  9

  Fanny closed the drawer of the file cabinet, a satisfied expression on her face. She dusted her hands dramatically to show what she thought of her four-day effort at straightening up Devin Rollins's file system. The six drawer cabinet was devoted solely to Sallie Thornton's business. Bess was right, Mrs. Thornton was one rich lady. The only file that puzzled her was the R & R Chicken Ranch and a second ranch in Reno called the B & B Chicken Ranch. She shrugged; it wasn't her place to understand the business workings of Mrs. Sal-lie Thornton.

  "Is there anything else you want me to do, Mr. Rollins?"

  "Nothing I can think of You've done a wonderful job in the four days that you've been here. Is there anything I can do to entice you into staying on full-time?"

  "I'm sorry, Mr. Rollins, but I don't think I could live here. It's too dry and dusty for me. I... I'm not sure I could ever live in this town's . . . what I'm trying to say is . . ."

  "You saw the sleazy, tawdry side of it, eh? Well, it is what it is, and I can't say that I blame you. There is another side, though. Believe it or not, there are famihes here, children go to school, there are parks and swimming pools, all the things it takes to make a town grow and prosper. The district employs many people, some of those families I just spoke of In many ways those little communities are like the town you came from in Pennsylvania."

  "Tomorrow evening I'm going to the Silver Dollar with Bess Otis. She told me Mrs. Thornton sings on occasion. She also told me there are men at the door who decide who gets in and who doesn't. Will Bess and I have a problem? I have to tell you, Mr. Rollins, I don't have any fancy dress-up clothes with me."

  "Tomorrow, remind me and I'll call the casino and tell them to expect you. And, yes, Mrs. Thornton sings at the club on occasion. When she does, it's standing room only. She'll be in some time

  today, so you'll get a chance to meet her. Maybe you won't. You're about to leave now, aren't you?"

  '"V^es, sir."

  "Perhaps another time. Enjoy the afternoon. Miss Logan."

  "Why don't you call me Fanny, Mr. Rollins. I don't mind unless you think it isn't professional."

  "Fanny it is."

  Fanny covered her typewriter, blew a speck of dust off her desk, straightened her pencil holder. She did like things neat and tidy. Mrs. Kelly always said you never know who's going to come behind you, and you don't want them gossiping about your untidy habits. It was the same principle as, wear your good underwear because you never know if you're going to be in an accident.

  She turned, her nose picking up the delicious scent of fresh flowers. She looked up, a smile on her face. "You must be Mrs. Thornton. I'm Fanny Logan, Miss Reddington's temporary replacement. Mr. Rollins is expecting you." She wasn't just beautiful, she was gorgeous, Fanny thought. Bess would say she was dressed to the nines.

  "Sallie! Ah, I see you've met Fanny. Fanny, this is Mrs. Thornton. I cannot tell you how efficient this young woman is. She also makes delicious coffee. We were just talking about you and the Silver Dollar. Fanny and Bess Otis want to go to the Silver Dollar tomorrow evening. She's concerned she doesn't have the proper attire."

  "It's not a problem. Miss Logan. Wear whatever is comfortable for you. I'll take care of things. Our show starts at ten o'clock."

  Her voice was low, musical-sounding, but it was her smile that Fanny liked. Tongue-tied, she could only nod. She saw the light in Rollins's eyes and the smile on his face when he reached out to touch Sallie Thornton's arm. It was one of those, this-is-mine, this-belongs-to-me touches that she had read about in books.
Sallie Thornton's response was a brilliant smile that reached her eyes. She turned, aware of Fanny's flustering movements. She winked roguishly, the smile still on her face.

  Fanny left the office believing she knew the biggest secret in the world. Devin Rollins and Sallie Thornton were in love. Maybe someday, someone would look at her the way Devin Rollins looked at Sallie Thornton. She locked the thought away, knowing it would be a measuring guide when and if she ever fell in love.

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  The following evening, dressed in her best, Fanny was waiting on the front porch when Bess drove up at nine-thirty. "Bess, you look wonderful. Is your dress new?"

  "I made it over the weekend. I love emerald green, and the material was a steal. It's appropriate, isn't it?"

  "It's perfect. The pearls are just the right touch. You look like a debutante."

  "So do you."

  Fanny told Bess about her meeting with SEillie Thornton and their brief conversation. She was careful not to mention her own personal observations.

  "I'm excited. I think I'm more excited than I was last week. You know, Fanny, I haven't been able to sleep all week. I keep worrying about what you said. I... I don't think I'll go back to either one of those places. Having that S500 in my hand, that was the most awesome feeling in the world to me. It was my money, Fanny, I swear on my father's life. You were right about everything, and I'm sorry if I was short with you. It's that excitement thing, your adrenaline starts to pump and you're lost. Do you think they'll be looking for me?" she asked fearfully.

  Fanny shrugged. "I rather doubt it. I don't know very much about that type of person. Let's not worry about that this evening. I don't think any of those men will be at Mrs. Thornton's place."

  "I understand that a lot of the officers from Nellis Air Force Base go to the Silver Dollar. The base is only nine miles away, and they come by the busload. Mostiy for the show and to hear Mrs. Thornton sing. Wouldn't that be something, Fanny, if you met one of those good-looking aviators?"

  Fanny blushed. "What about you?"

  "I have a boyfriend. I told you, I'm just sowing my wild oats. If guys can do it, why can't women?"

  "Because society frowns on women doing things like that. Maybe someday things will change, but I doubt it. Men control the world, you know."

  Bess snorted, a very unladylike sound. "Listen, Fanny, I'm not about to change my ways. My mother always says, to thine own self be true. She's right. I'm going to go right on doing what I want to do when I want to do it. Life is one big learning experience. God, I'm excited!"

  "I am too. You were right, Bess, Mrs. Thornton is beautiful. I hope I look like her when I'm her age."

  Bess snorted again. '*What else does she have to do except pamper herself, and she has the money to do it? Money can buy anything."

  "I don't believe that for one minute." Fanny thought about Jake's $200,000 sitting in the safety deposit box. Wherever he was, she knew he wasn't happy. "Money just buys things and gives you security, Bess. It can't make you happy. That's my opinion."

  "Give me a thousand dollars and you'll see one happy person. I'll even sleep with a smile on my face. Just out of curiosity, Fanny, what would make you happy?"

  "Finding a person who would love me, someone I'd like to marry and have children with. Someone who would take care of me and the children if I got sick and had to stay in bed. Someone who would bring me a puppy and not complain when it messed on the floor. Someone who would say to me, you look tired, honey, why don't you go take a nice bubble bath, I'll cook dinner and take care of the kids. Someone who would go to church with me on Sunday, someone who knows how to fix a leaky spigot and who doesn't go nuts when it's time to shovel snow. Someone who comes up behind me and says, gee you smell nice. Someone who doesn't carry a grudge and who won't ever go to bed angry. Someone who tells me he wants our first little girl to look like me.

  "I'm a simple person, Bess. I'd like to find my mother someday. That would make me happy. Having my own little house and family to take care of would make me happy. A small bank account for emergencies would be an asset. I'd like to be a really good cook, that would make me happy."

  "Well, I'd like to be rich and famous. I'll probably be a real stinky wife and mother. I don't know why, but I crave excitement. I love the bright lights and the wild anticipation of things to come. I might never get married. If I decide I can't be what my husband expects, then I'll not walk down the aisle. I might never get done sowing my wild oats. What do you think about that, Fanny Logan?"

  "I think, Bess Otis, that you are a very astute young woman. I think you know yourself very well. I like that in a person."

  Bess experdy swerved the car neady into a parking space. Both young women walked sedately to the Silver Dollar entrance, where they were met by an elegandy clad doorman. Behind him, the ornate door with its polished brass and beveled glass, gleamed in the bright lights. "Your names please."

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  "Fanny Logan and Bess Otis," Fanny said primly. The doorman consulted a list he withdrew from his pocket.

  "Mrs. Thornton said you would be coming by this evening, Miss Logan. If you'll wait just a moment, Fll find someone to escort you into the showroom."

  "Someone is going to escort us. Well, la-de-da," Bess whispered. "Fanny, I cannot tell you how impressed I am." She stretched her neck to peer through the beveled glass. "Everything is distorted, but I can see a lot of mihtary men, and it might interest you to know we're dressed like schoolgirls compared to what I can see."

  "We're just plain, Bess. That doesn't mean our outfits are wrong. Forget about the way we're dressed and enjoy the evening,"

  "Ladies, if you'll come with me, FU show you to your table. Mrs. Thornton wants you to have a ringside table, compliments of the house. Dinner is over, but we can accommodate you with dessert and drinks. All complimentary, of course. Our first show of the evening will start in about ten minutes."

  "Now, that's a real nice-looking gendeman. Compared to the Pioneer and Boulder Clubs, this is like night and day. This is so elegant," Fanny said, looking around. She touched one of the thick, gold ropes that separated the gaming areas. The ankle-hugging area carpets behind the gold ropes were a perfect color match. Here, too, the gaming was subdued. Maybe it was true that gambhng was a gendemen's game, and everyone knew a true gendeman didn't whis-de, stomp his feet, or shout raucously at a win. These gendemen merely gathered their money and chips and smiled.

  "Look at the chandeliers, Fanny. Who do you suppose cleans all those litde crystal teardrops? I read in the paper that Mrs. Thornton ordered them from Bavaria. She commissioned an artist from New York City to come here and paint all the pictures. She wanted scenes of Las Vegas the way it looked when she arrived, a long time ago. You have to start at the end of the room and work forward so you can see the changes in the town. I bet she has more money than the government."

  "Her taste is exquisite," Fanny said. "I don't think I ever saw so much polished brass and glass in one place."

  "Look at the floor, Fanny. That's Tennessee pink marble. This is one classy operation. I didn't know it was by invitation only, did you? I guess Mrs. Thornton doesn't care if she makes money or not."

  "The place is packed, Bess. That translates into a lot of invitations." Fanny traced her fingers down the length of the linen tablecloth, noting its softness and quahty. The fresh flowers and the smsdl candle in a crystal cup all spoke of money. Lots and lots of money.

  As if by magic, an elaborate dessert was placed in front of the young women. "Pecan Tulle, made on the premises," the soft-spoken waiter said. "The champagne is compliments of Mrs. Thornton."

  "Thank you," Fanny said. She felt out of her depth. Bess felt the same way, she could tell.

  The lights dimmed suddenly in the supper club. A single spotHght fell on the stage as the velvet curtains swished to the sides of the small stage. A magician pulled a parrot from his top hat, a comedian made the audience roar with laughter. Then a young si
nger named Frank Sinatra singing "Night and Day," paved the way for the last act of the evening, SaUie Thornton.

  Sitting three tables to Fanny's left was Devin Rollins, his eyes on the stage.

  Below the stage a small orchestra prepared for a drumroll. The single spotlight held center stage. The curtains swished open again as SaUie Thornton took her place in the Ught, microphone in hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Silver Dollar. I hope you all enjoyed tonight's entertainment." A rousing round of applause sounded.

  "Tonight, Fd like to welcome the aviators from NeUis Air Force Base. Fd also like to welcome a new visitor to Las Vegas, Miss Fanny Logan." The aviators were standing, wide smiles on their faces. Fanny half stood and then sat down, her cheeks flaming. The flyers were staring at her. Two of them winked. One of them mouthed the words, Fll see you later.

  "Fd like to end the evening by singing a request song. This is not just for the aviators present, but for all our sons who are fighting to keep us safe. Fm sure you know the words, so hum along with me. TU Be Seeing You...'"

  She was everything a singer should be, Fanny thought. Her voice was pure and high, the tears in her eyes sparkling in the spothght. The form-fitting silyer lame dress with the sht up the side hugged her lithe body. She was, in Fanny's opinion, Hollywood material. What was she doing in this desert town?

  "How does she do it?" Bess whispered. "She doesn't move a mus-

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  cle, doesn't wave her arms, she just sings. Is that a gorgeous dress or what?"

  Fanny risked a glance at Dedn Rollins, who only had eyes for the woman on the stage.

  When SaUie finished her song, she gave a low sweeping bow, and then backed off the stage. The curtains closed and the househghts came up. When Fanny looked to her left again, Devin Rollins was gone.

  Fanny and Bess rose, as did the other guests, to file out of the supper club. The aaators, as one, converged on the two young women, offering drinks and other lusty things. Behind the stage curtain, Sal-lie whispered, "Ten dollars, Devin, that she doesn't fall for their line. She's a good girl, and she's going to stay a good girl. She isn't going to give them a tumble. Bess will flirt, but she won't go with them either."