Page 3 of What Happens in Vegas..
I moved here to rethink my life. In the end, I finished school here, passed the bar, and opened my little law firm. I quickly learned I couldn’t do all charity cases, but I only represent people who I know are innocent. I would never be able to live with myself if I knew that I helped a killer or something worse get off scot-free. I still do pro-bono work several times a year, I’m super selective with those, only wanting to help those who need it more than anything. The rest of my clients pay my bills and I live a comfortable life.
Walking up to the fountain, I stare at the blue water, they don’t have the fountain on right now, it’s a bit early for that. They tend to run it more on the weekends during the day, and then at night on weekdays. Whatever times the tourists will be out the most, and around here, they don’t come around until the sun goes down and things cool off. People who come here from colder states can’t deal with the heat well, heat strokes happen all the time to people around here that push themselves too hard during the day.
Man, Paul would’ve loved this. This year would’ve been twenty years since we started coming here and making this a tradition. Hell, when we came here the first time, he found out he would be a dad two weeks later, with his new girlfriend Tracy. I never had kids or settled down since then. But I was happy he was happy to be a dad. I just wish I knew what happened to his kid. I haven’t seen her since she was two, the last time Paul brought her over to my place. For the life of me, I can’t remember her name. Paul always called her Marshmallow instead of her name, and you can’t look someone up by the nickname their dad gave them.
I’d hoped to be in her life at least a little so that I could keep the memory of her dad alive for her. I frown at my reflection in the water.
Tracy, that bitch, refused to let me see her and then up and disappeared. It took me six years to find her, and she was strung out. I tried to get out of her where Paul’s daughter was, but she wouldn’t tell me. I’ve feared for so long that she sold the poor girl for drugs. I’m afraid I’ll never know.
One of my biggest regrets in life is that I never tried harder after his accident to get his daughter. Maybe I could’ve adopted her after proving Tracy was unfit to be a mother. I doubt her family would’ve been much better. Paul and I grew up in the system together, so I know first-hand what horrors happen to kids who have been forgotten. I’d been so clouded by my grief that I didn’t stop and think about what might’ve happened to her until it was too late.
Turning around I look toward the entrance. I could use a drink, but first I need to check into my room. Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I make my way up the walk and follow the rotating doors inside. I’m greeted by the classic blue, yellow, red, and green ceiling art installation at the center of the entrance full of glass-blown flowers. I never get tired of seeing it, it always makes me feel like I’m coming home.
White marble expands outward, a gold ornate checker design over the top, covering all of the first floor. They have terminals where you can scan a QR code to check-in and get your room card, but I’m old school. I prefer going to the reception.
I look to the left and spot the long expansive gold desk. Back in the day, receptionists covered every few feet of it checking in people. Now, only a couple stand there. I walk over to a brunette with her hair in a french twist and wearing the black button-down with a black vest, a bow tie, and dress pants.
“Hello, and welcome to the Bellagio Resort and Casino. Do you have a reservation?”
I take off my sunglasses and tuck them in the V of my vacation shirt. “Hello, I do. It should be under Knox Cunningham, for the Penthouse suite with the fountain view.”
A genuine smile creeps across her face as she looks me over. She types something into her computer. “Yes, I see you here, you’re staying five nights and six days, correct?”
I nod. “That is correct.”
She looks at me over more, probably calculating how much my net worth is considering I just dropped over four thousand dollars on a hotel room and I’m alone.
She pulls out a card and scans it into her system. “You’ll be on the thirtieth-floor room 30002. And should you need anything the staff is always available.”
I smile and take the card from her.
She leans onto the counter and bats her brown eyes at me. “And I get off at seven tonight, if you would like someone to show you around Las Vegas.”
My smile doesn’t leave my face. “Thank you, but I’ll be with some friends tonight.” That’s a lie, but she doesn’t need to know that I’ve lived here for nearly sixteen years. As far as I’m concerned, while I’m here, I’m a tourist.
Her expression falters. “Well, we could still hang out if you want. I’ll give you my number.”
I step away from the counter. “You’re sweet, but I’m not looking to date anyone right now.”
Giving her a nod, I put my shades back on and head for the gold elevators. I want to put my bag in my room before I start to have some fun. I don’t have much in it that could be stolen, but I also don’t want to lug it around.
I scan my room card to get past the attendant guarding the elevators and push the up button. An elevator opens for me right away. The good thing about coming on a Monday is it tends to be less busy at this time. Stepping inside I scan my card and hit the button for my floor.
Rocking on the balls of my feet, I can’t help but still smile. It was nice to get hit on. It’s been a while. I haven’t gotten out much with work. That being said, she was cute, but I could see her looking at me like a dollar sign and I want a real connection with a woman before I invite her into my bed.
Maybe I’ll try to find someone to have fun with over this week. I hate dating, but if I meet a woman at the bar I have a connection with, I’m not going to say no.
After a few minutes, the doors open onto the floor and I step out into a long hallway. The door in front of me is 30001, so I go left and after a couple of feet make it to my door. I like getting the penthouse with the fountain view for two reasons. One, most people who can afford the room are quiet, and two it allows me to be able to watch the fountain show at night without leaving the comfort of where I’ll be sleeping.
Putting my card up to my door, I wait for the sensor to turn green. Stepping inside, I smile at the spaciousness of it. When Paul, Carson, and I first got a room here, we didn’t have much money to our names. We hadn’t made it big yet and could only afford one of the double queen rooms. And we alternated who got a bed to themselves and who had to share.
I sigh as I walk around the half wall to where the bed is. At the end of it stands a dresser, which I know the tv can raise and lower out of the top of it. Putting my bag on the bed, I go over to the window and look out of it at the fountains and the strip below.
Las Vegas might be full of beige colors during the day, but at night is when this place comes alive and becomes stunning.
“I wish you could see this, Paul. All three of us could have had rooms on this floor at this point. I’m sad you can’t be here with me, you would be so pumped for the tables and getting to hit on the cocktail waitresses, watch them as we give them big tips, and make their night. I still miss you, brother, every Goddamn day. Life doesn’t feel as vibrant without your goofy self to make everyone around you smile.”
Part of me likes to believe that he’s watching over me and his daughter, wherever she is. All I can hope is that she’s happy and healthy. And that her mother didn’t fuck her up so bad that there’s no coming back from it. I really wish I could remember her name, but all that ever comes to mind is Marshmallow.
