The Birth of "THE VEGA$ CLUB"

Keep in mind that my first visit to Las Vegas was in 1982 ( A LONG time ago) and memories are very hazy. As the years progressed, there would be a group of 3-8 friends that would be the basis of "THE VEGA$ CLUB". Back in 1982, however, it was just me and Charley. We met earlier that year working the swing shift at a telephone call center that authorized the use of MasterCards and Visas for merchants, long before the "just swipe the card" machines that are everywhere today. We became fast friends, hanging out after work at 11 p.m. seeking out the local convenience stores that would sell beer to 19 year olds. In June of '82, just a year out of high school in Irvine CA, we decided to take the 5 hour drive to Las Vegas. We both were living at home, and we were both under 21. My parents were on an Alaskan Cruise, and Charley told his parents that he was going to spend the night at my house.

We piled in my 1962 Volkswagen Bug early in the morning, and headed out across the desert. We'd gotten about 20 miles from home, when I saw the sickening sight of a CHP in my rear view mirror with his lights on. The old bug really couldn't do much over 65... 70 on a downgrade, but these were the days of "55 Saves Lives" and the CHP were taking it seriously. I pulled over only to have the cop pull up next to me, and announce something unintelligible over his PA. Then he drove off! "I guess he didn't mean us!" I jubilantly announced to Charley. I carefully pulled back onto the freeway and headed back down the road. My joy was short lived. About 100 yards up the road the officer had pulled someone else over, and was now standing in my lane, pointing me to park behind his cruiser. Yep, he got two speeders in one stop! "I hope this isn't an omen" said Charley. He's always been into omens as you'll find out if you decide to keep reading.

We made it to VEGA$ without further incident. Of course, neither one of us had even considered a room reservation. Certainly with all of those hotels, there'd be a room! We cruised down the strip in awe. This was long before the mega-resorts of today, no Mirage, Treasure Island, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, or Luxor. Just the classy old joints like The Sands, The Dunes, The Tropicana, and of course Caesars! Those places scared us, so we pulled into Circus Circus where the marquee out front (held by an enormous clown) screamed "ROOMS AVAILABLE*" I'd seen their newspaper ads proclaiming ridiculously cheap rooms, and to our 19 year sensibilities, it didn't seem like a bad place. We waited in the lengthy check in line only to find out there was no vacancy! "But the big sign says ROOMS AVAILABLE*" I complained The desk clerk pointed out that this was one of those * occasions. It turns out that next to the * in tiny letters it said, "if not, we'll place you" We let them place us next door at the TraveLodge. We got unpacked and decided to get out there and try our luck! We walked back to the CC and Charley approached a change lady with a $10 bill, looking to buy a roll of quarters. "Sorry" she told him, "You need to be 21 to get change from me. Try going up into the children's arcade". Needless to say we were discouraged. I played the majority of my pocket change in various enticing machines (except for the dimes and pennies, the two most useless coins in Vegas), all the time worrying that if I actually won something, that a crew of security personnel would come rushing out of the garish pink and white decor to check my ID, and relieve me of my winnings. We decided to try someplace LESS classy than Circus Circus! We walked next door to the Slots of Fun!, where there was a man standing on the hot asphalt handing out Slots of Fun coupon books! We began to feel better already! Our first stop was at the gift shop to redeem our coupon for a free gift! We took our Slots of Fun keyrings, and decided to try our luck at Black Jack!

To say we were a tad nervous would be a gross understatement. To this day, my hands tend to shake when I'm in new, or uncomfortable situations. Back then sitting at my first real blackjack table, it must have appeared that I was having some sort of seizure! In my years of going to Vegas, I've made a study of casino personnel, especially dealers, and I've learned (not surprisingly) that the good ones work in the good casinos, and the Slots of Funs of the world are left with 1) very young dealers that are "breaking into" the business or 2) very old dealers that don't quite have the speed and skills required to toss cards at the fancy joints. Our dealer fit into category 2. He gave us an annoyed look, then growled, "Everyone here 21?" Charley and I looked at each other and said, "Yes!" in unison. He took our $20 bills and exchanged them for chips. Again, I was concerned about having my winnings confiscated at the door, but luckily that didn't become a factor, as the casino confiscated my money in the conventional manner.

I don't remember any of the meals on this trip, except that we ate at the McDonald's on the strip, near Circus Circus, and we were mightily impressed that they were open 24 hours a day, AND the golden arches sign out front paid proud tribute to the city, in glorious neon and flashing lights.

That was about the extent of the excitement for the trip. But for two sheltered kids from Irvine, it was a great adventure, and was the beginning of a lifelong friendship, and a prelude to many more trips across the desert.

In the next installment... Hank and Charley meet Roger!