Fremont Street Experience

I'm still in Vegas but unlike what happens in Vegas, I'm not going to stay in Vegas. Later today, I'm going to give Southwest Airlines yet another chance to lose my luggage.

Last night, I was wandering through a downtown casino, ably resisting the urge to resume a Blackjack habit I gave up years ago. (Quit while I was ahead and am determined to stay that way the rest of my life.) This was about 2 AM and I strolled near the Sports Book, where ordinarily one sees banks of TV monitors showing football games, horse races, jai alai tournaments from South America, stuff like that. The desk was closed but for some reason, every screen in the place was on and tuned to a replay of the Republican Debate.

About eight people were sitting there, not wagering. Two were asleep. One was eating a McDonald's McSomething. One was yelling at someone on a cell phone. (It's against the law to use a cell phone in a Sports Book area but maybe that's only when it's open for betting.) One was reading and the other three were watching the debate with minimal interest. A cocktail waitress who could have stunt-doubled Rhea Pearlman asked me if I wanted something. Fred Thompson was on the screen so I said, "Is there still time to get a bet down on him?"

She said, "To be President? Don't waste your money, hon. If it were me, I'd bet against all those guys. And all those damn Democrats, too."

Smartest thing I've heard about this election so far.