We were Vegas bound, some weeks after listening to some sweaty guy trying to sell us and a dozen more couples Time-Share units. l can not speak for the rest but there was no way we were going to sign on, just interested in the free trip offered as we were young and broke.
My husband always drove and after working all week the five-hour trip all but wiped him out. By the time we got to our room he was wrecked and wanted nothing but sleep. Being the great guy he is he told me to have a good time while handing me a hundred-dollar bill. And that we would hit the town together the following day.
l made my way downstairs with zero ideas of what to do, his giving me money like that never crossed my mind plus l surely was the follower in our marriage. The one thing l figured out was l would not blow this money, not all of it as that was a day pay for him back then and he worked hard for it.
Looking around I spotted the penny slots, those seemed harmless enough meaning l could not lose much, and hell I might even win. A woman about my age came up behind me and asked "would you like a drink" my heart fluttered (here we go) l had heard of stories from friends that all things could happen in Vegas but after turning around it was apparent she was a barmaid.
I said to her, sure I'll take a Rum & Coke.
"you got it" was her reply back.
When she came back with it she leaned against the machine next to me adding "one more hour of the shit and l can go home"
l Felt sorry for her so l offered something that l hoped would cheer her up. "Rough gig but you look so good doing it" She smiled and thanked me, then went on her way.
I played for a few minutes longer but to be honest l was just feeding the machine, my mind set on that Cocktail Waitress. How great would it be to invite her back to our room to wake my husband up for a midnight snack, l thought many times about him with another woman, he was a master at his craft so l wanted to see it from a different perspective. In the mood, l went looking for her and the spot that made the most sense to start from was the bar itself.
I leaned in between two guys and then got the bartender's attention "I'm looking for one of your waitresses, about so tall and long curly brown hair like mine.
The bartender told me that's June, and that she just left. In my head l said crap, there goes those plans and l was about to leave when one of those guys grabbed me by the arm.
"Hey, where you going Sugarlips?"
Nowhere with you Jackass. And with that l pulled me free from his grip and make my way for the exit. Just about free from the place a woman asked me if l was okay, she was with a man whom I found out was her husband. After telling her l was fine they asked me to join them, seeing more gambling no longer interested me l took them up on their invitation.