Viva Las Vegas

Part 2

Roy and Hank reminisced about the show the night before.

“You know, I could sit through that show every night,” Hank said. “I wonder what the odds are of Kelly getting us more free tickets.”

Roy looked over in surprise, only to see the captain grin. “Just kidding. I’d rather the rest of the weekend be uneventful in that area.”

A knock at the door had Hank on his feet to greet the others.

E!E!E!

The men were enjoying pancakes, sausage, eggs, and bacon for breakfast, along with milk for a beverage. They’d found an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for the cost of just two dollars each.

“Man, too bad you can’t find this good of food this cheap in Carson,” Johnny commented.

The others agreed.

“They’ve probably gotta make it inexpensive so the gamblers who lose can still survive here ‘till they’re pockets are empty,” Mike said with a grin.

“Speaking of which, anyone for some early gambling?” Hank wondered.

“I think I’m going to relax by the pool,” Marco said.

“He was up late last night talking to his mom.” When the others looked over in question, Mike elaborated, “Charo.”

“I think I’ll hit the souvenir shops,” Roy put in. Hank and Mike agreed to that idea. They all looked to Chet and Johnny.

Chet shrugged. He didn’t want to mention Kelly or Big Red and jinx himself. “I. . .uh. . .I think I’ll just relax by the pool too.” And look at the chicks.

Johnny gave a quick grin. “I’ll be around. I’ll look for you guys later this afternoon.”

After an hour at breakfast, the men split up to start with their plans.

E!E!E!

Johnny watched some gamblers and played a couple of slot machines while he waited to meet up with Katie. He was winning on the nickel slots, which worried him a bit. If Chet’s theory ‘lucky in winning, unlucky in love’ ever fell into place, his chances with Katie were doomed.

A few minutes before eleven, he saw her come into the casino. The two smiled and waved to one another.

“You ready?” she asked as Johnny approached.

“Show me the way,” he said, still grinning. The two almost held hands, but caught themselves and walked side-by-side.

 

E!E!E!

Marco and Chet watched young women around the pool in bikinis; so far most seemed to have boyfriends or husbands.

“We’re never going to win that bet against Johnny,” Marco said.

“Oh, I don’t know. You don’t see him with a date, do you?”

“I don’t even see him at all.”

Chet frowned. “Good point. Just hang in their, Marco. I have a feeling things are going to get better out here.”

Marco looked at his friend with the slightly swollen jaw. He wasn’t so sure Chet was the best person’s judgment to rely on.

E!E!E!

Hank, Roy and Mike were enjoying a leisurely morning, checking out the various shops on the strip. There were plenty of souvenirs to choose from. Roy could’ve taken care of his family in just one stop. But the men continued on, figuring they could switch to gambling after lunch.

E!E!E!

“Strike!” Johnny smiled as he got his second strike of the game. Katie was proving to be a good match, as she had also thrown two strikes.

She marked his score and got up to take her turn when a yell was heard from the next lane over. Johnny looked toward the sound and followed the gazes of others. A man was stuck at his waist under the pin rack at the end of the lane.

“What the. . .?”

“Raise the rack!” A woman screamed. “Get it up!”

An employee at the bowling center came running out from behind where the pins were set at the end of each alley.

“Get it up!” The woman yelled again.

The employee and others who worked there rushed past her. “We can’t, it’s stuck,” one anxiously explained.

“I’ll be right back,” Johnny said to Katie.

She nodded and stood watching as Johnny rushed to join the others.

“I’m a paramedic,” he said as he approached them. They let him through to the man. “Sir can you breathe?” he asked as he eyed the contraption.

“Yeah. . .” came a voice from behind the stuck rack. “A little hard to. . .but I . . .I can. . .but. . . I can’t. . .can’t move. And. . .I’m. . .claustrophobic. . .get. . .me . . .outta here.”

The man was starting to hyperventilate due to his fear.

“Did anyone call the fire department?” Johnny wondered.

“They’re on the way,” one employee informed.

“Good.” He turned his attention back to the man. “Sir, help’s on the way. Just try to stay calm.”

“You. . .you lay. . . under one. . .of these. . .and stay. . .stay calm.”

“I think I’ll pass on that.”

Johnny stayed with the man to help keep him from going into a full panic, checking his pulse and respirations as well. Soon the fire department arrived and devised a rescue plan. Johnny helped where he could while Katie and the other patrons watched with concern and interest. Within ten minutes, the man was freed.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Johnny asked him.

“Yeah, damn. . . racks. They could. . . kill a guy.”

“What were you doing there in the first place?” one of the firemen asked.

“My bowling ball. . . got stuck,” he answered, still trying to catch his breath. “I thought. . . the whole machine was jammed. . . and I’d have time to get it. . . or push it through. . . I guess. . . I was wrong. I had a strike, too. . . damn it.”

The firemen glanced at Johnny and shook their heads. Gage was sure they must get a lot of crazy calls with all the different types who visited their city. If he hadn’t been with Katie, he would’ve loved to swap a few stories. But that idea passed and he rejoined his date after he and the other firemen suggested the victim see a doctor if any problems from the ordeal came about later.

E!E!E!

Hank, Roy and Mike headed back to the Golden Nugget carrying just a few souvenir bags filled with postcards. Roy still hadn’t found just the right thing to get for Joanne. Mike was in the same boat. Hank, on the other hand, had discovered a small crystal car that looked exactly like his wife’s Edsel. He planned to buy it on their last day in Las Vegas.

They were constantly having flyers shoved at them, flyers that advertised all the delights of Las Vegas: strip clubs, slot tournaments, helicopter tours, and food specials. Unwilling to litter, they carried the papers until they came to a trash can.

“I hope Chet managed to stay out of trouble,” Stanley fretted.

Mike smiled. “He and Marco are at the pool. Even if there was any trouble to be found there, Marco would keep him in line.”

“He’s never been able to in the past,” Stanley observed. “Roy, where was John going?”

“I don’t really know, but I’d be willing to bet that where ever he might be, his new lady is with him.”

“Lady? Johnny already found a new girlfriend?” Mike stopped short. “When did this happen?”

“Last night, before Chet got slugged. All I really know is that she’s very different than Johnny’s usual crush.”

“Huh. How about that. This one must be special.”

“Why, Mike?” Roy was puzzled.

“The guys kinda,” he eyed his Captain, hesitant about revealing the bet.

“Go ahead, Michael. I’ll leave whatever happens here in Las Vegas. If possible.”

“Chet had this idea to bet Marco and Johnny on who could get a girl first,” Mike explained. “That’s why I was surprised Johnny hadn’t said anything.”

Roy shook his head in resignation. “Figures Chet would come up with something like this.”

“Johnny has him, so why hasn’t he said anything?”

“Roy and I think Johnny is really taken with this one,” Stanley replied, slowing as they approached the busy entryway into the Golden Nugget. “He probably doesn’t want to use this relationship to get one over on Chet, even to win a bet.”

Mike reached forward to open the door for two young women who were exiting. He smiled shyly as they flirtatiously brushed by him. When he failed to respond other than sucking in his breath, they both sighed lustily and walked on.

Roy and Hank chuckled. “You’re still a lady killer, Mike,” Roy commented.

This only caused Station 51’s engineer to turn bright red. His drop dead gorgeous looks had been more curse than gift, but had been of great use before he fell in love with the woman who became his wife. Need to soften up a female store employee? Send Stoker in. The woman, young or old, would melt. Guaranteed.

Once inside the air conditioned casino, the men realized just how hot it was becoming out in the sunny streets of downtown Las Vegas.

“What now, gentlemen?”

“I’m going to the sports lounge, Cap. I can watch some games and bet a little money, maybe have a beer,” Mike replied. With a new baby in the house, he couldn’t afford to go crazy with his meager amount of spending money. Thanks to his modest poker winnings, he had a slightly fatter bankroll than when he started.

“I think I’ll go check this out.” Roy held up a flyer he hadn’t thrown away. According to this, the Golden Nugget offers guided bus tours of Hoover Dam. I thought I might sign up for tomorrow. What about it? Want to join me?”

Mike read the flyer, nodding. “Yeah, count me in.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out money for the tour fee.

“Sounds interesting, Roy. Let’s check with Marco and Chet, see if they might want to come.”

Roy and Cap strolled to the pool while Mike headed for the sports lounge. But it wasn’t long before the engineer grew bored and decided to wander toward the pool area to see what the others were up to.

E!E!E!

As the morning moved on, the temperature began to rise in the pool area. Marco made frequent trips to the shimmering blue water, enjoying how the liquid helped relieve the heat.

Chet refused to go in, not wanting to get his hair and moustache wet. “I’m not gonna pick up any chicks looking like a drowned rat,” he told Marco.

Marco, used to his friend’s peculiarities, just shook his head and continued alternating lounging on the webbed chair and taking refreshing dips in the pool.

The Hispanic fireman had no idea how good he looked when he would lever himself out of the pool, his burnished muscled body glistening in the sun. He was catching many a female’s eye, although none had approached him as yet.

“Another towel, sir?”

Marco looked up at the owner of the voice and was immediately smitten. The young pool attendant was a classic beauty, her dusky skin glowing with health. “Yes, thank you.”

Their fingers brushed as the towel changed hands. Their brown eyes met and Marco promptly lost interest in girl watching. The only girl he‘d be watching in the future was standing in front of him.

“Hello,” he said quietly. “My name is Marco. What’s yours?”

“Consuela.”

“Would you like to go to dinner tonight?” Marco blurted out.

Consuela looked down, then up at him through her eyelashes. She nodded. “Yes, that would be nice. If we could stay here to eat.” She shrugged. “I don’t know you.”

Marco’s white teeth flashed as he grinned. “Of course. Wherever you feel most comfortable.”

“I get off work at four. Why don’t I meet you in the lobby reception area at six? That will give me time to go home and change.”

Marco was agreeable. They parted reluctantly as Consuela had to return to her work. The firefighter expected to hear from Chet about the encounter but when he turned to face his friend, he found Chet eyeing a well-endowed young woman testing the temperature of the pool with her toe.

“Help! Help us!”

Marco and Chet quickly turned to the source of the screams. A young girl was struggling to keep a younger boy’s head above the bubbling water of the Jacuzzi.

“Here we go again,” Chet muttered as he jumped over the lounge chair to follow Marco.

Marco dropped into the hot water while Chet helped with keeping the victim’s head above the water.

“What happened?” Chet asked.

“Billy, that’s my brother, got his toe caught in the vent. The one at the bottom.”

“Consuela!” Marco shouted. “Find the emergency shut off, then get us some help.”

Her long brown hair flared behind her as Consuela raced to the control boxes. Soon the turbulent water died down and the suction ceased. Marco worked slowly and carefully to release Billy’s toe, succeeding just as help arrived, two firefighters on vacation and the casino security staff.

Billy was coughing uncontrollably, having swallowed large quantities of the mildly scented water. Roy knelt next to him as Marco helped remove the boy from the water. Consuela handed the two men towels while Chet explained to security what happened. Captain Stanley helped keep the growing crowd of onlookers from getting too close until security took over.

Consuela now was hugging Billy’s sister from behind, reassuring the girl of her brother’s well-being. “See, Marco and his friends are taking good care of Billy. We should tell your parents, don’t you think?”

“Oh, no, they’re gonna kill me,” the girl wailed.

Consuela exchanged warm glances with Marco, then she worked on getting personal information from the girl. Marco looked on with a besotted grin.

Mike missed the action, but had gotten there just in time to catch the exchange between the couple and nudged his captain, nodding toward the mustached man.

Hank couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his face. “Looks like we have another victim of cupid’s arrow.”

“And from the look of things, Chet is once again oblivious,” Mike commented.

The firefighter in question was still speaking to security when he caught a glimpse of a familiar statuesque red-head from the corner of his eye. Unable to get away immediately, Chet was too late to catch the woman he believed was Big Red.

With a deep sigh, Chet turned back to join the others. Billy was no longer coughing and was chattering away to Roy about his experience.

Max Delacorte appeared, shaking his head but smiling. “Gentlemen, we have to stop meeting like this.”

The crew of Station 51 laughed. Hank shrugged. “It is rather a busman’s holiday for us, but I’m glad my men could help.”

Laurie, Billy’s sister, was now feeling happier since her mother had arrived with no reproaching words. “They were wonderful!”

“What did you do now, Chet?” The last member of A-shift had arrived to join the party.

E!E!E!

Johnny and Katie had continued bowling, filling six more lines on the score sheet before deciding to quit. They were pretty evenly matched in ability. However, after they were finished, Johnny was one game ahead.

“I let you win to keep from bruising your ego, John Gage,” chortled Katie.

He refused to admit his win was anything other than superior skill. Turning his bowling shoes in, Johnny retrieved his own right shoe, kept as hostage to guarantee the return of the center’s shoes. “I still can’t believe anyone would steal bowling shoes.”

“They’re comfortable and the price is right,” Katie said. “Free. You just wait. Before you know it, all the centers will be demanding a shoe in exchange.”

“I’d have won more if I had my own bowling ball and shoes.”

“Uh huh.”

“I would’ve!”

“Sure, Johnny. Just keep telling yourself that.”

He threw his arm around the giggling woman’s shoulder as they strolled down the length of the lanes. “Buy you a soft drink?”

“That sounds wonderful.”

“Katie!” The counter attendant called to Johnny’s date, waving a phone receiver in the air. “Phone call for you. It’s Don.”

Johnny was puzzled when Kate stopped, hanging her head. “What’s wrong?”

“That’s my relief manager. He’s very competent so if he’s been calling around looking for me, I know there’s trouble.”

“The only way to find out what’s wrong is to answer it.”

Johnny waited and watched a family with young children rolling balls down the lane. There were long pillowed barriers laid in the gutters, or side boards as Katie called them. He grinned as the ball would bounce against one side, then the other as it made its way slowly down the lane. A lifetime later, the ball made it to the pins, knocking three down slowly. The little five year old was jumping up and down with delight.

“Johnny?”

He turned to face Kate whose face was not that of a happy woman. “What’s the matter, honey?”

“Don’s wife has gone into labor, so I have to work his shift this afternoon and evening. I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, it’s okay. These things happen. You have to go in now?”

“Yeah, he’s taking off for the hospital right away. I thought I’d have the day free.”

Johnny shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. Will you be off tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’ll have the whole day off, so we can do whatever you want.” She scribbled down a phone number on the back of a league flyer. “Call me if you want to make any plans or just to talk.”

“Let me walk you to your car. And as to calling, well, you know where I am.” He proceeded to give Kate his room number.

At the car, Johnny opened the vehicle’s door, leaning against the top. “I had fun.”

“So did I.”

Johnny leaned down slowly, giving Katie plenty of time to move away. When she didn’t do anything but lift her face to him, he gently kissed her, first at the corner of her mouth, then full on the lips. He felt her hand on his cheek, caressing. When he finally pulled back, Johnny had to swallow deeply. “D-drive carefully. Please.”

“I will.” She settled into the car seat, bemused by the wealth of emotion flowing through her due to a simple kiss.

He stood there watching as she drove off before he began the walk back to the Golden Nugget.

Knowing that Marco wanted to spend time at the pool, he headed there first. He never expected to see the whole gang there in a crowd along with bystanders and security personnel. Once he determined that his coworkers were safe, he moved closer. “What did you do now, Chet?”

E!E!E!

“I can’t believe you thought I got into trouble again,” Chet said after he and the others explained to Johnny what had transpired. “Besides, I’ve helped save two lives in two days already. And I’m not even a paramedic. What’ve you done? Come to think of it,” he added, “What have you been doing? Aside from when we’ve been in the room or at the show last night, I don’t remember seeing you around much.”

“I helped get a man out from under a bowling pin rack not too long ago. Other than that, just hanging out like everyone else,” he shrugged.

“A bowling pin rack?” Mike asked.

“He’s making that up,” Chet threw in dryly. “How is a guy gonna get stuck under a pin rack?”

“His bowling ball was stuck and he tried to get it out,” Johnny said matter of fact with a shrug.

The curly-haired fireman gave it some thought for a few seconds, then shook his head. “Nah, I’m not buying it. I still say you’re making it up. Why in the heck would you go bowling in Vegas when you can do it anytime at home? C’mon, where have you really been?”

Hank stepped forward to save the younger paramedic from having to explain anything. “There’s a big difference between bowling in Carson and Vegas, Chet. The stakes can be a lot higher here if a person hooks up with the right players. . .and we all know there’re plenty of gamblers here.”

“I’m sure there’s stranger bets going on around this place,” Roy offered.

Chet eyed him, wondering just what he meant by that, but shrugged it off. “Okay, okay. . .I’ve got other things to worry about anyway.” He looked off in the direction the red-head had gone.

Marco was just as quiet as he thought about the bet between he, Johnny and Chet. He knew he could win as soon as he was through with his date with Consuela. But somehow it didn’t seem right to collect on a bet. He already liked her too much to use her for that. His eyes never leaving her, he continued to smile as she returned one of her own and waved, continuing on with her work.

Nope, he’d rather lose the bet to one of the others than to use her to win any money.

E!E!E!

While all the others decided to stay or join in relaxing at the pool after getting their swim trunks, Johnny went with Roy to pay for the tour some would be going on the next day. Marco opted out, hoping Consuela would be around the pool again and Chet declined, hoping he’d track down Big Red before then and have his day filled.

Roy offered to take the others’ money and get the tickets they needed, allowing Captain Stanley and Mike some time to kick back in the sun and water.

“So, where’s this girl you’re interested in?” Roy asked Johnny as they walked across the casino.

“Huh?”

“Your bowling partner. Where is she?”

“Oh. She. . .uh. . .she had to go to work. Her . . .uh. . .one of the other employees had to rush to the hospital with his wife. . .she was having a baby. So Ka. . .uh, so she had to leave to fill in for him.” He looked at Roy’s smiling face. “How’d you know?”

“I saw you two yesterday, after we got the mess straightened out with Chet and the security guys.”

“Oh.” A sudden alarm registered on Johnny’s face and he grabbed Roy’s upper right arm, stopping him. “You didn’t tell the others, did ya?”

“Relax. I know better than that. . .” then he remembered he’d told Mike and Hank. “Sort of.”

“Sort of? Oh, Roy,” Johnny groaned. “Who’dya tell?”

“Just Cap and Mike.”

“That’s more than half of us that know now.”

“Yeah, but you’ve gotta look at it from the right perspective.”

“And that is . . .?”

“It’s the right more than half who knows.”

The younger man gave it thought and relaxed. “You’re right.” The two started on their way again. “Man, you should meet Katie. She’s perfect. She even manages a bowling al—center,” he said with a grin.

“So I take it you won’t be going on this tour tomorrow.”

“No, Katie’s supposed to be off. I’m gonna spend it getting to know her better.”

“And then what?” Roy asked as they reached the window that sold tour tickets.

“Whataya mean?”

“Three adults for Hoover Dam for tomorrow,” he said to the clerk. As she got them ready, he looked at Johnny. “You don’t live here and she does.”

“Oh. . .that. Yeah, well. . .I guess we either make the most of what time we have together and end it, or we run up our phone bills keeping’ in touch.”

“Long distance relationships are hard to maintain.”

Johnny frowned while Roy paid for the tickets.

When the transaction was complete, they headed back across the casino.

“Why’d you hafta bring up the bad side to all this?” Gage asked.

“Because I don’t want to see you devastated on the day we go back. This way, you’ll have time to prepare yourself and think it out. Maybe talk it out with her.”

“What’s there to say about it? I don’t wanna move here and I doubt she wants to move to LA or Carson after knowing each other a mere few hours.”

“No, but talking about it will get you both thinking on it more. Then later, if you stay in touch, maybe you’ll both know what you want.”

Johnny gave it thought a moment. “Maybe. You know, you should go into the game show market as a host on one of those dating games.”

Roy shook his head. “I just know you too well. I’d probably screw up a few lives giving advice to strangers.”

Johnny didn’t reply, but kept quiet as he thought about how fast time was probably going to fly the next day now that he wanted it to stand still.


 

E!E!E!

Chet was getting frustrated.  Unable to spot the focus of his hunt, he decided to go up to his room and get changed.  Then it would be another foray at the craps table.  His luck had to change!

After a quick shower to rinse the sweat and suntan lotion off his body, Chet headed back down to the casino floor.  It was his time, he could feel it!

An hour later found Chet grumbling, ready to toss the craps guidebook into the trash.  Even the tried and true safe bets were against him.  Pulling back, he prepared to fling the dice one more time.  He watched them tumble down the felt before hitting the back board and bouncing to the middle of the playing field.  Chet stared in shock.  He had won!

E!E!E!

“Gentlemen, two free dinners were included with our prize, one for DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant and one for Moby Dick’s Seafood.  Which do you want to go to tonight?” Captain Stanley’s dislike for fish, live, dead or cooked, was well known at the station.  His moue of distaste when mentioning caused some smiles among his men.

“I don’t know, Cap,” Roy teased.  “A fried flounder might be nice.”

“Yeah,” Johnny chimed in.  “They probably have some great mountain trout at Moby Dick’s.”

“Sure,” Marco chimed in.  “With the heads on and those beautiful jelly eyes staring at you.”

Hank’s increasing discomfort finally broke up his crew.  Once the laughter died, Roy told him that DaVinci’s would be fine.  Mike quickly agreed.

“I won’t be joining you, Cap.”

“No?”

“No, sir.”  Marco smiled shyly.  “I have a date.  We’re meeting in a few minutes.”

Johnny grinned.  “Way to go, Marc!”

“Well, we’ll miss you, pal.  Although I doubt if you’ll miss us,” Captain Stanley commented. 

“We need to get Chet,” Johnny commented.

“Has anyone seen him?”

“Craps, Cap.  He was going at it hot and heavy when I saw him earlier.”

“Thanks, Marco.  Let’s go get him and have some dinner.”  The crew, sans Marco Lopez, headed for the craps table to corral their missing member.

E!E!E!

“But, Cap, I’m hitting my stride here.  I can’t stop for dinner!”

Hank shook his head.  “Okay, that’s your choice, Kelly, but if you keep playing, you’ll miss a free meal.”

That caused Chet to rethink his decision.  “Can’t I get it later?”

“Nope.  Now or never.”

Johnny couldn’t resist goading his nemesis.  “Chester B. turning down free food?  I can’t believe it.”

As much as Chet wanted to keep playing and ride his winning streak to the end, he was hungry.  The idea of a hearty Italian dinner was just too tempting.  He turned to the table and checked his chips.  “Okay, I’ll come.”  He stuffed his winnings in his pocket and turned to join his coworkers.

E!E!E!

Dinner had been a rousing success.  All the men were stuffed, some of them uncomfortably so.  Johnny and Mike were the only ones to get dessert, the others settling for coffee.  Mike ordered a pony of Sambuca which he poured slowly into his mug.

Curious, Roy looked at the small glass of thick clear liqueur.  “What’s that taste like?”

“Anise.  Here, try a sip.” Mike said, handing the glass to him.  “Slowly.  A very small sip.”

Roy obeyed, then blew out his breath.  “Strong.  It’s like liquid fire.”

“Actually, that’s a good description.  The traditional way to drink it is to chew two coffee beans, set the Sambuca on fire, put it out and then drink it.”  Mike smiled.  “I had a buddy in college who would put it in his mouth, carefully not spilling any on his lips.  He’d tilt his head back with his mouth wide open and light it with a match.  Then he’d close his mouth, swish it around a little and swallow.  Used to be a big hit at parties.”

“I bet it was.  Kinda stupid though,” Johnny said through a mouthful of cake.

“What’s it made from?  Anise seeds?”

“Actually, I think it’s made from elder bush and licorice, Cap.  My grandfather used to drink it.”

Roy blinked, still feeling the warmth deep in his belly.  “That’s some good stuff.”

Johnny giggled.  “Man, Roy, are you smashed?  From one sip?”

Affronted by the attack on his ability to hold his liquor, Roy glared at his partner.  “I am not drunk. I was just making an observation.”

“Uh huh.  Okay, if you say so.”

The indigent look on Roy’s face as well as Johnny’s pseudo-angelic smile set the crew off.  Their laughter filled the restaurant, earning smiles from the other patrons.

“What’s everyone doing tonight?” Hank asked once the mirth died down.

“Gambling!”

The chorus started the laughter again.  It was with high spirits that they left the restaurant to disperse to their chosen games of chance.

Hank and Mike chose sports betting, a slower form of gambling if the player bet only on the games they were watching.  Chet headed back to his craps table, praying that his luck hadn’t changed.  Roy agreed to accompany Johnny to the blackjack tables.

E!E!E!

“Michael, you’re a wonder.  How do you keep all those spreads in your head?”

The engineer shrugged.  “I don’t know, Cap.  It’s just like working the engine’s controls to me.  I’ve always been good with numbers.”

“You could rival Roy’s luck at horse racing.”

“Let’s not tell Johnny or Chet, okay?”

The captain chuckled, well aware that if the Terrible Two knew Mike had a knack for picking football winners, they’d have a Get Rich scheme in minutes.  “What will you do with your windfall?”

The engineer grinned.  “Becky and I have been looking at this combination changing table and dresser.  When the baby outgrows it, the changing part can be removed, leaving a nice chest to store the kid’s clothes.  This is almost half of what I need.  If I can keep going at the same rate, I’ll be able to buy it without doing any overtime.”

E!E!E!

“It’s really simple, Roy,” Johnny explained as he and Roy took a seat at a blackjack table.  “It’s called progressive betting.  Every time you win, you put half your winnings up as a stake for the next hand, leaving your original amount.  If you keep winning, your bet amount steadily increases.  You can stop whenever you get too uncomfortable with the amount.”  He chuckled.  “It doesn’t take me long.  I usually stop when my bet reaches about twenty-five bucks.”

“What if you lose?”

“You go back to your original bet.  And you have to put a limit on how many hands in a row you’re willing to lose.  Once you reach it, you walk away.”

“What’s your limit?”  Roy found his partner’s strategy fascinating.

“Three hands.  If I can’t get at least a push, I’ll go to another table or do something else.”

“How many tables have you been to?”

“Just one.  This is the same table as yesterday.  Just a different dealer,” Johnny replied.  “Of course, I have to admit that most of the time, I was with Katie.”

Roy started to venture a bet, doing the table minimum of three dollars.  “I don’t know if I can do the progressive thing, but let’s see if I can win something.”

E!E!E!

Marco and Consuela were also in the casino, strolling around after a light dinner at the French restaurant just outside the Golden Nugget.  Marco was playing the one-armed bandits while Consuela watched.  As an employee, she wasn’t allowed to gamble in the Golden Nugget.   His luck with the slot machines had been sporadic at best, so he moved on to the new video poker machines.  It took him a while to get the hang of it, but he soon began to keep even with some good wins.  The cocktail waitress had been by to take his order twice since he had sat down.  Marco decided to stick with coffee or soft drinks to avoid blurring his thought processes.  Consuela applauded when Marco had a good hand.  In between, they spoke of their lives and their work.

He chased the mother of hands, the Royal Flush, but a straight had been the closest he could come.  The tray below the machine was filled with nickels and his fingers were fast becoming black, but the Hispanic firefighter was enjoying the contest against the machine almost as much as he was enjoying the company.

E!E!E!

Chet had resumed his roll at craps, managing to win a few rounds, but not doing as well as he had been before the dinner break.  “I knew it.  My streak’s been broken.” 

While he concentrated on the game, he never stopped looking for the woman that had always fascinated him, the dancer he had met while on a medical call with the squad.  Statuesque, beautiful and earthy, Big Red had cut him from the herd of firefighters, not even looking interested in any of the other members of Station 51.

They had dated a few times, but nothing steady.  Their respective work schedules had made it difficult to meet up.  Chet wondered if she was really here or if he was imagining things. 

E!E!E!

 Roy grinned at his disbelieving friend as he began to rack up winnings. At first Johnny had been very supportive and encouraging, patting Roy on the back when the older man won; Gage was enjoying his friend’s success. But as Roy kept winning and he started to lose, his expression turned to one of bafflement.

“Man, I suggested this. How come you’re doin’ all the winning?”

Roy shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m glad. I can use the extra money to spend on Jo and the kids.”

“But you’re already up to nearly thirty dollars. When are ya gonna quit?”

“Forty.”

“Roy! You can’t be serious.”

“Why not?” the blond man asked as his winnings increased once again.

“Why not? Why not?” Johnny repeated.

Roy nodded. “Yeah, why not?”

“Because, I’m ready to move to another table; I thought we were a team. . .sort of,” he shrugged.

“We are, but I’m winning here.”

“And I’m not. You’re certainly no ‘Katie’,” Johnny sighed.

Roy had to grin as he placed another bet. “I hope not.”

Just then he lost his money. This time Roy had the look of disbelief, while Johnny couldn’t help but grin slightly. Not that he was happy his partner had lost. But now there was a chance they’d be moving to a new table.

E!E!E!

Mike was happy with his winnings and quit when he had enough for the changing table combo he and his wife wanted.

“Aren’t you going to go for more?” the captain asked.

“No, I don’t wanna get greedy. I’ve seen that on game shows on TV too often and I always tell the contestants they should have quit while they were ahead. Well, as much as a person can advise a contestant on TV,” he added when Hank raised his eyebrows in question.

Happy with what he’d won, the captain stopped as well. “Whataya say we see how the others are fairing?”

Mike shrugged. “Sure.”

The two wandered off in search of their traveling companions.

E!E!E!

Chet had counted himself a loser once again when suddenly his luck seemed to have changed once again in one area. It was bouncing buxom Kelly back to betting at a table nearby. And she appeared to be alone.

Hey, she’s no Big Red, but she’s big where it counts, Chet thought to himself. He shook his head when she won. I swear one day she’s gonna knock herself out.

He started over to congratulate her and get a conversation going again when a woman standing beside a nearby table dropped to the floor in a heap.

Chet looked up at the ceiling, his arms open wide. “You just don’t want me to go home a winner in anything now, do you? All I did was stop to have one free dinner. A guy has to eat. . .” He then sighed and hurried over to see if he could be of any help, all the while glancing around for a sign of Johnny and Roy.

E!E!E!

After winning enough to make himself happy for awhile, Marco took Consuela for a walk along the strip. The two held hands as they enjoyed the bright lights of the other casinos. Though they were both quite used to the scene, somehow having someone new to share it with made it seem almost magical.

Marco sighed inwardly.

I wish we both lived near LA.

E!E!E!

Johnny and Roy were heading over to a third table after leaving two that didn’t work out for them when they heard a commotion and saw a crowd gathering nearby.

“I wonder if someone won a huge amount. . .” Johnny commented.

“Could be.”

Not able to see over the people in front of them, they had settled for missing out when they heard someone mention calling an ambulance. The two paramedics looked at one another, then carefully pushed their way through the crowd.

“Excuse us,” Roy commented. “But we’re paramedics.”

When they emerged at the center, they found Chet kneeling on the floor beside a woman in her late forties who was being propped up by one of the cocktail waitresses.

Johnny and Roy immediately went into their paramedic mode.

“What happened?” Gage asked as he knelt down near the others.

“She fainted,” Chet explained.

“I. . .I just got . . .a little excited. . .when I . . .I won,” the woman commented breathlessly, fanning herself.

Roy was still standing and put up his hands in front of himself, motioning for the others surrounding them to move.

“Folks, how about you take a few steps back and give her some breathing room.”

The crowd did as suggested, some leaving after seeing that the woman was apparently doing better. When the area cleared, a late arriving Hank Stanley and Mike Stoker were able to see that it was their shiftmates who were amongst the center of attention.

“What happened?” the captain asked.

“She got excited when she won a hand of blackjack and passed out,” Chet explained. “John and Roy got here just as she was recovering, an ambulance is on the way though.”

“I don’t think. . .I need one. . .” the woman stated.

Johnny shook his head. “It’s probably better you let someone check you out more thoroughly, ma’am.”

“Honey, you can check me out anytime,” she commented with a wink and a smile.

Gage couldn’t hide the slight blush to his cheeks. “Uh. . .” he got to his feet, “Someone with medical supplies,” he clarified.

Mike shook his head as he eyed Chet, who was still squatting down near the lady.

“How come everything seems to happen when you’re around?”

Johnny nodded in agreement. “Hey, that’s right. You guys oughta be glad he’s not going on the tour tomorrow.”

“Hey, what about you?” Chet wondered, standing as well since the woman was doing better on her own. “Weren’t you at a bowling alley when some guy got stuck?”

“Yeah, but I’m willing to bet somehow your non-luck is involved in any of mine.”

“How much?”

“What?” Johnny sighed. “That was just a phrase, Chet. I don’t actually wanna bet.”

Roy and the others just smiled at one another, very much used to the exchanges between the two. They stepped back as the ambulance attendants arrived, glad to once again be spectators on vacation with another day of relaxation and recreation to look forward to. Though neither said it to one another, Johnny and Chet were each looking forward to their chance with the opposite sex the next day; Johnny’s a guarantee, Chet hopeful he’d see Big Red since bouncing Kelly had once again disappeared.

 

E!E!E!

A gentle tap on the hotel room door caught Mike’s attention.  He placed the book he had been reading on the table, a casino brochure used as a bookmark.

He glanced at a soundly sleeping Marco as he crossed the room.  Mike quietly slipped the chain off, opening the door to discover Roy and Hank standing outside.

“Ready to get some breakfast?” Hank asked.

“We’ve got about two hours until the tour bus leaves,” Roy added.

“Sounds good.  Should I wake Sleeping Beauty?” Stoker asked.

Stanley shook his head.  “Let him sleep.  Marco’s staying here, so there’s no real need for him to get up early.”

Mike pulled the door securely closed and joined the other two men as they walked to the elevator.

“Hey!  Hold up, guys.”

Roy jammed his finger on the ‘door open’ button on the elevator panel.  His partner, a big grin on his face, slipped into the elevator.

“Little early for the tour, guys.  Where are you going?” Johnny asked.

“As if you don’t know.  Breakfast.  Care to join us?”  Roy exchanged amused smiles with his captain.

Johnny rubbed his hands together.  “Yum.  Sure.”

“Where’s Chet?  Still sleeping?” Mike asked.

“Nah.  I’m not even sure he made it to bed last night.  We went up when, Roy?  About midnight?”

Roy nodded.  “That sounds right.  It was after the band finished playing in the lounge.”

“Chet wasn’t there when I went into our room.  And he wasn’t there when I got up this morning.  Since we all fix our bedcovers as habit, I couldn’t tell if he had slept there or not.”

The elevator door opened onto the main floor, much noisier and filled with night owls and early birds, all devotedly gambling.  The four men sauntered through the casino floor, looking about in amazement. 

“This place really never does close, no matter what time of the day or night.”  Johnny shook his head.  “I mean, I enjoy a little gaming, but there’s so much more to see in Las Vegas than the inside of the casinos.”

“It gets a little old after a while,” Mike agreed.

“Sure you won’t come with us, John?” Captain Stanley asked.

Johnny’s smile was that of a man in love.  “No, sir.  Thanks, but I think Katie and I will be happy just wandering around Vegas.”

“Well, if you’re sure.  Katie, huh?  Nice girl?”

Johnny blushed.  “Y-yeah, yeah, she is.  She’s…she’s really nice.”

“That’s good.  Will we get to meet her before we have to go home?”

“Well, I was thinking about it.  It’s just that…well, we kinda…”  Johnny stumbled all over his words, uncertain how to explain his reluctance to expose his new lady friend to his crewmates.

“Johnny, we’re just teasing you.”  Roy hardly ever saw this side of Johnny when a woman was being discussed.  He usually acted overly confident and blustery. 

“Yeah, I know.  Sorry, but…” he blushed.  “She’s really special, ya know?  I don’t wanna mess this up.”

Mike Stoker chuckled.  “And meeting Chet is bound to have her running in fear.”

Johnny grinned, shrugging.  “I guess I want to give her time to know me first, before I spring the Phantom on her.”

Roy sobered.  “Johnny, we’re leaving tomorrow.”

“I…I know.  But…I could, uh, I could write her, call, maybe come visit when we have four days off in a row.  Or we could maybe meet in the middle.”  Johnny looked at his friends.  “I’m not rushing this one, guys.  Honest, I know what I’m getting into.”

“Long distance relationships are tough, John.  We just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“It’s okay, honest.”

“C’mon, pal, let’s see if we can make a dent on the breakfast buffet,” Hank changed the subject, clapping his hand on Johnny’s shoulder.

The younger man grinned.  “You got it, Cap. It looks great and I’m really hungry.”

The others laughed as Mike commented, “Like that’s something new.”

E!E!E!

After breakfast, Johnny spotted Katie standing in the large entry area of the casino as he walked with his friends across the main floor.  He waved at her, then turned to the others.  “Have fun, guys.  See ya later.”

“You, too, John.  Enjoy yourself.”

Roy watched as Johnny hurried to Katie’s side, taking her in his arms, the look on his friend’s face open and laughing.  “I hope he knows what he’s doing.”

“He’s falling hard, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, Mike, he really is.”

“Roy, you heard him.  John knows what he’s getting into.”  Hank clapped his paramedic on the back.  “He’ll handle it.  And if he can’t, we’ll be there to help him.”

“I guess.”  Roy shook his head.

“C’mon, Roy, let’s go see how dams are made.”

E!E!E!

“What would you like to do today?” Johnny asked as he and Katie moved outside into the already warm desert air.

“Whatever you want.  You’re the tourist.”

“Really?  I’d kinda like to get to know you and, uh, let you get to know me.  Okay?”  he asked shyly.

“That’s very okay, Johnny.  Very okay indeed.”  She stopped on the street, touching him gently on the face before leaning in for a kiss.  Katie then took his hand in hers, their fingers intertwined.  “Let me show you my town.”

“That sounds great,” Johnny said with a grin.

As they strolled down Fremont, the couple began to talk, about their jobs, about their homes, about themselves.  And the more they talked, the closer they became.

E!E!E!

Marco woke slowly, enjoying the rare pleasure of no alarm clock or station alarm.  The casino’s hotel rooms were fully soundproofed, not a whisper of sound making it inside.  The bed covers fell away as Marco sat up, dragging his fingers through his sleep-mussed hair.  He looked around, spotting the clock across the room.  “Wow, nine-thirty,” he murmured, knowing that Mike and the others would be on their way to see Hoover Dam.

He had time to take a leisurely shower, pick out an outfit to wear for his afternoon date with Consuela, and grab a bite to eat at a café off the casino main floor.

Lingering over a second cup of coffee, Marco watched the passing parade of people, all chasing that elusive jackpot the casino dangled just out of reach.  He thought he spotted a familiar face and called out.  “Chet!”

The stocky man turned, waved and tried to weave through the crowd to his friend.  “Marco, why aren’t you gambling?” Chet asked.

“Not in the mood right now.”  Wanting to change the subject and avoid any discussion as to his own planned activities, Marco commented on Chet’s appearance.  “You look wiped out.  Did you go to bed at all?”

“Nah, I can sleep when we get home.”

“Chet, we have to work when we get back.  You’ll be a danger to yourself as well as to the rest of us.  Go upstairs and sack out.”

“Marco,” Chet began to protest.

“No.  You sleep at least four to six hours or I’m telling Cap.  I mean it.”

After some grumbling, Chet agreed, heading to the elevators with a wave.

Marco called an amused good night at him before grabbing his breakfast check to pay at the cash register.

E!E!E!

On his way to the elevator Chet spotted a tall well built red head. Finally, maybe his luck was changing for the better. Hurrying after the woman, he followed her into the casino and halfway across to the other exit. Once he was caught up with her, he gently grabbed a hold of her arm, stopping her.

“Big Red! I thought I’d never…” Chet’s speech stopped abruptly as the words died in his throat when the woman turned around. Only it wasn’t Big Red and, Chet realized with a jolt, it wasn’t exactly a woman.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Irritation was evident in the other person’s eyes. Chet could only stare and try to figure out what was happening. His sleep deprived brain was having trouble comprehending the situation. This was not Big Red? “If you don’t take your hand off me this instant, I’m calling security.” Chet just continued to stare stupidly and the apparition before him looked pointedly down at his hand where it still rested on her… his …its…her arm. “Security!” The loud cry jolted Chet into action. He released his hold and put both hands in the air.

“That’s not necessary. I’m sorry, I thought you were someone I knew,” Chet hurried to explain before she could cry out again. The last thing he needed was another run in with security. Glaring at him the other person stalked off muttering about the rudeness of people. Chet stood in the middle of the casino floor for several minutes contemplating the incident. Was that who he had been chasing all this time? Had he ever even seen Big Red or was it just a figment of his imagination? Maybe Marco was right. Maybe he should just go to bed and get some sleep. He turned and once more headed for the elevator.

E!E!E!

Marco had positioned himself where he could see the lobby of the hotel where he and Consuela were to meet that afternoon. He had spent the morning wandering around the hotel grounds and sitting on one of the poolside lounge chairs hoping to catch a glimpse of Consuela in her trim uniform as she went about her duties. He was rewarded with a smile from her as she passed him with towels in her arms for a family nearby.

Now he sat in front of a one-armed-bandit idly pushing coins into the slot and pulling down on the lever. Mostly he was waiting for time to pass till his date. He had been dressed and ready more than an hour before the designated time.

After he inserted another coin in the slot he pulled down on the lever, not paying attention to the spinning display. Suddenly he heard the sound of a siren and coins rushing out of a machine. His attention caught, he looked around to see who the lucky winner was. He was surprised when he saw it was his own machine spilling forth coins.

Excited, Marco grabbed a nearby bucket and began to sweep the coins into it. Then he picked up the ones that had fallen to the floor. When he stood, he found himself surrounded by people who had been attracted by the noise of the machine alerting them of a win. As he scanned the crowd, bemused, he caught sight of Consuela and met her bright-eyed gaze.

Someone grabbed his free hand and pumped it. “Congratulations, you sure are a lucky man.”

“Yes, I am.” Marco returned, his mind not on the loot in the bucket, but on the sweet smile of the lady he was about to go out with.

E!E!E!

After their date once again inside the Golden Nugget, Marco and Consuela walked hand-in-hand down the strip. The two had become much more at ease with each other. He heartily wished he could once again just skip the free dinner with the guys later and stay out with her, but somehow it didn’t feel right to do it to them twice.

However, the more he and Consuela had talked, the more they had found they had in common. The more they found in common the more Marco wished she lived in L.A.

“I’m thinking of moving to L.A.” Her voice broke into his thoughts and at first he was sure he was hearing things.

“What’s that?” he asked startled.

“I’m thinking of moving to L.A.” Consuela repeated. “My sister has been after me to move and stay with her since she and her husband moved there. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to leave Vegas; move to a new city and all that. But now. . .”

“Now…?” Marco stopped and Consuela turned to look up into his face.

“Now I’m thinking it might not be so bad. Now that I know someone there besides my sister and her husband.”

Marco couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face as they began walking again.

“That would be nice. Maybe we could get together there. If you decide to move.”

“Maybe.”

E!E!E!

The tour bus pulled up to the curb and stopped. Passengers began to disembark, among them the three firefighters on vacation.

“Well, that was fun.” Captain Stanley remarked as the three men stood on the sidewalk outside the hotel.

“Yep. You know I never realized how little I knew about dams until now,” Roy said. “I should bring Joanne and the kids here on vacation sometime. It could be very educational for the Chris and Jennifer.”

“Yeah just what kids want. . .educational vacations.” Mike chuckled and Roy joined him.

“Oh, I wouldn’t tell them that part.”

“Well I guess it’s time to get ready for dinner. I, for one, could use a shower,” Hank remarked to the others, then started toward the hotel.

“Me, too.”

“Sounds good.”

Mike entered his room to find Marco in much the same position he had left him in that morning except that the bed was made up and Marco was fully clothed. The man had a far away expression on his face and didn’t acknowledge Mike when he came in.

“Hey, Marco. Marco!” Mike called twice before Marco turned his dreamy gaze his way. Mike was puzzled to see the look on the other man’s face. “What’s up? What did you do today?”

“Hmm?” Marco continued to gaze at him unseeingly.

“Marco, come on, snap out of it.” Mike snapped his fingers in his face in the manner of a hypnotist trying to awaken his subject. “Marco.”

“Oh, hi, Mike. When’d you get in?” Marco’s gaze finally focused on him.

“Just now. I’m going to take a shower. Get ready for dinner.”

“Oh, is it that late already?” Marco sat up on the bed and looked around. “I guess I better get ready for dinner, too.”

Roy and Hank met Marco and Mike as the four came out of their respective rooms. They walked down the hall towards the door of Chet and Johnny’s room and knocked. No one answered.

“I wonder where they are?” the captain said.

“Chet should be here. I told him to get some sleep. He was up all night last night in the casino.” Marco explained. Hank knocked on the door once more. A little more loudly this time.

E!E!E!

Johnny glanced at the clock on the wall at the emergency room of a local hospital, then at Katie in the orange plastic chair beside him. He gave her an apologetic grin and gently squeezed her left hand with his right as they rested their intertwined fingers on the adjoining arm of the chairs.

“I still can’t believe what I saw,” Katie remarked. “That was like something out of a bizarre movie.”

“I can,” Johnny commented. When she gave him a puzzled look, he elaborated. “You’d have to know Chet better to understand. Not that he’s always like this, but since we’ve been here he’s had more than his share of trouble.”

Gage thought back to the incident that had brought them here.

He and Katie had returned to the Golden Nugget after a day of venturing around town, and were just walking near one of the elevators when the doors opened to reveal Chet. It hadn’t taken but a second for what looked like a tall red-headed big-boned lady standing outside it to yell, “You again!” and step in to deck the blinded-sided curly-haired fireman.

Taken by surprise himself, Johnny’s mouth dropped open in disbelief, his gaze shifting from Chet to the ‘lady’ as she stormed off. The voice just hadn’t quite sounded like a lady’s.

What has he gotten himself into *now*? he wondered as he hurried to his friend’s aid, his hand still holding Katie’s as she came along.

When they reached the interior of the elevator, Chet was being held upright in a sitting position on the floor by two strangers while another patron held the ‘open’ button to keep the doors from closing.

Letting go of Katie’s hand, Johnny stepped forward and squatted down in front of his friend. “Chet, you okay?”

But Chet was still a bit dazed and just rubbed at his jaw, moving it to make sure it still worked.

The paramedic glanced over his shoulder at a sudden commotion where security had stopped the assailant. She was animatedly explaining the situation to them.

After a brief few seconds, Johnny turned back to face the injured man. “What happened now? Why’d she hit you?”

Chet gave a mournful look. “Can it wait?” he managed to get out.

Realizing it probably hurt to talk, being that it was the second punch in the jaw in as many days for the fireman, Johnny nodded. “Sure.” He reached out to gently check over the injury, and was relieved when it seemed not to be fractured. “I think you’re just gonna be really sore for awhile, but we’d better get you to an emergency room so a doctor can check you out this time to be sure.”

Chet shook his head. He didn’t want a big scene with an ambulance and all. But Katie was more than happy to supply the transportation, thus making it impossible for him to say ‘no’.

And so here they were in a waiting room at the hospital instead of having a chance to carry on with their date as they'd planned. They would've been headed to the local police station next, except Chet didn’t want to press any charges. Although it was actually a man who had decked him, it was a guy who was more like a woman at the time and the less that got out to anyone, the better.

Johnny looked at the clock once more. It was taking longer than they’d expected, the doctors had been backed up with patients. He wished now he’d left a message as to their whereabouts for the others. He knew they were all supposed to meet at the hotel to go to dinner at Moby Dick’s Seafood before seeing the second free show they’d won.

I wonder who we’re supposed to see. Sure could use some humor right now, Johnny thought. But in truth, he was going to beg out of both deals. It was his last chance to spend more time with Katie and when it came right down to it, he’d be thinking of her while at the other things anyway. Now he just had to convince her it’s what he wanted.

 
Even the guys aren’t gonna believe I’m passin’ up free stuff. . .hell, *I* don’t even believe it and I’m the one who’s *doin’* it.

E!E!E!

“Okay, Mr. Kelly, you can go now. Just remember, keep an icepack on it as much as you can. It’ll keep down any swelling.” The doctor handed him a small slip of paper. “Here’s the prescription I was explaining to you earlier. It says to take one every four hours, but basically just when you really feel you need to. The four hours is more as a ‘don’t take one anymore often than that’ type of thing. ”

Chet eyed the undecipherable scribbles on the paper, wondering how in the heck a pharmacist could ever figure the things out. It was one of those little mysteries that puzzled many not in the medical field and no one actually ever seemed to worry about getting the answer to. In fact, it often was a running joke for some.

“Thanks, Doc.” He winced at the soreness moving his mouth caused. He walked out of the room and down a hallway toward the waiting area. Chet still was trying to figure out exactly how he ended up with such an eventful stay in Vegas; certainly more so than his shiftmates were having.

He thought back to the events that had put him where he was now. A simple case of mistaken identity of the cross-dresser; then a well needed nap taken as strongly suggested by Marco, which was followed by a shower and the desire to grab a snack to hold him over till dinner. All he’d done between the shower and the snack was ride the elevator down. Unfortunately, he’d had to yawn as the doors opened and the cross-dresser apparently had thought he was about to say something to her. . .

Er him. . .

Her booming voice still rang in his ears. “You again!” And then he’d been sitting on the floor.

Chet stepped into the waiting room. Johnny and Katie got to their feet to walk over to him.

And on top of everything else, I lost the bet.

He hadn’t discussed it with Gage yet, but he was sure the dark-haired paramedic was going to be rubbing it in all the way back to LA the next day.

But for now the subject wouldn’t even be brought up. He wanted to put off being the recipient of gloating as long as possible.

“So you all set?” Johnny asked, glancing at his watch. “The others are gonna be wonderin’ where we are.”

Chet held up the prescription and the three headed for the pharmacist located in another area in the hospital.

E!E!E!

After knocking louder and not getting an answer from John or Chet, the captain and others gave up. They’d decided to walk around downstairs and see if they could spot either one.

“I don’t get it,” Hank said as they walked down the hallway. “John and Chet not here waiting when it involves a free meal? And a free show?” And I thought I was the *only* one not anxious to eat seafood.

Marco looked at his watch. “Well, Cap, it was a lot earlier today when I saw Chet. If he only took a four-hour nap. . .and if he went right back to gambling. . .”

“Maybe he’s sleep betting. . .you know, like sleep walking,” Mike joked.

Roy had to grin at the image that conjured up. “You know, that’s about the time a guy would win a jackpot.”

That reminded Marco of his good fortune. In all the concern, he’d forgotten to give them the news about his surprise win. Sure, it hadn’t been THE jackpot, as a person had to play three coins to get one of those, but it was still a big enough win to draw a lot of attention and fill a bucket with coins.

He filled his friends in as they rode down in the elevator to continue the search for Chet and Johnny.

E!E!E!

Johnny and Katie walked to the right of Chet, the couple’s fingers loosely intertwined, as the threesome made their way from the car to the casino. Though he was doing fine overall, Johnny didn’t want to let him out of sight until they met up with the others.

Somewhere. . .

“Remember, not a word it was anyone in a dress that hit me if anyone asks,” Chet mumbled as he held an icepack he’d gotten from the hospital against his sore jaw.

Johnny eyed Katie and grinned, then assured, “Don’t worry, we won’t say a thing.”

As they entered the main room of the casino, Johnny spotted the others, their gazes searching the area. He waved with his free hand and motioned them over when he saw he’d gotten at least Hank’s and Roy’s attention.

The four men made their way around other patrons, passing a couple of rows of slot machines and gaming tables along the way.

As soon as the captain saw the ice pack, his eyes widened in surprise. “What happened to you now?” Before Chet could answer, he turned his attention to Johnny for an explanation.

Gage glanced at Chet, then returned his eyes to Hank. “Uh. . .he had a run-in with a. . .well, I guess you could say with an old friend.”

“Doesn’t seem like it was a very good friend. Was it someone you’ve had trouble with here earlier?” This time the captain was waiting for Chet to explain.

The curly-haired fireman shook his head. “Not really.”

“Are you okay?”

Johnny answered, sparing Chet anymore movement of his jaw. “He’s just real sore, Cap. We took him to a doctor this time and he checked out fine. The ice pack is just to keep it from swelling much.”

“Good, that’s a relief.” He looked at the others with him. “Well, I suppose you aren’t gonna be up to eating much.”

Chet got a pained look on his face when he remembered they had another free dinner coming. “I’ll manage.”

“If you say so. John?”

Gage looked at Katie, then shook his head as he once again addressed the captain. “I’m gonna pass this time. On the dinner and the show.”

Five mouths dropped open in shock, Chet’s included. He didn’t even feel any pain. Thrifty John Gage was turning down freebies.

“You sure?” Roy asked. Though he already knew the reason why, it was still something he hadn’t expected. “You both can come,” he assured, motioning toward Katie.

Johnny glanced at her and she at him, then he gave the answer that was going to stick. “That’s okay. No offense, but we decided we wanted more time alone.”

“Sure,” Hank stated. “You certainly don’t have to come.”

After briefly introducing Katie to the others, Johnny and she went off on their own. Roy couldn’t help but be slightly concerned for his friend, but at the same time smiled. They did make a cute couple.

Hank put his hands together and mustered up as much enthusiasm for a free seafood dinner as he could. “Well, then, are we ready? Chet, do you need to get changed?”

The fireman looked down at his clothes. They were kind of messed up from all that had happened. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Go ahead and change. We’ll wait down here, unless you want someone to come with you just in case. . .”

“That’s okay, Cap.”

He turned and headed for the elevator, hoping that no man in a dress was waiting for him inside. After an uneventful trip up to the room, Chet was about to get back in the elevator when a sudden dejavu’ came over him. He decided to take the stairs. As he exited the stairwell on the main floor, a familiar voice called out, “Chester Kelly? Is that really you?”

It was then Chet caught glimpse of a familiar face out of the corner of his eye. He stopped and stared, wondering if maybe the punch he’d taken earlier had scrambled his brain.

But it wasn’t a figment of his imagination, nor was it the ‘woman’ who packed a punch. It was. . .

Big Red?

She recognized him even better now. ”What are you doing here?”

He stood rooted in shock and the ice pack dropped to the floor as he absently let go of it. It was really Big Red. . .the woman he’d been searching for since he’d first caught a glimpse of her here. Suddenly he realized he’d hit the jackpot after all. It had taken a lot of ‘detours’ to get there, but fate had landed him where he needed to be at the right moment. For a brief second, he even would’ve considered thanking the one who’d about broken his jaw and made him wary of taking the elevator down.

Mike noticed the two from halfway across the room and nudged the captain. “Looks like we may be down to four for dinner.”

Hank sighed. At *this* rate, by the time we get to the place, I may be eating alone.


 

E!E!E!

“Chester?” Her red hair glowed under the neon lights, her smile equally bright as she gazed at him.

“Oh. Ah, the guys and I won a trip here.”

“That’s wonderful, honeybunch. How long will y’all be here?”

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning,” Chet replied mournfully, only to find himself engulfed in soft, perfumed arms, his face pressed into her expansive bosom. He manfully held his yelp back from the pressure on his still sore jaw. Once released and able to breath again, he leaned back in puzzlement. “Did you get taller since we went out last time?”

Red’s delighted laughter rang out. “You are the cutest thing. Silly, I’m wearing four inch heels.”

Chet looked down to see the dangerously thin stilettos at the end of the striking woman’s leotard covered, shapely legs. A colorful shawl was wrapped around her hips as a cover. “Wow,” he moaned softly.

Red pulled him close again, leaning over the steal a kiss. “I’ve been auditioning for a show girl position. I’ll be here a few more days to hear if I’ve got it.”

“I’ll miss ya, Red.”

“Darlin’, I won’t be gone forever. If I get the job, it’ll only be for six weeks.”

Chet grinned, his blue eyes twinkling. “You don’t mind if I say that I’m glad it’s nothing permanent?”

“Well, of course not. That’s just the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. Would you like to go get a bite to it? I’m done for the evening and I’m famished. You can explain why you have that awful bruise on your face. Did you get hurt rescuing somebody, hon?”

“I’ll tell you later, but something to eat? That sounds great. Will you come with me while I tell the guys? I don’t want to lose you now that I’ve finally found you.”

“Ohhh, Chester B. Kelly! You are the most romantic man I’ve ever met. You’re gonna make my mascara run.” She clutched at his offered arm with one hand and dabbed at her heavily made up eyes with her other, using a bit of laced cloth removed from her cleavage.

Blushing at the grins and smirks of the four men waiting for him, Chet shrugged. Being thought romantic by the gorgeous dancer wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to a guy, even in front of his buddies.

“Chet? Ready for dinner?” Captain Stanley asked.

“Uh. Well, as to that…”

“Chester and I only have tonight to spend together. I’m sure you understand how I want him all to myself.” Red squeezed Chet’s arm. “He’s such a sweetie.”

Marco and Mike, already valiantly struggling to keep their composure from the earlier comment, now were choking on the laughter at Chet ever being called or considered a sweetie. Roy looked down at the dizzily patterned carpet, rocking back and forth on his heels, biting the inside of his cheek.

“Yes, he is, isn’t he? Of course, you two…lovebirds . . . want to be alone on your last night…together.” Stanley made it through with only a slight quiver in his voice. “Have a good time.”

The four firefighters managed to keep it together until Chet and his lady friend were gone from sight, then they lost it. Laughing hysterically, they leaned on each other and some close slot machines. Attracting the amused attention of gamblers sitting nearby, most could only make out a stray word or two.

“Romeo…”

“Sweetie?”

“Romantic? Chester B…the Phantom…”

“Johnny should’ve been here,” Roy commented, wiping tears from his eyes as he struggled for control.

“Okay, okay,” Stanley tried to restore order. “Let’s settle down. We have to get dinner finished before we pick up our show tickets. Even if it is a seafood restaurant.”

That set the other three off again, knowing how their captain hated fish despite making some of the best clam chowder in the Los Angeles County Fire Department. His explanation was that the chowder wasn’t made with fish. As an explanation, it wasn’t much, but it was the only one they would ever receive.

After great gusts of laughter and some semi-hysterical giggles, the four men were ready to try the delights of Moby Dick’s Seafood Restaurant.

E!E!E!

Johnny and Katie sat on the hood of her car, leaning back against the windshield to gaze at the vast star field above. The neon lights of the city were far behind them.

The contented paramedic sighed as Katie snuggled close by his side. “We don’t get a view like this in L.A., even on a relatively clear night. There are always too many lights and too much pollution.”

“Las Vegas is getting that way, unless you drive way out here like we did. More and more casinos, more and more people with no respect for the land.”

“Green lawns and swimming pools.”

“Golf courses.”

“Water fountains.”

“Concrete everywhere.”

“All of which increases both the heat and the moisture in the desert air,” Johnny said.

“Throwing off the natural order,” Katie agreed. “I’m just glad it’s not worse. So far most people just want to visit Las Vegas. The majority who live here, work here. But if we get popular with the retirees like Arizona and Florida, I dread what could happen.”

Johnny loved the passion for nature, but his heart was heavy as well. “You love it here, don’t you?”

Pushing her glasses back up her nose, Katie didn’t hesitate. “I love the desert. I love the mountains so close by.”

“I see.”

She leaned over and kissed him on the nose. “I don’t think you do. I also love the ocean and the forests, the lakes and rolling hills. I’ve lived in a lot of places, Johnny, and I don’t expect to live here forever. In my line of work, you have an opportunity to move around.”

Johnny wrapped his arms tightly around the petite brunette. “Oh, yeah? You might move again?”

“There’s always new bowling centers opening up, centers that bring in new managers to get them started.”

After exchanging long, lingering kisses, the couple resumed watching the soft velvet sky. A passing meteor shower put on a show that Johnny would’ve sworn equaled the one his friends would be seeing at the casino.

E!E!E!

Hank patted his stomach with a satisfied smile. “Gotta admit, I was surprised to find steak on the menu. Pretty good steak at that. Especially for a seafood place.”

Roy and Mike exchanged grins.

“Could’ve gone without seeing your trout staring at me, Marco,” their Captain continued. “Even when I wasn’t looking at it, I could feel those glassy little eyes looking at me.”

“Sorry, Cap. I offered to dig ‘em out.”

“Ewww, get away from me!”

“C’mon, gang, let’s go get our tickets. Do we know who we’re going to see?” Roy asked as they walked to the ticket counter at the back of the Golden Nugget.

Standing in line, the men discussed the possible artists based on placards and flyers posted throughout the building as well as listening to Marco rhapsodize about Consuela. They reached the counter at last, Captain Stanley giving their names to the clerk and explaining that two of the tickets would not be needed.

Receiving their packet, the men of Station 51 moved away. Stanley handed everyone their ticket before looking at the name of the artist.

“Wow!” Marco was excited. “Redd Foxx! He’s hilarious on Sanford and Son.”

“Imagine, getting to see another big name like this.” Hank was equally thrilled. He and his wife always watched the series.

They joined the audience moving into the auditorium, eager to have even more to tell their families about their trip.

E!E!E!

The four men were silent as they left the auditorium, moving to a small café just off the main floor. Still quiet, they ordered coffees and fresh pastries.

Roy shook his head. “I’m not a prude. I mean, I was in the Army.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. That was…” Hank couldn’t find the words.

“My mother would call it blue,” Mike offered.

Marco shook his head. “My mother would say it was filthy. And that Redd Foxx needs his mouth washed out with soap. I don’t think I’ll be able to watch his show again after that.”

“Johnny and Chet didn’t miss anything, that’s for sure,” Roy sighed.

Mike laughed. “Could you imagine how Johnny would’ve been if his girlfriend had come with us to the show?”

“He would’ve been red as a beet,” Roy said.

“And never be able to complete a word, much less a sentence.” Marco nibbled at his sticky bun.

“I just don’t see the point.”

“What do you mean, Michael?”

“Why do these comedians think they have to be vulgar to be funny?”

“That’s a question people have been asking since before Lenny Bruce was first arrested. I’ve heard it said that it makes the humor topical and real. I don’t agree, but I don’t see it changing.” Stanley got to his feet, taking the check with him. He waved off their money. “I’ve got this, men. I’m heading up to the room, watch a little TV and get a good night’s sleep. Go have fun, but keep in mind that we’ll be leaving tomorrow after breakfast, our last free meal. I want to get on the road by nine at the latest, so don’t stay up all night.”

“G’night, Cap.” The other three chorused.

E!E!E!

The time to leave came too soon for some of the vacationing men. Johnny, Chet and Marco each figured another day with their lady friends would have been great, but the three married men were ready to return to their wives and families.

“Well, that’s everything,” Hank stated as he closed his suitcase. He was glad he hadn’t gotten carried away with souvenirs and everything still fit in one case.

Roy was going to have to carry a large plush elephant he’d bought at the Circus Circus Casino separately. He couldn’t wait for his daughter Jennifer to see it. His son Chris was getting a set of trick rings from the same place. Joanne’s gift was a beautiful necklace he’d found in a shop at the Golden Nugget.

Packed and ready to go, they just had to wait for the others to meet at their room as agreed.

E!E!E!

Marco looked at Mike as the engineer closed his suitcase.

“I guess this is it.”

“It sure is.”

“I guess I can be happy Consuela might move to LA.”

Mike grinned. “So, Johnny won that bet the three of you had going. Has he hit you up for the money yet?”

Marco shook his head. “He’s never mentioned it since we first made the bet. I’ll be glad to pay him, though. Even if I had won, I wouldn’t have taken the money. Consuela means too much to me.”

“Well, maybe he’s making Chet pay up now and you’re next.”

“That would explain what’s taking them so long. Chet won’t empty his pockets.”

Mike snickered. “I’d give anything to be a fly on a wall in that room. Mr. Thrifty trying to get Mr. Greedy to pay up.”

Marco closed his suitcase, a wide smile on his face. “Let’s go see if they’re ready for breakfast.”

They set their cases near the door and headed for Johnny and Chet’s room.

E!E!E!

“You about ready, Chet?” Johnny called out from his seat on the end of a bed. He’d already showered and packed, but the curly haired fireman was still in the bathroom, his duffle bag still open on the floor beside his bed.

“I’d be out there now if you hadn’t taken so long in here!” came a muffled reply.

“I wasn’t in there that long,” Johnny shot back. He heard the toilet flush and shortly there after the door opened. Chet stepped past him with his boxers and t-shirt he’d slept in balled up in his hands. He was now wearing denim jeans and a Las Vegas t-shirt for the trip home. He stuffed the dirty clothes in his bag and pulled on a drawstring at the top to close it. He then tied the strings in a knot to secure them.

Johnny motioned toward the main door of the room. “Let’s go.”

“Wait, I’ve gotta get my shoes on.”

“Man, Chet, just pretend you’re responding to a fire and you’ll be ready in no time.”

“Gage. . .”

A knock on the door interrupted the conversation and Johnny hurried over to see if it was Marco and Mike or perhaps the captain and Roy. He and Chet were running late enough, it wouldn’t surprise him to see the latter.

“You guys ready to get breakfast?” Mike asked as Marco peered past Johnny to Chet. He looked unhappy enough that he may have very well paid up on the bet.

Johnny glanced over his shoulder. “As soon as he’s done with his shoes.”

Chet stood up and stepped toward the others. “I’m set. Let’s go.”

With no mention of the bet to Marco, he and Mike just shrugged at one another. With Gage and Kelly, they knew better than to try and figure it out on their own. Anything was possible.

E!E!E!

Once they had their free breakfast and had gotten their luggage, the six men signed out of their rooms and headed for Marco’s van. Each one of them gave one last look at the strip of casinos as they drove toward Interstate 15.

After what the guys had told him about the show the night before, Johnny was glad he’d decided to spend more time with Katie and pass it up. But now as Vegas grew smaller in the distance, he was really going to miss her. He reached in his jean pocket and pulled out a small slip of paper with her phone number on it.

Chet rubbed at his still sore jaw as he glanced back at the city. He wasn’t going to miss the many problems he’d encountered. In fact, getting back to work was going to feel like a vacation compared to some of the incidents he’d been involved in. But he would miss Big Red until she made it back to California.

Big Red. .  He couldn’t believe it had taken nearly the whole time there to meet up with her.

He glanced at Johnny. The paramedic was lost in thought looking at a piece of paper. Chet was glad he didn’t win their bet if it involved Big Red. He liked her too much to use her to win money. But he sure didn’t want to have to pay Gage either. He just wished Johnny would say something about it though and get it over with.

E!E!E!

Roy, Hank and Mike each were thinking about how good it was going to be to have a home-cooked meal again and sleep in their own beds. Mike was especially excited about the money he’d won to spend on the baby.

With everyone unusually quiet and plenty of time to reflect on the trip, Marco thought of Consuela, a smile coming to his face. He really hoped she would decide to move to L.A. so they’d be closer. Long distance relationships were always hard to maintain, unless a person could afford a lot of long distance telephone calls, and even then it wasn’t easy. Letters helped, but they were even more distant than a conversation on the phone. And since they hadn’t known each other very long, it was likely to be that much harder to maintain their relationship.

She *has* to move to LA. She just *has* to.

E!E!E!

Chet couldn’t stand it any longer. He pulled out a five and stuck it in front of Gage’s face.

“Here.”

Johnny looked baffled. “What’s that?”

“A five dollar bill.”

The dark-haired paramedic rolled his eyes. “I know that. What’s it for?”

Now it was Chet’s turn to roll his eyes. “Our bet, Gage. You know,” he prompted, not sure he wanted to elaborate in front of the others.

“Oh that. . .” Johnny pushed Chet’s hand away, the bill still in it. “Keep it.”

“But you won.”

“I sure did,” Johnny said with a lopsided grin. He eyed the paper with the phone number on it again. “I sure did.”

“So. . .” Chet once again held out the five.

Johnny pushed it away again. “I said, keep it.”

Chet eyed him warily a moment, then looked toward the front. “Marco, stop and turn around! We’ve gotta go back! ”

Lopez hit the brakes at the word ‘stop’, at the same time pulling over to the side of the road. The sudden stop caught everyone off guard. The men’s arms extended out, hands reaching to brace themselves to halt their forward momentum.

“What for?” Marco asked, peering over his right shoulder. The others looked on, wondering what was worth nearly giving them whiplash. 

“I think we picked up an imposter Gage instead of the real one. He won’t accept any money.”

Johnny rolled his eyes and sighed. “Oh brother. . .”

The others groaned at Chet’s explanation. It wasn’t worth the rough stop. 

Marco pulled back onto the highway, nothing but brush and weeds off in the distance on either side.  “Don’t do that again, Chet.”

“It was a joke. I didn’t expect you to really stop!”

“We’d better hurry and get home,” Johnny stated, noting Chet’s still bruised jaw. “The way Chet managed to find trouble in Vegas, and him almost giving us all whiplash just now, the sooner we’re off the road and away from him, the better.”

“A guy tries to have a little fun,” Chet mumbled. “I lost my lucky slug, so what do you expect?”

As they continued down the highway, Mike suggested, “Hey, how about we do this again next year?”

“We have to win first,” Roy reminded him.

Taking interest in the idea, Johnny sat forward slightly and added, “We could start saving canned goods now, and by next year, we’d have plenty.”

“Maybe Uncle Hernando will let us use the van again.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” Hank agreed. “But where do you guys plan on keeping all those canned goods until next year? You know, they can add up fast over that much time.”

“How about we start out slow, and each one of us keep some,” Johnny suggested. “That way no one’ll get overloaded. ’Course with an apartment, I can’t keep as much as say Roy can with his house.”

“He’s already bailing,” Roy teased.

“I’m not bailing. I’m being realistic.”

“So we’re on?” Mike wondered.

A few ‘sures’ and ‘of courses’ sounded throughout the van.

Chet glanced at Johnny and nudged him in the ribs.

“What?”

“Bet ya five bucks you get married to Katie next time we’re here.”

“Chet!”

E!E!E!

A few months later, things were going well. Mike and his wife were enjoying the new changing table for the baby. Hank and Roy were slowly building the canned good supply at their homes with the help of the others.

Though she hadn’t moved from Vegas yet, Katie had visited Johnny twice and their friendship was still fresh and fun for the young couple.

Consuela had moved to Los Angeles and she and Marco were doing well, his family more than accepting her as a member of the family even though the two were just dating.

Chet had healed from all his minor aches and bruises from the mishaps in Vegas and was enjoying his time with Big Red after she returned from her gig in the busy city.

All six men had fond memories from their venture they’d won despite the few problems that’d come up. And even if they didn’t win with the next food drive, they knew another four day outing together was in their future. They’d make sure of it.

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