by Jeff Ping
Chapter 6
The expansion
Entering the office Mike looked to Lucien and said, “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, come in and have a seat Michael. I have a proposition for you. How would you like to head up the Las Vegas operations?” asks Lucien.
Mike dropped the last few inches into his chair as his legs went rubbery.
"Me??? What about Vinny won’t he be upset or hurt? He is family after all. We always thought Vinny would be leading that expansion.”
“No, I’ve already talked to Vincenzo and he understands. Vincenzo had a youthful indiscretion, a liquor store hold up when he was sixteen and a handgun was involved. It will require a few years to get that expunged from his record and buried before I can get him clean enough for a gambling license.
Vincenzo can head up the next phase which is an expansion into the Reno, Tahoe markets. The Chicago Families control is being chipped away. I feel now is the time for us to move in.
I’ve already had the lawyers working to make the transfer of the gambling license from your existing partnership. They have assured me that the transfer to the new as yet to be built casino should go smoothly. Since you owned it not Bassi Industries there won't be a trace back to us. All I need is for you to agree to sell your interest in the small casino to a company Mason Entertainment International (M.E.I.) that my lawyers have setup. The new company will own it not Bassi Industries. Ownership of title only, will change.
As President of the new company M.E.I. you will continue to be responsible and oversee the operation. When the new casino is completed the existing casino will be closed and all permits and licenses will be transferred to the new casino. We can break ground within six months and should be operational with in two years. I understand you are a wealthy man now and could retire if you choose. I guarantee there will be no repercussions if you decline the new assignment.” said Lucien.
“Mr. Bassi… Lucien I would never decline any offer you made me. I’m just a kid from the block that got lucky and met Vinny when he needed a favor. I’m not someone raised into wealth and the lap of luxury. I need to work, to stay busy. Without formal education I could never get a job that was challenging enough to make me happy. It would be difficult to take orders from some incompetent that had their job because their financial advantage allowed them to attend college. Ability is not enough in business. Family connections and/or education are even more important.”
Mr. Bassi gave Mike a hard stare and said “That is changing up north in the areas around San Francisco. Some of the most successful businesses are owned and operated by college dropouts. They do indeed value competence and ability. Until the east coast old money attitudes and companies take root youth and ability is a treasured asset. But those businesses will slide into the same dead end mentality eventually. But that’s enough discussion on business philosophy. Do you want the assignment or not? I can give you a few days to think about it if you wish.”
“No, I don’t need time I have already told you I will take any assignment you give me. My biggest concern was how it would affect my relationship with Vincenzo.” Mike said.
“Vincenzo is fine with my decision. How soon can you relocate to Nevada and get the ball rolling?” asks Lucien.
“I’ll go to Vegas two weeks from now and identify lodgings. Then by the end of the month, I can become a permanent resident of that state, driver’s license and all.
Lucien raised an eyebrow and said, “Still living out of a suitcase Michael?”
“Course not, I have two suitcases now” said Mike. Both men chuckled and Lucien just shook his head.
Less than a week after his meeting with Lucien, Mike had moved into his new Las Vegas apartment. He spent most days and well into the nights hanging out in various casinos. Mike hired interior designers and even a psychologist to insure a friendly and comfortable environment for his casino guests.
During the construction phase there were only problems with one union rep. conveniently for Mike he died of a broken neck while off road riding on his motorcycle. The accident only required two of Reese’s men to stage it so there would be no doubts or suspicions.
From that point on, only work site accidents marred construction. During the next five months Mike made acquaintances with card dealers, bartenders, waiters, drink servers, and concierge. In general, Mike was learning who was best at their job and what set them apart from their contemporaries'. He observed only, he didn’t interview or make job offers. Mike wanted to find people who not only gave the appearance of efficiency but who did their job not with just a smile, but with the attitude of caring.
Observing people was Mike’s strongest suit. He had learned it surviving on the street as a kid and whether as a hit man or as a manager, observing the behavior of people served him well. Three months before opening Mike started to pull his team together. He hired his manager Kurt to build a five star dinning experience. The manager from his existing casino would run the casinos day to day operation. A waitress from the largest club in Vegas was hired to oversee the staff of waiters and servers. A bartender from one of Mike’s restaurants would be the head bartender.
One month before opening, the managers would start hiring their own staff. There were a total of two hundred and fifty employees. This was not the largest casino in town but still Mike wasn’t used to operating cost on this scale. The major operating expense was personnel. But the casino was profitable after its first six months of operation.
Cutting and expanding the different employee pools Mike noted the cutting of service staff, i.e.; waiters, waitresses, and drink servers most affected the bottom line. Even though the drinks were free, the customers spent best when they were well lubricated. So the service staff was always manned at capacity.