by Dan Kelly
Red thinks, “It sure would be nice if everyone felt like these folks, but I know it’s too much to hope for. I dread tomorrow when the headhunters will be out in full force.
Chapter 6
Sure enough, as soon as he sets foot into his office the next morning, his admin bombards him with dozens of phone calls he has to return. So far, no one is waiting for him in his outer office which gives him a little breathing room, but he knows that will quickly change. As the morning progresses, he will be gasping for air as he tries to answer all of the accusatory questions that will be coming at him from all angles. He is going to be inundated with queries from investigative reporters seeking the truth as well as scandal sheet piranha looking for blood and a juicy story and the truth be damned. “Driving a hack in Chicago is getting to look better and better”.
The day turns out to be the stuff nightmares are made of. When the reporters were finished with him and he arranged to have all of the irate customer calls handled by a live answering service, he thought he might get a respite from the pressure. No such luck. As soon as he began to take a breather, Wayne Worthington called to tell him that the board of directors was up in arms over the bad publicity and an emergency meeting was being held at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning and he was going to have to jump through hoops to keep heads from rolling, his and Red’s. Then Curtis Crowley showed up at his office, demanding to see Red immediately. To say that meeting didn’t go well would be putting it mildly.
The Commissioner stormed into Red’s office bellowing, “I demand that you tender your resignation immediately. Your incompetence in managing a casino is overwhelming. You can’t maintain appropriate security measures to keep cheaters off the premises and you engage in behavior that is not only damaging to the Palladian Palace, but also puts the Mississippi Valley Gaming Commission in an extremely bad light. I’m sure you will be found to be in violation of numerous Commission regulations, some of which are punishable by fine or imprisonment, when our investigation proves that the rumors flying around are true. If you don’t resign, I will do everything in my power to see that you are fired.”
The Commissioner doesn’t realize it, but he has done something very stupid. He has hit Red’s hot button, not once, but several times. First, he accused Red of being incompetent. Second, he implied that Red was insensitive to the effect his actions have on the gaming industry in the area. Third, he has accused Red of being dishonest. This is a very bad combination and Red acts accordingly. Hell, he explodes.
“How did a moron like you ever get to be Commissioner? You come in here throwing around all kinds of insinuations, making all kinds of threats without a shred of evidence that I have done anything wrong. Your power is limited to seeing that the regulations of the Mississippi Valley Gaming Commission are being implemented. That’s it. Only the senior management of the Palladian Palace or the courts if I have done something illegal can remove me from my position as manager of the Palladian Palace. You can ‘demand’ nothing of me. You got that? Now get your ass out of my office before I throw you out!”
The Commissioner’s eyes bulge, his face turns a deep crimson, he begins to sputter with nothing intelligent coming out and then he turns and storms out of the office without even closing the door. As the Commissioner makes his exit, Red’s thinking, “Maybe I should call my old boss now and see if he needs any drivers. I certainly didn’t mend any bridges today.”
Chapter 7
A couple of days later, Red is sitting in one of the casino’s coffee shops having breakfast when Wayne Worthington walks in, spots him and asks to join him. “I was meaning to call you later today to give you the lowdown regarding what happened at the board meeting. It wasn’t as bad I had feared, but it was no day at the beach either.
“After I gave them a complete rundown as to what has been going on and what steps you have taken to address the issues, one of the directors piped up with, ‘I believe Mr. Borman is doing everything he can think of to resolve this matter, but it isn’t enough. Perhaps we should consider replacing him with someone else who might approach the problem with better ideas.’ Some of the other board members jumped on the bandwagon and made similar comments while also complaining about being swamped with demands from Commissioner Crowley, some of the media and more than a few members of the public that you be let go. I was able to convince them that you were doing everything humanly possible to catch this guy and that no one else could do a better job. I told them it would be extremely unfair to blame you for what is happening and asked them to be patient and give you time, working with the police, to collar this guy and put him away.
“They reluctantly agreed, but only gave you a month to wave your magic wand and make the problem fade into the sunset. If at the end of 30 days, this guy is still loose and doing his thing, your history. I’m sorry, Red. This was the best I could do.”
“I know it was, Wayne, and I greatly appreciate your effort. I love my job and the Palladian Palace is a terrific place to work. The people I get to work with are something very special and our customers are a joy to serve. I’m convinced that I am the root cause of all our troubles, so perhaps it would be best if I resign. My resignation will give my nemesis what he wants, you won’t have to deal with him anymore and everything can get back to normal. The last thing I want to be is the cause of any more grief.”
“Red, you’ve made the Palladian Palace what it is. Without you, things will never get back to normal. It will be a whole new ballgame.”
“It’s nice to hear you say that, Wayne, but my immediate resignation may be the only expedient way to put all of this behind us. Let me think about it for a couple of days then I’ll get back to you.”
Wayne finished first, picked up the check and upon leaving said, “I hope you decide to fight until the bitter end. Miracles do happen you know? Besides, where else am I going to find someone that lets me beat him at golf?”
Red lingered over his coffee, thinking once again about being a cabbie in Chicago. “Boy, what a mess I’ve gotten myself into.”
Deep in thought, he doesn’t see the tall, portly gentleman with a friendly smile approaching. “Excuse me, Mr. Borman, but I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation with the man that just left. I may have a remedy for your dilemma if you will permit me to elucidate.”
Startled, all Red can think of to say is, “Huh? Elucidate? Where did you come from? You’re not from around here that’s for certain because words of more than three syllables just aren’t used. They take too much time to say and don’t say things any better anyway.” Then Red paused, gave the man standing alongside him an appraising look and apologized. “I’m sorry for being such a smart mouth. My day is starting out to be what I’m afraid is going to be a very tortuous and probably even torturous one the way my luck has been going lately. Please, have a seat.”
Sitting down the man, still smiling, cheerfully says, “Thank you and apology accepted. My name is Rex Spaulding and I believe what I have to say may interest you. As I said, I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation with your friend Wayne and I want to offer you a way out of this quagmire you find yourself in. It may not completely bring to an end all of the problems you are facing, but it will certainly alleviate some of them.”
“There you go again with the big words. Sorry. My mood’s not the greatest at the moment. I’ll shut up and let you talk.”
“That’s quite all right, Red. May I call you Red? I understand that’s what your friends call you and I’d like to be your friend and, I might add, your new boss.”
Red reverts to his intelligent, “Huh?” and can’t think of anything else to say.
Rex continues with, “This morning is not my first awareness of you. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you from mutual acquaintances and have been observing you and the way you run the Palladian Palace for the past couple of weeks now. I am quite impressed by what I’ve learned and would like to offer you a position as manager of my new riverboat casino which is dock
ed only three miles from here.
“Her name is Floating Fantasies and she’s a sight to behold. She should be. She has cost me fifteen million dollars to build and I’m in love with her. There’s nothing like her on the Mississippi River or any other river for that matter and I want the best at her helm. I believe you fit that bill. Don’t give me your answer now. Just agree to come down to where she’s berthed tomorrow morning and check her out for yourself. I have no doubt that you will be bowled over.”
At first Red is at a loss for words, but as what Rex has just said sinks in he blurts out, “It’s nice to know someone likes what I’m doing at the Palladian Palace enough to want me to work for them, but you could be opening yourself up to a heap of trouble if you were to follow through on your offer. It appears that I’m probably a target for some nut that wants to ruin me and couldn’t care less about collateral damage? He doesn’t care who else gets hurt as long as he brings me down. If you were to hire me, you’d be opting for a prime position in the fallout area.”
“I’ve heard about the robbery and the rumors going about regarding some imaginative cheating going on at the Palladian Palace. I’m no stranger to risk, Red, and I know the risk I’ll be taking in hiring you, but I think you’re worth it and I believe that the two of us can handle anything that might come our way.
“Listen, Red, as an oil man I’ve been in tight spots myself and know what it’s like to be out numbered when fighting to survive. I had a few friends that stepped up and helped me deal with my enemies in the past and now know that it’s the best way to fly. Going solo can sometimes lead to crash and burn landings.
“So, how about it? Without making any commitment, will you agree to meet me tomorrow morning on the Floating Fantasies and let me show you around and then make you a firm offer with all the trimmings?”
“Well, I think you’re out of your gourd, but okay. What time?”
“Wonderful. If 10:00 o’clock works for you, I’ll see you then.”
“I’ll be there.” Rex leaves and Red orders another cup of coffee which he doesn’t drink but just stares at, completely flabbergasted over what has just transpired.
Chapter 8
At 10:00 a.m. the next morning, Red is standing at the foot of the gangway, looking up in amazement at what he is seeing. What Red knows about ships wouldn’t fill a thimble, but he knows craftsmanship when he sees it and Rex is right. Floating Fantasies is beautiful and very big. As Red is being mesmerized by the sight before him, Rex comes walking down the gangway to greet him.
“Good morning, Red. She’s something else isn’t she?”
“She sure is. She’s huge.”
“She’s got to be because we’re asking a lot of her.
“The ship is 500 feet long, 115 feet wide andt has 680 staterooms, 136 on each of the upper five decks. Although the ship has the traditional paddle wheel, it is not powered by steam but rather by many state-of-the-art internal combustion engines capable of putting out beaucoup horse power.
“The Floating Fantasies can accommodate 1360 gamblers, and its crew of 160 men and women caters to their every desire for living the good life while onboard and encourages their dreams of breaking the bank and going home filthy rich.
“The main deck houses restaurants, gift shops, beauty parlors, theaters, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, fitness gyms, card rooms, bowling alleys, a billiard room, bars galore, each with a different motif, nightclubs for entertainment and dancing and, of course, the casino.
“The crew’s quarters are below the main deck, all except the captain’s which is amidships on the main deck.
“The casino is a sight to behold. It provides an extensive selection of ways to lose ones money, everything from hundreds of slot, video poker and keno machines to numerous black jack, craps, baccarat and poker tables as well as roulette wheels.
“The round trip cruise up and down the mighty Mississippi River, from New Orleans to St Louis and back, covers 2,556 river miles and takes 7 days, during which the passengers will be completely enthralled by its opulent, Victorian elegance, both inside and out.
“Come with me. I’ll give you the VIP tour.”
Three hours later Red and Rex are sitting in one of the Floating Fantasies’ luxurious restaurants with the provocative name, Cherie’s Jubilee, lunching on French delicacies Red never heard of but is happy to devour.
“Well, Red, what do you think of my fifteen million dollar lady?”
“To say I’m impressed would be the understatement of the year. She emanates everything that’s appealing to the most demanding clientele and personifies class with a capital C. If you follow the Four P Rule, you should recoup your investment within five years and maybe even sooner.”
“What’s the Four P Rule?”
“It’s one of the very first things I learned as a casino manager and refers to proper publicity, people and performance. I know, it sounds simplistic, but believe me it’s not an easy rule to follow.”
“Well, Red, when it comes to the proper people portion of your rule, I think bringing you onboard would be a giant step in the right direction. Pulling an envelope from the inside pocket of his windbreaker he continues with, “I’ve put together this offer which I believe you will find very attractive. Please look it over and give it serious consideration. As for the knucklehead that’s got it in for you, don’t give him a second thought. If he comes poking around here, he’ll regret the day he was born.” Something about the way he said this had Red’s hackles doing a jig.
“I’m beginning to like this guy, but I don’t think it would be smart to get on his bad side.”
“I’ll do that, Rex. Give me a few days to dwell on it. I have to decide if this would be the right move for me. I also want to consider what heads might roll if I were to leave the Palladian Palace. There are some folks there who sided with me against upper management many times over operations and marketing issues and I was able to serve as a bulwark for them against recrimination by some of the directors. If it weren’t for their support, I would never have enjoyed the success I’ve had there.”
“I fully understand, Red, and appreciate your attitude. If you decide to make the move, you would have hiring authority and might have some spots open for some or all of the people you are worried about. Well, enough for now. I’ll anxiously be awaiting your call.”
They parted company, Red heading back to the Palladian Palace and Rex disappearing into the extremely gorgeous but catacombic, labyrinthian innards of the Floating Fantasies.
Chapter 9
The next few days don’t go by easily for Red. Commissioner Crowley, the board of directors, reporters and even some of the guests at the casino are hounding him about what he is doing to ensure that everything is on the up and up at the Palladian Palace. Fortunately, the word hasn’t pervaded the street yet about the cheating that has been plaguing the casino for weeks now.
The police have been talking with everybody they think might possibly know something about the robbery or have seen something, but so far this has gotten them nowhere. Just when it appears that their investigation is at a standstill, a bit of luck comes their way. One of the janitors at the Palladian Palace notices a skylight in a storage room across the hall from the high stakes poker rooms that is slightly open. What strikes the janitor as odd about this is that it is never open because squirrels crawl through, settle in and make a mess.
Having retrieved a ladder from one of the downstairs supply rooms off the casino floor, he heads back upstairs, passing Chuck Corrigan who just finished giving Bill Kieffer a run down on the status of their investigation which is a goose egg.
Chuck jokingly says, “Don’t tell me you have to replace a light bulb already? They just renovated all of those poker rooms. Sometimes I just don’t understand big business. They spent a small fortune fixing those rooms up to look like something you’d see in a movie and then they light them up with cheap bulbs that burn out quicker than a match and nobody can see what all that money boug
ht. Doesn’t make sense to me.”
The janitor smiled and replied, “Oh, this isn’t for changing a light bulb. Somebody opened a skylight upstairs and left it open. Why they opened it I can’t figure, but if I don’t close it we’ll soon have squirrels, birds, skunks and all other kinds of critters setting up housekeeping.”