I went to the casino today. The view as you approach is very pretty especially at night. The trees are al lit up the building itself is spectacular. It was built in 1967 to be the French pavilion for the world fair. It is one on a few such buildings that were built to last more than one summer. After Expo 67 ended, France gave the building to our government which finally turned it into a casino. The inside is as impressive as the outside, there are many levels surrounding a central open area. Of course there are thousands of slot machines that blink and clatter endlessly. People sitting in front of them have a robot quality…they keep pushing the same button over and over again with a glazed look. Some people have a “fidelity card”. It looks like a credit card and works like a frequent flyer card. Every time they play a slot machine they insert the card and it registers how much was played. Since these players spend hours in front of the same machine they leave the card in the machine but in order not to loose it they usually attach it to their shirt with a clip and a red spiraling plastic leash, very reminiscent of what babies have to tie their pacifiers to their clothes. It is a bit pathetic. And to watch people hanging on to their pail of coins reminded me of people holding on to their IV pole in the hospital.
I had more fun watching the game tables. There is roulette, craps, black jack and various kinds of poker. I do not understand how these games are played but watching the people playing them is very interesting. I expected to see misery but that is not what I saw in people’s eyes. It was more a kind of feverish anticipation as if they expect every next roll to be THE one that will make them rich. I am sure there is despair for many but I did not see it. I must say I did not go to the high bidders section. I had enough with seeing people loose hundreds of bucks in one roll of dice or one hand of cards or one spin of roulette at the $10.00 tables.
I spoke to one woman who had been there for 12 straight hours…I wonder how long is the average visit…I also wonder how often people come to the casino. There was a lot of Asians tonight; I guess the stereotype takes it origin somewhere…
The croupiers are mesmerizing. They have such smooth moves. They are so fast. I wonder how long it takes to master this art…It was an interesting evening but I will never be a gambler…