you walk along the strip, passing by a crowd of people circled around a performance in the center. you squeeze into the crowd to catch a glimpse. there is nobody performing.
everyone talks about how beautiful and fun the Luxur casino is. you've seen people go in, but nobody's come out.
there's an unspoken rule about going into the desert at night.
las vegas never sleeps. you get used to the same music blasting every night, from somewhere far away. as you tuck yourself into bed tonight, you hear it close by. it is not music.
the receptionist at caesars palace hasn't stopped smiling since you've walked in. "you will enjoy your stay," she tells you. everyone is smiling at you. there are no exits.
there is heavy traffic on the I-15. all roads are blocked. you try to repress the thought that there is somebody who doesn't want you leaving or entering the city.
you've never seen the restaurants close. you try asking someone if they all stay open all the time. their eyes drool over. they are so hungry.
it is 120 degrees out. you don't remember the last time you've seen a bird. everyone is out. enjoy the sun, they tell you. it is only getting hotter.
the house always wins. it has won and taken hold of every tourist and their dreams, goals, thoughts. if they leave, they leave as sinners. but they usually never leave.
what happens in vegas, stays in vegas. the casinos make sure of that. there are no windows and no clocks to tell you what time it is. you do not know how many days have gone by since you've left, but the casinos make sure you won't be missed.
it's finally rained. the heat is engulfed by water and everyone is happy. but you know not to let the water touch you. it promises to wash away your sins but promises are not meant to be kept here. the next morning, bodies will be missing in the floods.
you can feel the sphinx eyes bore into your soul. it is watching. it is judging.
everybody is huddled, ready to see the ball drop. there's a big display of the time, counting down to New Years. 3...2... they all cheer. but the clock never hits 1. the street goes silent.
