Bab 332: Chapter 332: MGM Grand Hotel
In the afternoon, nearing dusk, Arthur and Joey Wong arrived in Las Vegas and checked into the MGM Grand Hotel in Paradise, Las Vegas.
Paradise is an unincorporated town in Clark County, Nevada, adjacent to the city of Las Vegas. Most of the Las Vegas Strip and the majority of Las Vegas's tourist attractions and entertainment venues are located here!
The MGM Grand Hotel is situated at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. MGM Plaza, which opened late last year, is the largest entertainment plaza in the Las Vegas area.
The MGM Grand Hotel also features the largest casino in Las Vegas!
"This is beautiful!" Joey couldn't help but praise as she entered the luxurious suite at the MGM Grand Hotel.
"As long as you like it. Are you tired?" Arthur asked affectionately, putting his arm around Joey. They had spent over five hours driving from Los Angeles.
"Not tired at all, I feel great," Joey said, giving Arthur a kiss on the cheek.
"Hmm," Arthur murmured as he kissed her on the lips. She responded passionately.
"Let's take a rest first. Later, we'll get something to eat and then visit the casino," Arthur suggested while caressing her body.
Arthur had visited the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco with Sophie Marceau last Christmas but didn't play much.
"Sure, let's do what you said. There's plenty to see here," Joey said, snuggling closer to Arthur.
A while later, in the large bathtub in the suite's bathroom, Arthur lay on top of her, nuzzling her chest.
Joey, with half-closed eyes, held onto Arthur, extending her long legs.
Close to the MGM Grand Hotel were Caesars Palace, the Luxor Hotel (which also opened last year), and the Sands Hotel, which was slated for demolition.
Numerous casinos and hotels lined the Las Vegas Strip, including the larger Excalibur and Treasure Island Hotel (which opened in 1993).
Arthur knew that the owner of the soon-to-be-demolished Sands Hotel, Sheldon Adelson, planned to build the Venetian Resort on the same site.
The investor behind the MGM Grand Hotel was none other than Arthur's acquaintance Kirk Kerkorian, who had sold MGM Movie Group for the second time a few years ago to finance the construction of the MGM Grand Hotel!
In the evening, after resting for a few hours, Arthur and Joey went to an Italian restaurant within the hotel to enjoy a meal together.
"Huh, isn't that Madonna?" Arthur said, noticing Madonna Ciccone entering the restaurant with a tall, flamboyantly dressed Black man while he was eating his steak.
"Where?" Joey followed Arthur's gaze to the entrance, "Arthur, is that really Madonna?"
Arthur nodded, "Yes, the man with her is an NBA player."
It was obvious that the Black man accompanying Madonna was Dennis Rodman, who had just transferred from the Pistons to the Spurs last year.
Even though the regular season was still ongoing, Rodman had taken time off to meet Madonna in Las Vegas.
"Madonna!" Joey looked over a few more times.
"She's performing here. After the MGM Grand Hotel opened, stars like Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson have performed here too," Arthur reminded with a smile.
The MGM Grand complex not only included a hotel and a casino but also an amusement park and a large theater.
Joey looked at Arthur, "I read in the newspapers about Michael Jackson's child molestation case. It also said he was with Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. Is that true?"
"Uh, Michael Jackson's case was a scam. As for his relationship with Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley, I don't know," Arthur said. Elvis had died in the seventies, which felt like a distant past for Arthur.
As for Lisa Marie Presley, Arthur knew even less; although she was about his age, she was a notorious Hollywood heiress known for her excessive lifestyle of alcohol and marijuana.
Besides, Lisa Marie Presley already had a son and a daughter and was still married!
After the meal, they went directly to the enormous casino under the Entertainment Dome, which housed thousands of slot machines and nearly 200 gaming tables.
The continuous flow of people and the lively atmosphere exuded the scent of money everywhere.
"Arthur, there are so many people," Joey said, holding onto Arthur's arm, noting the unique buzz of the place.
"It's no wonder they say casinos make money. It's true," Arthur said, patting her hand. He then exchanged $50,000 worth of chips, "Let's play a bit!"
"Okay."
Arthur and Joey played casually, but Arthur's mind was elsewhere. He knew that much of Hollywood's funding came from Las Vegas.
Many hotel tycoons collaborated with Hollywood film companies, and some movie producers even managed casino hotels.
The future three major casino magnates of America were Kirk Kerkorian with MGM Plaza, Steve Wynn with the Excalibur and Treasure Island Hotel, and Sheldon Adelson, who was preparing the Venetian Hotel.
It seemed very interesting. Investing in casinos was indeed a fast way to make money. Sheldon Adelson's Sands Corporation planning to build the Venetian Hotel was a great opportunity!
However, what really irked Arthur was the branding of the MGM Grand Hotel. Kirk Kerkorian had used the MGM brand for the casino.
Sony had once considered acquiring MGM Movie Group on the condition that Kirk Kerkorian completely abandon the use of the MGM brand.
Unfortunately, by that time, the new MGM Grand Hotel was already under construction, and Kerkorian did not accept Sony's condition!
Galaxy Entertainment now wanted to buy MGM, but Arthur didn't like the idea of the MGM movie brand being more associated with casino hotels.
Joey noticed that Arthur was absent-mindedly playing blackjack and whispered, "What are you thinking about? You've almost lost $10,000!"
"Ah?" Arthur looked at his chips and laughed, "We've barely started. Here, you play. I'll go get a drink."
"Me?" Joey was surprised.
Arthur nodded, "Yes, just place your bets casually like I did."
"I'll be right back," Arthur said, kissing Joey on the cheek before heading to a nearby bar, where he also ordered a cocktail for her.
*****
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