Doc's Place

Chapter 3 | Part 5

Monday, October 1, 1984

"Let's go see Morty. He's cool," says Louise. We walk into Morty's office. He's meeting with an old guy in a suit. "Morty, Mario, I'd like you to meet the new Communications Manager, Jill Price."

Both stand and shake hands with me. Morty says, "Mario is the day shift manager in slots. He's got thirty years in the business."

"Nice to meet you," I say, shaking Mario's hand.

"How do you know," says Mario. "We just met."

"Well, your pants are dry and you're not drooling," I say. "Figure you're doing alright for an old guy."

Morty bursts out laughing while Louise looks shocked. Mario grins and says, "Oh, a comedian, uh? Maybe we oughta hand you a microphone."

Oh right, like your dick would be the size of a microphone. "Sure, Mario," I tell him. "More like a stubby pencil with one of those fat, pink erasers."

Morty cracks up again as Mario's grin widens. Louise asks what we're talking about. Morty says, "Leave Jill here, Louise. Mario and I'll take care of her."

Louise looks at us dubiously.

"Thanks for bringing her by," says Morty. After Louise nods and leaves, Morty says, "Please sit down, Jill. What do you think of Doc's Place so far?"

"Your bench strength in finance and HR sucks," I say in reply. As Morty and Mario laugh out loud, I add, "You're the first people I've met in any revenue-producing capacity."

"Seriously, Jill, we'd like you to take a look at Doc's fiftieth next year," says Morty.

Look at him. "Doc's Place opened in 1935?" I ask.

"July," says Mario.

"Hmm," I say, sitting back, thinking. Fifty years in any business is a big deal but in the US casino business, it's a historical milestone. Imagine a retrospective with archival-patina photos comparing modern-day shots. Interview some old-timers about the early days. Nah, seems boring. Ask, "What's Marketing's plan?"

"Nothing," says Mario.

"Bullshit," I say.

Mario shrugs. Morty looks at me and says, "Slot Operations has come up with events for people once they get here. We need to get them here. We also need help to boost morale and commitment among the employees so those people receive a friendly, enthusiastic reception."

"Show me," I say. We spend an hour looking at planned events in Slots. Morty calls Glenn Tyler, Director of Table Game Operations. They discuss some of their plans: new uniforms, remodeling, a historic automobile and live Old West characters out front, restaurant deals and cooperative arrangements with local motels. They tell me what they really want to revive among their loyal customers is the winning fever of the fifties and sixties when Doc's Place made all its money.

Tell them I'll research a retrospective series and get back to them.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

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Doc's Place Chat
© 2008, Michel Grover.
Chapter 3 | Part 5
Late Spring 2008

Mic :

In the left frame, I'm posting Doc's Place, one of my copyrighted stories. I'll post a part of a chapter, wait for a while so people may leave comments or questions and then post those I find interesting.

Les :

It doesn't surprise me that Jill thinks the HR and Finance pukes are idiots but thinks that the casino operations guys are just fine.

Benny :

Pretty funny too the way she's polite to the HR and Finance people but she starts swapping insults with the operations guys right away. Even swears with them. Never does that with the others. What are the non-operational people called as a group, Les?

Les :

Administrative, which doesn't include Security and Marketing. She hasn't met them yet, even though her office is located with Marketing.

Suze :

The only HR person Jill really likes is Liz, probably because she's so down to earth.

Benny :

Dick in purchasing is okay.

Maria :

Poor Louise still just doesn't get it and I doubt she ever will. She doesn't last 2 mins with those casino ops guys before Morty dismisses her. It's sad that an HR manager has no concept of what's going on around her.

Lucia :

Looking back at that portion of chapter 1, Jill didn't give a timetable for dumping Louise. Just said they needed a hard-ass to do the RIFs. By the way, what's a RIF again?

Les :

Reductions in force, fancy name for layoffs, but Jill doesn't need a timetable for dumping Louise. That woman is a windup clock and she's winding down.

Doug :

Her bus is about to leave the station and she can't wait to go.

Raj :

Her deadline nears drawing and she holds the writing implement.

Lucia :

Jill, when will you see Tan again?

Jill :

In 17 days.

Steph :

And then she sees me about 8 days after that.

Doug :

Counting the days, Stephanie.

Amalie :

Ah Lucia, you desire Tan, no?

Lucia :

She meets the perfect man and then walks away, relieved that he is making out with some blonde slut. I cannot understand or even believe it.

Suze :

ow-GOOST lay-par-TAN, I think his name was.

Alice :

Here is the entire paragraph from chapter 2, part 1, my dear: "August Lepartin, at your service, Jill," he says. "Just call me Tan." He pronounces his name Ow-GOOST Lay-par-TAN. He's probably a receiver, with sunburned skin, freckles and red hair. Tan's arm feels like steel cables under his shirt.

Lucia :

ogod, why didn't you just beg him to take you home right then, you stupid bitch?

Jill :

You know why. I had a plane to catch.

Benny :

How'd we get on this crap? I step away for a couple hours and we're talking about some Québécois Jill met on the street in downtown Reno?

Cyril :

We have 9 males and 6 females in the group, Benny, not counting Peter, Mic and Jill. The women deserve 40% of the time to make girl talk and you, my perspicacious lad, must give it them, mustn't you?

Benny :

Another word to look up

Cyril :

Get busy then. Go on, girls. Forgive the interruption.

Lucia :

A plane to catch? That's the stupidest thing you've ever said. Screw the plane!

Jill :

It's not just the plane. I had people to meet, had to move, things to do.

Lucia :

The two of you might have fallen in love. Did you consider love for one second?

Jules :

Uh, this is Jill Price you're talking to, Lucia.

Lucia :

Shut up, you stupid moron! We're talking here.

Amalie :

Lucia, the young man is a figment of your imagination. He must be 45 by now.

Lucia :

You too, you silly little schoolgirl. What would you know? You're still a virgin.

Ian :

Uh, Amalie? Lucia asked you a question. The least you could do is answer.

Carlo :

Common courtesy, Amalie.

Raj :

Close your eye and jump, Amalie, you bit the drill

Amalie :

That depends on what you call a virgin.

Lucia :

What's that mean, Amalie?

Amalie :

I was intimate with a friend my age back home.

Lucia :

When?

Amalie :

Last summer.

Lucia :

a friend

Amalie :

a girl

Lucia :

miss her

Amalie :

hurts

Lucia :

sorry

Amalie :

this young man, are you seeing him

Lucia :

doesn't know im alive, wide rcvr hangs out w/cheerldrs and im a stupd sophomore

Amalie :

what will u do

Lucia :

dont know

Amalie :

do you know as if

Lucia :

Amalie :

act as if, everyone has 1 or 2, give 1 up, c what happens

Lucia :

how

Amalie :

u tell everyone im this or that but its bullshit cause it hides u; hard but if you give 1 up, he might c u, say hi

Lucia :

really

Amalie :

Mary Mother of God

Lucia :

Okay, sorry, we're back. What were we discussing?

Mic :

Louise, her days are numbered and that's why she's not on Jill's schedule, even though she is on the hit list, sort of.

Alice :

Is she seeing a shrink

Jill :

Probably, not sure.

Jules :

She mention any physical problems?

Jill :

Can't sleep. Tried hypnosis but she didn't think it worked.

Jules :

Sounds like she wants to let go but she's trying to stay in control during the process. Doesn't realize yet that she can't do it that way.

Lucia :

tks, A

Maria :

fm me 2, A, God bless u