Black Box
It's too late. For you. For me. For the next unlucky soul through the door. This is all there is. And now, you're here. Get used to it.
las vegas, nevada. just off the strip. cracked sidewalks and potholed streets. the smell of filth leaks from concrete pores, the stink of rotting humans and forgotten garbage piled in hidden alleys.
the polished jet facade of the black box fakes a beetle's iridescent shimmer in the reflected neon light.
dangerous. fascinating. irresistible.
the doorman smiles and ushers you toward the casino's slowly revolving door.
inside, your are assaulted by the luxe atmosphere. everything drips of quiet indulgence and tasteful excess. the air is perfumed with the promise of impossible things. decadent. familiar. enticing, it draws you in like returning to the home you forgot you missed.
the black marble floor is polished to a surreal glow. a thick line of inlaid goldstone guides you forward.
through the grand Foyer with its tidy line of luggage carts and comfortable-looking benches.
past the sultry and alluring entrance to Rick's Café Jazz.
and into the spacious Lobby.
plush black carpet inlaid with a rioting carnival of poker chips in verdigris, fuchsia, and gold. The dancing rhythm of the carpet leads you forward.
you wander between deep couches of black velvet adorned with throw pillows of orchid silk, turquoise satin, and gold sequins and comfortable chairs in coordinating colors arranged in cozy conversation clusters around cube-shaped black lacquer tables topped with flickering votive candles in cut crystal holders.
on the far side of the lobby, you reach the hard curves of the polished ebony registration desk. the darkly reflective surface is layered with flecks of real gold. the effect lends an illusion of decadence to your shadowy reflection.
burnished gold letters on a matte black placard give the Concierge's name. Geofrey. He is patient and polite as he assures you yes, you have a reservation. also, an unlimited line of credit courtesy of the Black Aces.
Purpose / Function
first built as a casino with attached bar and theater, the hotel rooms were added in the late 40s. the Outdoor Pool is original construction, while the Indoor Pool was added in 1960.
Entries
a single massive revolving door with panels as smooth and shiny as mirrors and accented with gold push-bars. it spins slowly as the doorman tips his hat, smile, and gestures for likely looking passers-by to enter.
inside the labyrinth beyond the lobby, there are many glowing exit signs, each leading to a hallway full of doors and turns, none of which ever seem to be a way out.
time is unstable within the casino. people age, but slowly. tomorrow never seems to come and places are not always where you remember them to be.
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