Palais-Royal Reno
12 Wednesday December 6, 2017, Gaming Control Board Offices, Carson City, Nevada
Eulalia Merida, Gaming Control Board Agent
10:23 AM
Why is my boss, Haymaker, being such a fucking idiot today? I know he is an idiot (and drunk half the time). But this is worse.
Today was the start of my first assignment. I’m replacing an agent on sick leave in auditing the Palais Royal in Reno. It is the biggest casino in Northern Nevada and it’s a high-profile assignment. I have trained and prepared for this for three weeks!
No sooner do I get to the casino, then Haymaker calls me and says he needs me urgently back at the office. I get here only to find him sozzled. So now he has me filling out endlessly repetitive forms that I already filled out (he claims they are lost - that I believe!) It is a crime that such an incompetent drunk should be a public servant, drawing a state salary. I’ve suggested numerous ways in which the department could be better run, and he has ignored them! Last time, he almost ordered me not to have any more suggestions!
I’ve been thinking for the last week that I should report him to a Board member as incompetent and having a drinking problem. Now I’m going to, once I get these forms done!
1:43 PM
So now Haymaker called and wants me in his office. I’m going to give that drunk a piece of my mind (though I doubt he’ll remember it tomorrow)
I enter his office and see we are not alone. Rick Demarco, one of the five members of the Gaming Commission is sitting in Haymakers chair, and Steven is standing, sheepishly, beside him. (Why does he remind me of a cross between Wilkins Micawber and Uriah Heep?) DeMarco is one of the five most powerful men in Nevada gaming. And from the gossip I’ve heard, he is Primus inter pares, Πρῶτος μεταξὺ ἴσων. Sorry, “first among equals”. I forget that few have the linguistics education I have.
Maybe this is the moment I’ve waited for during the five weeks I’ve worked here. Maybe Haymaker is being fired and they want me to take over his position? It would be a logically and educated move. I’m certainly more competent that the six other slugs in the office. They seem good for nothing but to leer at me every time I walk past. I’ve stopped going to the water cooler. It’s placed low and when I bend over to get a drink, I can hear six chairs squeak.
Haymaker mumbles and DeCarlo waves him off. He stands and shakes my hand and introduces himself (an old-fashioned Gentleman). “Please take a seat, Ms. Merida.”
“How long have you been with us? four weeks? I’m sorry I haven’t had a chance to meet you earlier. Your qualifications are outstanding!” He has what looks to be my personnel folder on the desk in front of him.
Finally, someone with intelligence here! Yes, I’ll get Haymakers job! “Actually, five weeks, Mr. Demarco. And I am proud of my record, Wisconsin has one of the best Linguistics Departments in the World and I was their outstanding student!”
“Very impressive, Eulalia, may I call you Eul? Call me Rick.”
First names with him. They must really recognize my talent! “I prefer Eulalia, Rick” I could see Haymaker wince. Good!
“Ahem, Eulalia, OK,” Rick smiled. “We have big plans for you. First you show us that you can be part of the team on the Grand Palace audit, and then we’ll be talking advancement, won’t we, Haymaker?” Steven nodded and agreed unctuously.
DeMarco stood up and extended his hand. “Haymaker will brief you on how to handle the Grand Palace. There’s been some confusion and their audit won’t start for several weeks. Remember, they make almost as much money for the state as the whole rest of Northern Nevada!”
We stood and he shook my hand warmly again. Giving me a little wink, he said, “If you handle this right, I will be gratified to see you advance.”
“Handle this,” he said to Haymaker dismissively, and then left. I looked back at Haymaker with almost pity. The poor sucker was finished, he just didn’t know it. But what the hell, the lush deserved it.
3:12 PM
Haymaker then spent an hour lecturing me, somewhat incoherently, on how to kow-tow to the people at Grand Palace. Do this, don’t do this. Above all, don’t contradict the CEO, John Marcum. Don’t ask too many questions, etc.
It was a joke. What did this idiot want me to do? Just skip the audit and rubberstamp their books? I nodded and smiled. His days were numbered. No reason to argue. I’d do the extra thorough audit I had already planned. I know this job better than anyone!
Meanwhile the idiot handed me two weeks-worth of busywork. He’d better pray he doesn’t end up reporting to me. I’ll give him busywork up his fat arse!