Chapter 1

March 16th, 2020

Kenna

I nervously tapped my foot into the carpet of the expansive convention hall of the Bellagio casino. I was sitting on an uncomfortable folding chair along with 300 of my co-workers. I tried to hold back a yawn, because I’d ended my shift at midnight and was told before I left that there would be an 8:00 am meeting the following morning. When management called all employees except those working on the casino floor for a mandatory meeting, there was no way the news would be good. It was rumored that Brad Jenkins, the head of casino operations, had an important announcement to make, and I was dreading whatever he was going to tell us.

I’d been working for the last five years as a cocktail server. It wasn’t the greatest job, but I made good tips and was able to support myself. I had a nice car and a small one-bedroom apartment on Tropicana. Even though I’d graduated from high school, going to college never interested me. That was the nice thing about growing up in Las Vegas; I didn’t need an advanced degree to work in the service industry. I was tall and pretty, and I could act flirty when I needed to in order to get good tips. I didn’t even mind the occasional roaming hands by men old enough to be my grandfather as long as they gave me a green chip in compensation.

“So what do you think this is about, Kenna?” my best friend and coworker, Darlene, asked me.

“I don’t know, but I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

Mr. Jenkins appeared from almost out of nowhere and walked up onto the makeshift stage. He tapped the microphone a couple of times, checking the sound and producing an irritating, screeching feedback that immediately got everyone’s attention, and the room went silent in anticipation.

“First, I’d like to thank each of you for your attendance this morning; I know it was short notice.” He took a deep breath and collected his thoughts before dropping the bomb on us. “We received word from Governor Sisolak last night that effective Wednesday, March 18th, we will be required to cease all casino operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

A large collective groan could be heard from the entire crowd and my stomach immediately began to churn.

He continued, “This not only affects us but all other casinos in Clark County as well as the entire state.”

Darlene turned and whispered into my ear, “Did you expect this?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” I replied.

I’d been watching the news religiously, something I rarely did, and there had been rumors swirling around for a week that the governor would put the state on lockdown. My worst fears were realized.

“For the next two days, if you’re on the schedule, we expect you to work your shifts, but we will close the doors at midnight Wednesday morning.”

There were murmurs and whispers throughout the entire convention room, and he gave the crowd several seconds to settle back down so he could continue talking.

“Our human resources department will be contacting you via our email system to give you updates and information concerning the procedures for filing for unemployment. I wish I had more information to give you, but at this time that’s all I know. I want to thank each of you for your dedication and service to MGM Resorts International; thank you.”

I looked over and saw tears welling up in Darlene’s eyes. “What does this mean, Kenna?” she asked.

“It means that for the foreseeable future we’re all pretty much fucked.”

My stomach was churning and I was fairly certain I’d have to make a trip to the bathroom, because suddenly I wasn’t sure the bagel I’d eaten on the way here was going to stay in my stomach. Because of my current schedule, my two days off were Monday and Tuesday, which effectively meant I was now unemployed. I took a moment to take stock of my situation.

Basically, I was broke. I had no savings to speak of, and my reckless purchases of clothes and shoes were now coming back to haunt me with a vengeance. I’d been looking into enrolling in the 401(k) program, but I’d stupidly procrastinated and put it off. I’d just paid my rent, but without a paycheck and tips I had no way to pay for next month. If I was lucky, I’d be able to pay my car loan and make minimum payments on my maxed-out credit cards once I was drawing unemployment. However, in two weeks I’d have no way to keep my landlord at bay and buy food.

“I have to go, Darlene, I’m going to be sick. I’ll call you later.”

I barely made it to the restroom before emptying the contents of my stomach into the toilet. After I vomited, I sat on the commode as tears ran down my cheeks and I started to sob uncontrollably. I needed help, and the only man I could ask was someone I hadn’t spoken to in over two years. As if things couldn’t possibly get worse...

“Thank you for letting me take you to lunch, Daddy, I’ve missed you.”

I sat across from the only man that I could never find a way to get along with. He’d agreed to meet me for lunch at his favorite restaurant in Summerlin, the Vintner Grill. Because it was almost 70 degrees, I’d chosen to wear a little white sundress and my favorite pair of Charter Club Ginifur wedge sandals. I’d hoped that my pretty little sundress and sexy shoes would put him in a good mood; of course, I was wrong.

He shot me a skeptical look. “I heard about the lockdown on the news this morning and I expected to hear from you, just not this soon,” he said gruffly.

I sank down in my chair and tried to keep the tone in my voice light and upbeat. “I just missed you and I wanted to ... you know ... reconnect and see how you were doing.”

A little grin broke across his face. “I think that’s bullshit, but I appreciate the lie, it’s a nice touch.”

I ran the tip of my finger around the rim of my wineglass and our eyes uneasily met. “I lost my job this morning and I ... I need help.”