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Chapter 1

Cas

The lights of the casino are dazzling froold, and white The picture is like one of those snowy Christhts, but in reality, it’s just a cardboard fantasy I’ve never seen snow It doesn’t snow

Inside, the noise is infinite Day flows into night and night into day Whether there’s a sun or , all the hours look the sa out tinny, and over-dressed billboards parade showgirls in fake ostrich feathers Women feed the machines coins and spin the reels, their concentration on the payline Men drinking rum or brandy at their stations—the favorite mixes with Coca Cola around here—lift their eyes as we pass

One of then “Come over here and let me show you who’s your daddy”

Next to lowers, but he avoids eye contact I’ve already told hi sex Maybe he thinks without the extra on the side I’ht

I flip off the guy and am about to pass when he says, “If you don’t want the attention, honey, you shouldn’t dress like that”

That makes me stop in my tracks

Mint grips my shoulder “C’mon, Cas”

Taking a wide stance in front of the guy, I prop my hands onlike an ice cream cone in the hot sun The blotchy skin of his cheeks turns red Bullies never think you’d take theer than you

A few men histle The attentionmy choice of wardrobe wears a khaki shirt with a fat stain on the sto socks with sandals To round off the ensemble, a comb is tucked into his sock

Leaning closer, I say, “Here’s a tip, cowboy Bad pickup line If you want soaze over him “Since you obviously do want the attention, I’ll share another secret with you Dress the part”

Laughter erupts Our spectators whistle through their teeth The guy clenches his coin cup so hard it dents in his fist