A sad girl in Dublin and a table for 2 in the dark, please.Tuesday the 19th..

Tuesday morning, they stayed in the room for a while, and after Tom drank his orange juice , he headed down to Earl of Sandwich and grabbed a ham and Swiss for himself and a Tuna Melt for Kodi. They both had nearly full bottles of water they had brought up to the room the night before, and put into the little included fridge, with the juice.  It was a satisfying if different kind of breakfast.

Today they were just going to wander around the mall, and play in the casino .  Kodi was weary and they had plans to go out around dinner time.  She had wanted to go to Harrahs to see Big Elvis this trip..as she always tried to watch him perform him at least once every trip if she was staying on the Strip.   He had recently lost a considerable amount of weight, and had also been unable to perform for 5 months because of long Covid, coming back to work just a couple of weeks before.

On Pete Vallee’s ( Big Elvis) Facebook page the day before , she had seen a notice about a show he would be putting on during Happy Hour at the Golden Tiki , in China Town on the 19th.  So…Tiki Bar which they’d never been to, Happy Hour, and Big Elvis all at once…it was a date!   She’d had to make a reservation for a table, and they would be allowed to have it for a maximum of 2 hours.  Their table was booked for 6:45 and Happy Hour, and the show started at 7:00.

Kodi and Tom were walking around looking for something that tickled their fancy, when Kodi spotted the first coin that she’d seen on any floor this trip.  Anyone who has traveled along with Kodi in the past knows exactly what happened next.  Yep…she popped it into her bra for luck.   

Shortly afterwards, she found a slot that entertained her for a couple of hours…Invaders From the Planet Moolah.   There was a group of Irish lads there the entire time she was, playing a machine at the other end of the row and having a grand old time.  They were discussing a recent bad break up that one of them had just been through.  They spoke loudly enough that she wasn’t missing many details .  It was apparent that they all had been enjoying quite a few tasty beverages and it seemed that two of them were going to share any winnings they had. Kodi kept glancing down and smiling at them. She loved listening to their sexy accents.  

She was finally down to $18 after having had multiple bonuses keeping her afloat. The Irish fellow hit a ‘Mythical Unicow’ and a lot of cheering and backslapping took place.  She was not sure how much he’d  won , but he cashed out immediately, and his friend took the ticket and then came back and handed him the money, which it appears they split evenly.  

They got up to leave at that point, laughing and jostling each other, and when they walked past Kodi, the fellow who had been playing, suddenly turned back grinning, and said to her…” This was left over. Maybe it will bring you some luck.” He then pressed $15 into her hand.  She was flabbergasted, and yes…she put it right into her machine, and hit a bonus immediately, playing for another half hour, and cashing out at $50.🤩👍   It was time to shower and get ready for the evening.

They had never been to China Town in Vegas before…even though it was not far from the strip.  They called for an Uber at 6:20 and were safely deposited at the little plaza where the Golden Tiki is at just after 6:30.  The cost of the Ride was just over $12 plus tip.

Having a few minutes before their reservation, they walked the length of the strip Mall in both directions. There were a number of interesting Asian restaurants…and one specialty 🍤 shrimp place where the garlic butter aroma wafted out when the door opened and made Kodi’s mouth literally water. Not Tom’s deal of course, but she felt like she could really, really have a lot of fun in there.

They entered the big double door of the Golden Tiki and walked into the large dimly lit room.  It took a moment or two for their eyes to adjust to the dark, as they were greeted by the young gentleman to their right.  They gave him their name and reservation time and he took them to a high top table with three chairs.  They wouldn’t be able to see the stage from their location, but the sound system seemed excellent, so they weren’t concerned.  

They were given regular menus, and told their server that they would want to order from the happy hour menu.  She explained that she could not put anything into the kitchen until 7:00 but gave it to them the peruse.

Since Tom doesn’t  ‘do’ spices,  they ordered the chips and dip, and the server assured Tom that the meatballs were not spicy, but more sweet …in spite of how they sounded..so they ordered them to share , and Kodi got the coconut shrimp.  Neither is a big drinker, so they each ordered a Blue Lagoon, and asked for glasses of water as well.  

In the end, Tom only ate one meatball, because he found them too spicy.😉 He also get the pineapple garnish . Kodi convinced him to order another plate of the chips and very tasty French Onion dip, since this was his supper, LOL.  Everything was well prepared and tasty, and the service was excellent .

The saw Big Elvis and his crew arrive and head down the other side of the bar from where they were,  so didn’t have a chance to acknowledge him.  He was walking with a cane but not struggling like she’d seen him do in the past.

Once the music started, they munched and sipped and listened. Kodi danced in her chair when favourite songs were sung.  A lady approached and putting her hands either side of the extra chair at their table asked if they were using it. They both replied that they weren’t, and she took it with her over to the bar where someone shuffled a couple of stools so she could fit it in.  

When the server came by later to check on them and give them the 30 minute ‘heads up’ for their table time, she asked where the other chair had gone, mentioning that her next party had 3 people in it.  They told her, and went back to munching and sipping, and listening ( and yes, Kodi glancing over to the left from time to time.. .). Their server was talking to the lady who had taken the chair, and there was another person with them. Voices were raised, but the server then left and went to attend other tables. A few minutes later the lady who had removed the chair stormed past them and out the door.

Kodi needed to use the restroom, which was at the back of the Tiki Bar, and passed by the little stage when she did. Her phone was in her bag, so when she finished, she stood and listened and watched Big Elvis for a few moments, taking some pictures.  He looked great and sang as beautifully as ever.

Big Elvis’ buddy, Josh.

He fitted into the seat with lots of room!

The ladies washroom was a hoot!  There was a display of ‘museum quality’ phallic symbols.  The stall doors we’re giving each gal who entered quite a giggle, as was the running commentary about the items in the display.

As Big Elvis was preparing to take a break, it was the time for Kodi’s table to be cleared and cleaned for the next party. When the server brought the chair back, and presented them with the tab, Kodi apologized for letting anyone take the chair, and guessed that the woman was  mad at them, and embarrassed , causing her to leave so abruptly.  The server explained, that it had been a domestic dispute.  The woman’s husband was supposed to have reserved a table, and he thought he actually had done so, but apparently hadn’t hit the ‘submit’ button, so there was no record of it.  It was HIM the lady was angry at, and Him that was embarrassed, because the bar space was full, and cramped.  The Kodis hadn’t noticed him, but he may have been the person standing next to the server during the chair discussion that Kodi had observed .  What a shame that their entire evening had been ruined.

Tom and Sandy would recommend this Happy Hour whenever there is entertainment booked, as the food and service were excellent.  It’s something off their bucket list, but they’d love to go again, with others who are in Town at the same time they are…( At the moment, Big Elvis is performing one night a month during the Golden Tiki Happy Hour.) 

Lyft back home to Mirage at 9 p.m. was $15 plus tip.

Kodi felt supercharged and stayed up until well after midnight,  playing Dragon Link Happy and Prosperous. She was getting sleepy, her money was almost gone and she was getting annoyed at the lady to her left who was hovering, as she watched her husband play, and came over any time KODI got a bonus, giving a blow by blow commentary to him. This is something Kodi hated…she likes to be low key as she gambles and the few small jackpots she’d ever won made her hit spin a.s.a.p. so no onlookers would gather , LOL.  

This gal also was smoking and waving the cigarette around between puffs.  Kodi tried to give her a hint, by pushing the smoke away from her own face whenever she walked around the machine and near her, but she was hyped up and oblivious.

THEN….Kodi hit her first ever Major on a link machine, and the girl squealed and called to her husband to “Come see this”.  That was enough of this bullshi* for Kodi. As soon as the total began to accumulate, she hit the spin button a few times to change the screen…then thought…”OMG, I didn’t get a picture!” 😩  She took her ticket for $584 ($537 Major) and cashed it. She excitedly hurried up to the room, only to find Tom sound asleep 💤.  She put the money in the Take Home Envelope and fell into bed ( after carefully placing her lucky penny next to her bra) , later dreaming of all the Majors in her future.