#10 Mystery at the big bird

Kodi woke up before Toos, on moving day.  She showered first and packed nearly all her stuff, while her buddy used the bathroom after her. The plan was to visit Liz at Della’s Kitchen one last time, and then return to the room to brush teeth, ( and in Kodi’s case ‘re-draw’ her annoying bottom lip which got thinner each year, and disappeared after eating and drinking) and pack the final toiletries. Afterwards, they would walk as slowly as possible to the front desk to check out, and continue to the Uber pick up area. Kodi yearned for days gone by, when she could change hotels mid-day, without worrying about the darn early check in fees if her room was cleaned and ready for occupancy.

The gals reverted to the breakfast platter of eggs, sausage, potatoes, and a shared slice of toast, and coffee, since they didn’t know when  they’d find the next meal.  They wouldn’t be gambling that day at Mandalay, so after a thanks and wave to their favourite server, they headed back up to the room.  While she still had internet, Kodi checked her Messages, and saw one from Toos’ daughter.  “ When you check into the Flamingo, there will be a surprise waiting for you at the front desk.”    Interesting!

Kodi had paid for three nights at Mandalay Bay, and had two comped nights, so she hoped that she might be at least able to get a resort fee or two knocked off, since she’d charged so many meals to the room. Nope…no way, nada.  It was a little disappointing, but after she got home, there would be offers arrive for 4 free nights, $100 resort credit and $140 free play.  All she had to do is save enough to buy U.S. funds, and pay the airfare, and make the now gruelling trip again.  LOL… ( Oh, and find gambling funds and food money for Tom, as well!). Never say never…

They headed away from the lobby to the rideshare area.  Every time Kodi tried to put her destination of The Flamingo in the app there were two choices….the Swimming Pool (??) or the Cromwell. What the heck? She tried both Uber and  Lyft , so figured she had to make a choice between the two destination points .  She opted for the pool, but would just tell the driver they weren’t going swimming, but were checking in, so to drop them in the correct place…haha.

They arrived just after 12:00 at the Flamingo pool ( they could actually see people off to the left of the driveway, showing I.D. and beach bag contents to security guards, as they entered the gate.)  They headed upstairs in the elevator, and walked to the lobby, which was a madhouse.

Kodi got in line and Toos waited near the stairway to the casino.  After about 35 minutes, Kodi got within a dozen or so people at the front of the line.  An employee stepped up and said to those that could hear her, “ Be aware that Check in time begins at 4:00 p.m. If you check in now, there’s a $50 early check in fee. After 1:00 p.m. that will drop to $30.”

All but a few of the dozen, including Kodi, left the line.  She went over to Toos, and explained that they could leave the bags with the Bellman, and check out the property, get a cocktail, play a few slots and check in just after 4. Toos said that was okay with her.  

They discovered that the bellman was down a set of escalators near the Lobby.  They headed down and disturbed the gal at the ‘bell desk’ reading a book.  They were told that they had to take the bags outside to leave them with the bellman.  And…as they stepped out into the heat, they saw a line with at least 20 people in it, in the direct sun.  Okay, now they decided  they should have found a drink first,  but would have to tough it out. 

There was one  man on duty, and he was greeting people brusquely, “Checking in or Checking out?” and then filling out claim checks and taking bags. They gave him their information, and he said “ Just so you know, I’m going off shift soon, so won’t be bringing your bags to the room…”.   Noted…and a $3 tip went to him for the two carry-ons, as he’d hoped.  Toos rolled her eyes at Kodi, who said as they walked away, “Would you want to be standing out here in this heat handling some of those big bags?”  They went back up to the lobby area which was still overflowing, and down a couple of steps into the casino… quickly finding side by side seats, putting $20 into their machines, while they searched for a cocktail server. They were parched.   They were near a bar, and girls came, they went, they called out, but not in their section. 

Kodi spotted one coming their way, who got her max # of requests, and headed for the bar. So, they would be next, right?  She delivered her drinks and headed in the opposite direction, just out of earshot obviously, of Kodi calling out into the cacophony of this area of the casino.  It took them 25 minutes to get a drink, and Toos had sworn she was going to go to the bar and pay for a cola, as she was feeling lightheaded by the time Kodi got the attention of the unsmiling girl in their section.  They made sure to get a bottle of water with their other beverage.  Off to Toos’ left, some people had been served at least 3 times, but she was told by that girl, when she’d gotten her attention,  she wasn’t allowed to cross that aisle.  There were no empty seats in her area either, or they would have moved .

Kodi suggested they take a little walk, and she’d show Toos the gardens.  They wandered outside, and visited the flamingos, turtles, ducks, and koi, and eventually settled on some benches, but the sunshine was bright and it was dry and hot, so Toos asked if they could  go back inside at that point, into the air conditioning.

There really wasn’t anywhere out of the heat to sit, unless they gambled, so Toos said she’d pay the $30 just to get into the room.  Kodi said they could share the cost, and they had their keys by 2:30.  When Kodi asked about the ‘surprise’ for them the harried clerk said she would check, but if it wasn’t an envelope, the front desk would not have it.  She walked to the other end of the desk, and came back saying there was nothing for them.  She told Kodi it would probably be at the Fed Ex office if it was a package and not an envelope .  So off they went down the corridor after enquiring where that was located. The lady there was very pleasant and wanted to help, but…no, nothing had come for them.  She suggested talking to the Bell Desk, because sometimes things were delivered there if they weren’t actually boxes, or small packages. Back to the other end of the hall and into the lobby they trekked, both cursing and whimpering.  Down the escalator they limped… The gal at the small Bell Desk was still reading her book, getting distracted by those two Desperate Dames with Canes a second time.  She checked her records and said that , indeed, there was a delivery for them, but it was large…and she examined them with a critical eye, as they leaned on their canes and hugged  their big purses.  “ Could the bellman deliver it to their room with the luggage?  “ Kodi asked. Certainly. She would make a note of that.

Back to the lobby, and across the casino, finding the Habitat elevators and staggering into them, the Dames with Canes, we’re nearly home , finally.  The room, as requested, was close to the elevators, thank God, and there was a fridge for the insulin. 

But, wait there’s more! Umm, actually there isn’t.  

Kodi had chosen a Queen room with a High Roller view,  (and they’d seen an example of the view she was expecting, when they’d stepped off the elevators) 

She had wanted Toos to enjoy that pretty feature each night.…but the big wheel was nowhere in sight after they opened the curtains in their room.

“Do you want me to ask for a room change tomorrow?”  Kodi asked.  “No, I can’t face moving again”, said Toos.  Much to Kodi’s relief.  

They both collapsed on their beds…but Kodi soon reached for the phone and called down for the luggage, and the surprise…