I actually got Bruno to give me a $1 and a $5 a few years ago. I drove up there and was told he went to Reno to the doctor. My wife and I had lunch (got the ravioli), drove around Gerlach, took a few photos, drove out to the Playa bought some chips and a couple ashtrays from Joe's bar next door to Bruno's, took a nap in the car, and waited for him to come back. When he did late in the day, I bought a couple beers so he could see I was a paying customer, complimented him on his ravioli, which was actually pretty good, and spoke a little Italian with him, which he got a kick out of. He gave me a token out of his vault, and I asked him if it would be possible to get a couple of chips too. I had to promise him that I was a collector not a dealer and that I wouldn't sell them. I wasn't sure if he'd do it, I'd heard a few stories where it didn't end so well for other chippers who made similar requests, but he left and a few minutes later he came back with a $1 and a $5! I was thrilled, and it is one of my favorite chipping memories to have met him, taken the road trip up there and to Black Rock, and to actually have him give me a couple chips. I was very fortunate that day. I'm sad he's gone.
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