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A Guest Harvest Adv. Story REGGIE
A couple of weeks back, I heard that the Gardens had opened its new casino building, so an evening trip was called for to see what surprises awaited.
The old structure, still known to most Californians as the Hawaiian Gardens Casino, has been reduced to rubble. Parking is still on the east side of the premises, but patrons have to walk under a long covered walkway to get to the new two-story building. Upon entering, I was struck by the elegant silver dolphins jumping out of the fountain in the lobby.
I exclaimed: "Quit hitting me, you stupid dolphins!"
Next it was time for a most important task: visiting the men's room. I was surprised to see goldfish in the lavatory sinks.
Then, on to the tables where I saw . . . nothing that looked new. So my next visit was to a cashier. By the way, the old casino had something like a half-dozen cashiers scattered about. This new one seemed to have only two cages, located side-by-side. I asked the cashier if they had any new chips out for the grand opening. "Yes, we have new $1,000 chips," she replied. Told her that was a bit steep, how about any lower denominations?
"Oh, yes, we have new $25's," she said, ruffling through her stock. "But I can't find any right now. Actually they look just like the other twenty-fives, but they are new!"
At this point I deduced I was speaking to Gracie Allen III, so I excused myself and asked a somewhat dour cashier at the second cage about new $25 chips. Told there were none.
Passed by a fascinating sign at one table, "English Only Must Be Spoken When Cards Are In Play." Felt like asking the idle dealer, "Por quë señor?"
And exited the building, looking for the volcano that used to be outside. Alas, it was gone, a victim of the construction. The only active volcano in California and reason to visit Hawaiian Gardens, and it was GONE!
Sometimes chip trips are just good for use of the men's room.
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