The Casino, Episode 10: An Indecent Proposal

Welcome back to another episode of The Casino. As we discussed in my last recap, this show is full of contrived situations that don’t exactly put the “reality” in “reality TV.” But to keep this recap from degenerating into nothing but a recounting of all of the unlikely events, we’ll just signify them with a little ‘ding!’ Ready? Let’s go.

Tom says that now that the Golden Nugget is back in action, he and Tim need to spread the word. It’s nice that we get a Tom interview since I don’t think he said more than three words for all of Episode 9. Nice to see the laryngitis is all cleared up, Tom. They’ll spread the word with a big relaunch party, featuring the legendary Tony Bennett. The Golden Nugget is getting all dolled up for the occasion. Everyone from the doormen to the cocktail waitresses are getting new uniforms. Tim and Tom are even getting new tuxedoes. They are determined to create the “vintage Vegas vibe” of their dreams.

Tim calls a meeting of Golden Nugget staff. He says that with the relaunch, everyone is watching, and he and Tom are relying on the people in the room. He points out that this is Tommy’s first meeting as a host and asks him how things are going. Tommy says that he’s been specializing in booking people with a $500 buy-in, and everyone is impressed to hear that he’s averaging 40 bookings a night.

Remember Geoff Mills from a few episodes back? He was a high roller who lost tons of money, got really drunk, and started shredding cards at the Keno table. Did you miss him? Yeah, me neither, but he’s coming back to the Golden Nugget. Ding! He calls host John and says that he has something special planned for his girlfriend Kristin. Then in an interview, Geoff tells us that his plan is to propose to Kristin ding!, but that he’s too nervous about it to tell anyone ahead of time. John tells Tim that Geoff and his group are coming back. Tim asks if Geoff ever paid off his marker from his last visit. John says no, but that he has three days before it’s due. Ding! Tim says that if he doesn’t pay it off, the Nugget won’t extend any more credit to him.

Oh, good – now we’re at the part of the show that features its only redeeming quality, my boyfriend Matt Dusk. Matt is on his way to Zax, when ding! who should he run into but Tony Bennett! Matt literally gasps with excitement – he loves Tony Bennett. Tim and Tom introduce themselves to Tony. Matt starts plotting how he might get Tony to watch his show.

In the hosts’ office, John tells Tommy that he’s putting him in charge of the Mills group. That’s interesting, since Geoff called John specifically to set this up and… Ding! John says in an interview that Tommy has been doing well lately ding, and “I thought I’d just throw him a bone with the Mills group.” He thinks working with this wild bunch will be a good test for Tommy. Also, ding. Tommy is looking forward to the challenge and says that he can relate to Geoff and his crew because they like to have a good time.

Tommy rides to the Nugget in a limo with Geoff, Kristin, and Geoff’s brother Brian. Tommy knows Geoff owes the casino money, but he feels awkward about it and doesn’t know how to bring it up, if he even should. He proposes a toast to winning. In the hotel, Tommy tells them that they should get settled in their room, then he’ll meet them on the floor. Kristin says he better be planning to hang out with them. The Mills party takes off, and Richard, the veteran host that joined the Nugget in last week’s episode, says Tommy is going to have his hands full with them.

Tommy says in an interview that the suite was all set for Geoff’s group, but when they arrive in the room, they quickly discover that’s not the case. For one thing, there’s no booze in the kitchen. Geoff says in an interview that he’s nervous about proposing and could really use a drink. Brian calls down to Tommy and complains that there’s no booze, no mixers, and no vegetable platter. It cracks me up that one of their demands is crudités, but to each his own. Tommy goes to the kitchen to find out what’s going on with the food and drinks for the suite. Meanwhile, the Mills group is getting frustrated and ready to leave the suite. Finally, Tommy finds their order, which consists of Grey Goose vodka, cranberry juice, orange juice, Fiji water, Red Bull, and the all-important vegetable tray.

Tommy grabs the Red Bull and vodka and wheels it up to Geoff’s room. He runs into them in the hallway. Geoff and Brian have huge vases with them ding that they have Tommy fill with Red Bull and vodka. They head down to the casino and toast to no spilling. Tommy runs into Tim and says that the Mills group is a real handful. Tim advises him to spend extra time with them. Also, “make sure they like you,” because when they get drunk they tend to lose control. Speaking of which, Brian manages to spill his vat o’ booze on the floor.

Tim and Tom go to the showroom to watch Tony Bennett set up. Tony picks up a microphone and starts singing “Luck Be a Lady.” Tim and Tom are thrilled – this is a dream come true for them.

Geoff and company shoot some craps, and Geoff runs out of money. He asks for a $5,000 marker. Tommy explains that Geoff owes $105,000 from before and is currently down $70,000, so the pit boss denies him the additional credit. An indignant Geoff heads to the ATM, where he meets John, the director of player development. John asks him right there on the casino floor in front of everyone when he intends to repay the money. Ding! Tommy watches in amazement – he can’t believe John is asking them for the money under these circumstances. Geoff is hopping mad, so he grabs Kristin and Brian and the three of them leave the casino. Tommy chases after him like an anxious puppy, trying to smooth things over, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to work.

That night, there’s a big party as part of the relaunch. It’s a fundraiser for Tim and Tom’s friend and Nugget backer Andre Aggasi’s charity. Ah, look, there’s my boyfriend Matt Dusk! Matt performs for the crowd and looks lovely as always. Tim and Tom are happy with the event and note that they raised over $200,000 for the charity. Afterwards, Tim and Tom go to meet with Tony Bennett, and Matt tags along. When Matt gets to meet his hero, he is flustered, nervous, and positively adorable. He stammers out an invitation for Tony to come hear him sing at Zax, and Tom makes the arrangements for it to happen. Matt is positively glowing.