New York is the “city that never sleeps,” but for genuine insomnia you can’t top Las Vegas. I stroll though the airport at 3AM after eighteen hours of hell in O’Hare.
The place is sprawling, with garish islands of slot machines strategically placed to shake out the nickels of passersby.
It’s there I see her, a pretty girl who might be beautiful in another time and place.
She stares into the flashing screen amid a chorus of chirps and beeps, picking quarters from a souvenier plastic casion bucket and feeding them to the machine, her face a mask of despair.
This is a story based on a poem I wrote a couple of decades ago.
I wonder if he felt tempted to save her
We need the backstory here :) Good job—leaving us wondering.
Dear Josh,
I could just picture this. But then, I’ve had layovers in Las Vegas before. ;) Your last line could lead to a whole ‘nuther story. Great piece!
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks! I wrote a poem about this a few years ago. If you search for Airport on my site you should find it
You did a great job setting the scene here and making it so real. How tragic for her, to waste her life sitting there in despair.
She really does sound bored – or worse!
https://theskygirl.com/2019/06/19/the-little-pleasures-of-life-wordlesswednesday/
You imply a strong backstory here. You’ve left me curious about both what came before and what came afterwards. So sad when people give all their attention to an electronic display (said the woman who’s spent most of the day at the computer…)
How sad … how lonely. You captured it all so well!
Another dreamer crushed by the real world.
I clicked on your link – loved your poem and the text before.
And this.
I remember going to Vegas and being surprised that the whole gambling thing started right there at the airport. Excitement replaced by some desperation.
“A girl who might be beautiful in another time or place”. Loved that.
Thanks!
She was probably only there for a brief stopover. That was three years ago…
Your portrait of the girl is great – opens up a load of possible stories. Wonderful images.
I enjoyed the rhythm of this piece and opens up many possibilities.
Such a sad story – ‘might be beautiful in another place’.
Hugely intriguing!