Out of Bounds
The Cabo San Lucas’ Grand opening was scheduled for the July 4th weekend. Many of the guests and 65% of the projected revenues would be from U.S. The hotel, restaurants and marina golf course opened a week earlier and the early feedback from players was positive. Engraved invitations were sent out the first week of June to an exclusive guest list made up of politicians, friends and whales.
July 4th and 5th were by invitation only. The third day was the official opening of the casino to the general public. Day 1 was scheduled to be a political who’s who of Mexican and North American politics. The second day was designated for “high rollers.”
Everything was comp’d; free rooms, food, drinks, golf, etc. Guests received a $100 casino chip with their name and date engraved. All high rollers believe they deserve a luxury suite, but space was limited. They had a good laugh when Ken suggested the high rollers double up.
Mary and Dave arrived Thursday, a day early. Ken and Chris had been there for a week cleaning up loose ends. The four friends commandeered a golf cart and took a tour of the marina, white sand beach and golf courses. Dave was amazed at the transformation that had taken place since his last visit.
“Mary, did you notice that there is no sand on the first golf course; everything is crushed, white rock. Even the cart paths are crushed stone rather than blacktop. Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“I knew something was different about this golf course, but I couldn’t put my finger on it” Mary replied.
“It’s not an easy course,” Ken pointed out. “There is water or natural wetlands on every hole. They did a great job in taking advantage of the natural terrain. Wait until you see the ocean course.”
“The landscaping for the entire property is awesome,” Mary said. “What a wonderful resort!”
Pedro was waiting when they returned and took them on a tour of the hotel. The first floor featured a restaurant, coffee shop, disco and cigar bar. “Mary, you have to bring Dave here this weekend” Chris said as we walked past the cigar bar. “They have three jazz musicians that are fabulous,” Chris gushed. “It’s worth putting up with the cigar smoke.”
“We’ll try it” Mary replied. “I love good jazz music. I’ll just send our clothes to the cleaners the next morning.”
The upscale restaurant and lounge occupy the top floor. “Take a look at this view” Ken said as he led them out onto the terrace balcony.
The view from the balcony was breathtaking. “Awesome,” Dave commented as he looked down on the Pacific Ocean and the white sand beaches below. The 250-slip marina to the north was packed with luxury yachts, and to the south was the ocean golf course.
“What a beautiful, romantic view,” Mary whispered as she squeezed Dave’s hand.
A 2nd story walkway connected the hotel and the casino. We walked directly into the gaming area. “We have 400 slot machines, 50 blackjack tables, 10 crap tables, Keno and Poker,” Pedro said. The casino wouldn’t open until tomorrow so the group kept on walking.
The first floor featured a buffet-style restaurant, disco lounge, bingo parlor and a large special events room that could be used to host boxing matches, conventions and the like; anything to get people into the casino.
“Dave, the third floor is where you can gamble in comfort.” It was ostentatious; private lounge, piano bar, upscale bathrooms and other amenities designed to keep the wealthy happy while they lost their money. Dave was not amused.
Two theatres were on the third floor. One housed a comedy club and the other their headliner attraction, Cirque de Soleil. “They have a 3-year contract,” Pedro mentioned.
As we walked back to the hotel Ken suggested a round of golf before dinner. “I’m ready,” Dave responded eagerly. “Let’s find Buzz and Bill.”
“I guess there is nothing for us girls to do except shop,” Mary said to Chris.
Win or lose, it would be an expensive round of golf.
That evening Mario hosted a small cocktail party for the people associated with the project. He had one of the ten luxury suites. At almost 2500 sq. ft., it was almost as big as Dave’s house. Fred and Bill were invited plus a few of Mario’s friends and business associates.
“Dave, I would like you to meet a friend of mine, Romano Montoya. Romano, Dave Bradford.”
“Mario has told me a lot about you,” Romano said with a smile as they shook hands.
“All good, I hope,” Dave replied. It appeared to Dave that Mario treated Romano with more than a little respect. Romano was more than just a casual acquaintance.
“How do we stand on the funding?” Mario asked. “Should we expect any problems?”
“Dagfin told me less than hour ago that Sven is pleased with this project, but he still wants to see two or three months of revenue from the casino before they release any more funds. As you know, we still need $350M to complete the Phase I projects plus money to start Phase II.” Dave didn’t mention the $40M deposit Mario had already spent. He wasn’t sure what Romano knew.
Mario wasn’t happy.
“Sven and Dag will be here tonight. Maybe you can talk to Sven and see if there is any flexibility.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to meeting them. Okay,” Mario continued, changing moods abruptly, “let’s get the ladies and begin the celebration. Many people have put a lot of hard work into this project.”
“Keep your fingers crossed,” Dave whispered to Ken as Mario and Romano walked away. “Mario and Sven might end up duking it out tonight.”
“My money’s on Mario,” Ken responded without smiling. They both knew the fragile partnership they had crafted might unravel quickly.
Sven and Dag arrived an hour later with their wives. Dag’s wife, Johanna, was stunning and Sven’s wife, Erica, was the perfect lady. Mary and Chris took charge of making the women comfortable while Dave and Ken introduced the men to Mario.
“Mario, I would like to present your partner, Sven Johansson, and his associate, Dagfin Jensen.”
“Mario, what a fabulous place you have built with our money,” Sven said as they shook hands. “Pedro and Dag gave me a quick tour earlier. I am impressed.”
“Thank you, as you know, we couldn’t have done this without your support. Come out on the balcony and let me point out a few things that Pedro might not have mentioned.” Mario and Sven spent the next hour talking like old friends. Mario proved he could be charming.
Sven caught me right before the party was breaking up. “Dave, I really am impressed with what your team has done here. Dag told me it was nice, but it helps to see it.”
“Thanks, Sven, I appreciate the compliment. Did Dag mention that we are almost out of money for the other Phase I projects in the Dominican Republic, Las Vegas and Miami?”
“He did. We will wire another $150M to your account.”
“That’s great, Sven; thank you.”
“Tell Mario this is the final contribution until we see results. No more money until we get three months data from the casino. My Board of Directors would have preferred six months actual data, but Dag convinced us there were time constraints.”
“I will give your message to Mario. I’m sure he will be pleased.”
Dave found Dagfin and thanked him for his support. “Dag, you are a life saver. We couldn’t have waited another six months.”
The Par 3 sixteenth was a 220 yard Par 3, the 3rd toughest hole on the course. A large bunker, hour-glass green protected the front of the elevated green. The green sloped down to collection areas on either side. Anything 15 feet to the right or left of the pin would result in a tricky, up-hill pitch.
Friday was for dignitaries, politicians and special guests; a relatively small group of 400 people that utilized only 20% of the casino’s capacity. This was by design and allowed the staff to get experience with a live audience. Training and dress rehearsals only did so much. Only 15 blackjack and two crap tables were open.
Dave’s bad luck at the tables continued Thursday. Friday he won a few hundred dollars playing craps before Mary pulled
him away.
They had front row seats to Cirque de Soleil and the show was fantastic, a combination of athleticism and dancing. The performers received a standing ovation when the show ended. Later they stopped in at the cigar bar and listened to the jazz musicians. They were as good as Chris had promised.
The big rollers moved in Saturday and the amount of gambling was heavy. Wives and friends took over the $10 minimum tables. The big hitters headed for the 3rd floor private gaming rooms where the cost of blackjack started at $100. The craps tables were packed, with $25 minimum bets.
Fred lured Dave to the 3rd floor after Mary had gone to bed. $100 per chip was above Dave’s threshold for pain, but he played anyway. In poker, there is a general rule; if you worried about the amount of money you are betting, you are not going to play good poker. You have to play your cards as they are dealt and not worry about the size of the pot. Bradford lost $18,000.
Sunday Bradford switched to craps, without any better luck. The only difference was he lost $25,000 in half the time. Pedro had approved a $10,000 line of credit for all of them, and also approved Dave’s extra draws. Bradford did not have $40,000 to cover his draws and was forced to ask Pedro to carry him for a few days. “No problem, Dave, get us the money next week. Just sign this marker for our records.”
Bradford retreated to the bar for a drink and ran into Cyndi, of all people. “What are you doing here?” he asked, although he already knew the answer? “Are you alone?”
“Well, no, I’m waiting for Kim. Mario invited us for the weekend. I would guess that Kim is with Mario now.” We talked for 15 minutes and Dave admitted that his luck was no better than it was in Nassau. Cyndi was easy to talk to.
“Here’s a key to Room 1052, Dave. Why don’t you come up in about 15 minutes and I’ll give you another backrub?”
Dave finished his drink and considered the offer. In the end, he rationalized that a backrub was better than staying down at the casino and losing more money. After losing $25,000, $500 was a cheap way to spend an hour.
He was leaving Cyndi’s room when he heard a familiar female voice. Mary and Ginny were coming down the hallway toward Ginny’s room, which was a few doors down. Mary stared at Dave with wide, disbelieving eyes. Her hands trembled as she fought back tears and anger.
Bradford would never forget the look on Mary’s face.
“How can I ever make this up to her?” he thought.
Bradford drew even for the match with a beautiful 5-wood to about 10 feet. Buzz hit the green and 2-putted for par, but Dave’s birdie putt broke right at the last moment and found the center of the cup. Dave had not forgotten Ken’s advice about reading the grain in the green. It was almost 2:00 PM and the grass was already starting to lean towards the setting sun.
The match was even with 20 holes to go.