My Introduction to Fitz and the Nevada Club

I was discharged from the Navy in 1956, my wife and daughter were living here, so I ended up in Reno. Saw an ad in the paper, “Dealer Trainees” … answered the ad.
  My knees were shaking, I was scared to death. So many people told me about the Nevada Club ….. And FITZ …. Purple Gang, Chesterfield Club, in Detroit, mob hit on Fitz.
  I entered the club, around 1 pm, noise everywhere, a totally different atmosphere than I was used to. Found the “cage” … an elderly white haired man was behind the grillwork. I don’t know what I said. He asked a few questions. From where, married, children, education …. “Take this to the police station, get fingerprinted, and come back here.”    That was the response I got.
  I did as told, and when finished, went back to THE CLUB ….  As I recall, Fitz made a phone call, looked at me and said, “Be here at 3 in the morning, wear a white shirt and tie.”
  I left, still scared to death, probably now more so. I think I had a job, didn’t know what it would be, but I started in the morning … at 3.
  Went home, ironed a shirt, tried to get some sleep, couldn’t … got ready about 2 and headed for The Nevada Club, in my white shirt, and with a tie.
  2:45 AM walked back up to the cage, Fitz was still there … “Go to the post and tell Mark you are starting.” Fortunately, he pointed to a post in the middle of some 21 tables, so I knew where to go.
  Mark … “Did you ever deal before?”
  “No,” I replied.
  “Ever shill”?
  “No”
  He handed me a handful of silver dollars and told me to go to table 3, he pointed to it, so I knew where to go.
  There were two women dealers on that table …. Thelma Ganz and Bettye Johnson, two extremely attractive women. They asked if I knew anything about what I was doing. I replied no.
  “Stand over there, put a dollar on this line, and throw the dice … all the way down and half way back. And, pay attention to what we do.”
  I did this for an hour, threw the dice, made my dollar bets, learned when I won and when I lost, listened to them do their “spiel” when they had the stick, and absorbed a little of what they were doing.
  After an hour of this, Mark came over and told me to take a 30 minute break, and then come back to the “post.”
  On that break I had my first taste of Fitz’s food. Open faced prime rib on a French roll … a big French roll … with lots of Prime Rib…. And juice …. And fries … and, I think it was $1.95. A heck of a meal. And, here was I, Joe Dooley, from Dayton, Ohio, working in a Gambling Hall in Reno, Nevada, in my white shirt … with French Cuffs and gold cuff links. I was extremely impressed. Even got a few “glances and comments” from tourists … “I think he is a DEALER, they could tell by my little green apron.” 
  Went back to the post, Mark told me to go upstairs and report to Bettye and Thelma.
  The second floor was empty .. 4:30 AM … slow weekday evening, we had it all to ourselves.
  They put me BEHIND the table … handed me the stick … and told me to DEAL….
  Ugh …. "Coming out" …. I clumsily handed one of them the dice … called out a number when they stopped …. Took some dollars … spilled some dollars … paid a bet … totally at a loss… ….
  CALM DOWN … First roll of the dice … the customer winds on 7 and 11 … you win on 2, 3 and 12 ….. Any other number … put that marker on it …. Learn how to handle that silver … do this … do that …. This way …..
  We did this for an hour or so …. Went by fast … but got another break .. This time, I went with Thelma and Bettye … WOW …. I really am a dealer ….
  In those days, the girls wore western pants, but with Nevada Club blouses.
  Thelma was TALL …. Slim, and in those pants ….. Great … Bettye was smaller, 5’6”.. Blonde, classy, gorgeous. I’m in heaven
  The rest of the night went that way …. Working with the silver dollars, learning how to “call” on the stick … when I win … and when I lose…. The time flew by. At 11 AM, they told me to report to Mark for my schedule …. I passed my first night. I was exhausted, went home and fell asleep … slept all day and evening …..
  Day 2 … same basic program, but with other people, and started learning some of the payoffs, and shortcuts on payoffs, more work on handling SILVER … .
  This went on for about two weeks. A LOT of learning, so many bets … odds, 5 to 6, 2 to 1, 3 to 2 …. Hard ways, elevens, craps, big six and eight … propositions, wow, soooo many … eleven is time and a half … what does that mean. … OH … bet and half the bet and add a zero.. OK. Bet is 6 dollars … pays 15 to 1 …. Six and 3 is 9, add a 0 … bet gets 90 dollars. That’s easy enough. Or, a stack and half a stack ….
  Thelma taught me how to handle the silver dollars. Get used to holding about 20 or so in your hands … drop five …. Drop five …. Drop five …. Learn to drop five … get that index finger moving smoother …. Too much noise … smooth …. Easy …. Soft … drop five … Now, learn how to do it with BOTH hands … no thumbs ...NO thumb jamming.. Straight out …
  NO ONE could handle silver like Thelma … she had long tapered fingers, and she caressed the silver dollars … it was almost a sensual experience watching her with the silver dollars … at times I would forget what I was supposed to be learning … she was good. Dealers used to stop and watch her when she was on the wheel. Her movements were beautiful and smooth. She was good.
  If anyone finds this site, I would love to hear from any “old” …. “clerks” as we were called in those days. IRS had no place for us …. So we were clerks. Often heard the expression, “He’s a good clerk.”
  Many good memories of Reno. It was a great city then. A few blocks of gambling, and then a pretty normal city. I think they used to say that there were more churches per capita in Reno than anywhere else in the country.

I put some fotos up, not sure if this will work or not. Below is the link, copy and drop in your address line.

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joedooley/slideshow?&.dir=/5306&.src=ph

Some old fotos on the site. Fit's backdoor on the alley. The one in the club looks to be early 50's. The one of the man in the white work suit .. a policeman ... this is the spot where Fitz was shot, allegedly by a member of the old Purple Gang, a reminder that he owed then money. He lived, but was pretty well banged up from the waist down. I think this was in the late 40's.

The excitement is OVER

The NBA draft is over, the excitement has drawn down, and life gets back to normal. Unfortunately, I missed seeing the draft, I guess it was on. We now have a lot of high schoolers who are millionaires ... see, that HS diploma does pay off. Actually, the HS diploma was worth more than the college degree... strange.

Biggest dissapointment ... Martina got knocked off. It was great seeing her again. I think she is one of the great competitors of my lifetime. I think she is still in the doubles, so hopefully can still see her.

Yesterday, Wimbledon, a great example of "sportscasters" causing nausea in listeners. I am not a big tennsi fan, I enjoy watching some of it. Yesterday, a judge made a bad call, missed a point or something like that. Williams was losing, she lost the first set, she was being worked over by her opponent ... simple. BUT, all those jackass commentators could talk about was the mistake. "Worst thing that ever happened" .. type of comments. on and on and on. They even cut in on the Martina match to an interview with Williams ... who acknowledged she got beaat. They tried so hard to make her upset, she was not upset, her father was not upset, no one seemed to be, just all the jackass commentators. If there ever is another holacaust, I hope newcasters, sports announcers and commentators are the first to go .... reporting is a thing of the past ... they have all taken on an air of self importance ... they think they are bigger than the news or the event .... a microphone must have a similar effect as drugs and booze ... they go nuts. Bob Trumpy who was an ex jock with the Bengals, and then did a "Talk" show in Cincinnati on WLW ... good when he started. They the "talk" becomes .... "my opinion" ... and they .. "you stupid jerk, think the same way that I do" ... .type of thing.

There are no more "talk" shows ... your opinion doesn't matter, if it is different than the host ... you are stupid. Look at Howard Stern ... Springer, Morey (or whatever his name is) .. can you imagine Springer getting in to the broadcasters hall of fame because of his talent .... "holding a microphone" so exposure can take place, and inciting mock fights.Think about that ... he wants to become a politician ... he was and screwed that up ... didn't he write a check to a hooker or something like that .... good he didn't opt for brain surgery. He must be proud of his accomplishments. How many in the world could be successfull, if given the venue ... hold up this microphone so people can insult other people we have on stage .... hookers, deviates, cross dressers, convicts, perverts ... and then show us their breasts, butts, .... I wonder when the guys are going too start exposing, they will have to do something new, seen it all so far ... Jerry must be proud of his accomplishments. Saddest part, he is from Ohio ... I think went to OU ... so proud.

Don't know how I got off on that tangent ...... later

I am Thankful for Spider Solitaire

I am so thankful to have Spider Solitaire on my new computer, it has been a lifesaver, and has had a tranquilizing effect on me. Let me explain.

A few months ago we got a new computer, had lots of all the stuff you need, the ram stuff and all the other memories, and it was fast. So, at the same time we got the DSL, I think it is. It was so fast it almost anticipated what you wanted to do next. Loved it. Had the newest Microsoft Publisher, which I use and love, and other neat software. 2 disc drives, make your own Cd’s, surround stereo sound, a new cute box with 6 lights on it (for the DSL). Loved it, it worked great.

And then, our granddaughter really started loving us, DOWNLOAD MUSIC. Downloaded a new program to help DOWNLOAD MUSIC, and some other stuff to make her communications with friends easier. We acquired 4 or 5 new WEB BARS …. DEMANDING ONES, and the amazing part, none of them could be found on our computer. Something like find4U took over. Search find4U, not on the computer. I wanted my YAHOO to be my opening page, when I went to the WWW, NNNOOOO, find 4 u wanted that job. AND, it still is.

BUT, there are instructions I found on how to take it off. 2 different ways to do it. Bill Gates could not understand those instructions. So, find4u now owns our computer. And also, now, it locks up … most of the time, especially when you are in the middle of something important … happens all the time. But, when it locks up, hit start, and there is SPIDER SOLITARE … it is like the US Postal service … neither sleet, etc … spider solitaire comes up and you can play it.. I had 5 windows locked and frozen, keyboard was dead on all of them, nothing worked ….. Start, spider, so I played a couple of games and then shut the computer down.

I am just at the one color level, I have tried two, but lose too often, three, gonna be a while. I think too, it knows when I am really frustrated, and it lets me win easily. Other times it is tougher. But is always there for me. Matter of fact, to be on the safe side, I am doing this BLOG in Publisher, going to save it, copy it, and then go to my blog site, just so I have it. I’ve lost two BLOGS now that I really liked, got near the end, and the keyboard locked up, so I am not taking any chances.

Went to school yesterday, in Columbus, learning how to sell Aidell’s Sausage. I’m gonna be a specialist. Get a neat new table, crock pots, skillet, umbrella, shirt, hat, apron, lots of neat stuff. This Friday, the 24th, gonna do the old COFFEE DEMO … the one that caught on fire the last time. … Friday, Saturday and Sunday ….. Coffee Machine, Potatoes and toilet paper, I am versatile .. But, I think the toilet paper is the last one …. Makes sense.

Could it possibly be Bobby Knight????

I DON'T THINK anyone reads these, so I can express any opinion I want and not worry about controversy.
I THINK that Mr Knight, Mr. Basketball, will eventually end up at THE Ohio State University as head basketball coach. He is the only person around who could bring OSU BBall back to prominence, and he could do it in a few years. I have not heard who they are even considering, but if they don't consider Bobby, they are wrong. He could be, and is, Ohio State Basketball. I doubt if he is considered the strict disciplinarian that he once was. I think the perception would be that he has mellowed a bit.
COULD they control him, and would they try. I think they would set parameters for him ... he stayed within them there would be no problem. He would have the buckeyes in the FINAL FOUR in 3 or 4 years. No one else could do that. Maybe they can bring Eldon Miller back. I don't see anyone else around that could do to the program what he could. Maybe he would not consider it. From what I have heard, he would consider it.
BUT I DON'T THINK THE OBRIEN this is resolved, he could own the university before it is all over. I think someone jumped the gun on his dismissal ... OSU screwed up again in my estimation. I think there next personnel change should be in the AD department. Seems like when they get a good one ... they can't hold on to them.
I DON"T think there is anyone more scarlet and grey, with those credentials, who could fill the bill. I think also, that OSU is getting a BAD reputation, and quality coaches are not looking to come here. To me, the jury is still out on the football coach. He got lucky and won a National, but I don't think ever again. A few plays going the other way and no championship. To me, they were undeserving. We'll see what happens this year. I am not optimistic.

Ouch, but it works

After having their eleventh child, a North Georgia Mountain couple decided that 11 was enough, as they could not afford a larger bed. So the husband went to his doctor and told him that he and his wife didn't want to have any more children. The doctor told him that there was a procedure called a vasectomy that could fix the problem, but it was expensive.

"A less costly alternative," said the doctor, "is to go home, get a cherry bomb (fireworks are legal in the North Georgia Mountains), light it, put it in an empty beer can, then hold the can up to his ear and count to 10."

The redneck said to the doctor, "I may not be the smartest man in the world, but I don't see how putting a cherry bomb in a beer can next to my ear is going to help me."

"Trust me," said the doctor.

So the hillbilly went home, lit a cherry bomb and put it in a beer can. He held the can up to his ear and began to count, "1, 2, 3, 4,
5..."

At this point he paused, placed the beer can between his legs, and resumed counting on his other hand.

This procedure also works in Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, and parts of Mississippi.

WOW, a funny night of BASKETBALL

Strange NBA Playoffs ... the Lakers were never in the picture, that's hard to figure. The Pistons wanted to win, and they did.
It was funny watching a game where I had not heard of most of the players, that shows I am not a big fan I guess. The coach I knew ... maybe Brown will come to Ohio State and coach. Do you think they are really considering Knight? Personally, he belongs at OSU. Most OSU coaches end on on tranquilizers anyway, put him on heavy dosage, and let him come back to his alma mater. Knight and Ohio State basketball go together. He could bring the program back to the Taylor years.
I digressed a bit.
I knew them when they were the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I saw the old Pistons play back in the 40's when Industrial Ball was the big thing. Caterpillar Tractors, Pistons, a lot of manufacturers and companies had teams. They worked in the off season and played ball during the season.
Oddly enough, my brother got married in the mid 40's .. his brother in law was one of the team doctors of the Pistons ... and his sister in law taught school, in Lansing. One of her students was Magic Johnson. She still gets a Christmas card from him each year.
My brother was a high school BB coach, and his brother in law would have a pre-season picnic at his house in Ft. Wayne every year for the Piston team. Brother would go, and got to know many of the players from then. Brother Bud was a good bb player in his own right, and in the in college at DePauw ... '39 to '43. They played a lot of "service" teams during those years, many were players who later went on in the NBA.
BUT, what happened to the Lakers ... Detroit wanted to win, more than the Lakers, and no one told them couldn't beat the Lakers. So they did it. Poor Jack. He was a gracious loser though, as were the Lakers.
Shaq will be back next year, everyone else is a question mark. Phil Jackson is gone,, he may come to Ohio State. Maybe one in prison? The others, all questions.
But it was good, I think, for professional basketball. I can't say why, but I heard some saying that last night.
How was it good? Giants can be beaten? Concern about going to prison finally wears you down. As one sign said, "LA has SUPERMEN, Detroit has KRYPTONITE"
I did get a little offended by Commissioner Stern repeatedly saying how the Pistons should have lost, they were underdogs and came out on top, he made similar points toooooo many times. If I was a Piston I would have been offended.
As shown last night, players who play at that level are similar, Detroit had gone through a playoff series and won. So, they had some talent. The fact that no one game them a chance says a lot about the intelligence of the MEDIA who made those statements.
To Dr. Sommers, Jane, and the rest of the Fort Wayne Zoller Piston Fans .... well done .. I always thought you had a chance.

Tuesday Morning ..June 15, 2004 .... 8:30 AM

The month is going fast. The time frame between Memorial Day and Labor Day ... gets shorter all the time.
Looks pretty good in Newark this morning. Sun is out, don't know what the forecast is ... but that generally does not come in to play anyway.
Didn't care to watch the news this AM .. had some coffee on the porch, didn't want to ruin the ambiance with news. I'm sure someone got killed somewhere, some dispicable crime was committed somewhere, probably in Newark, and some phone selling terrorist from Columbus wants to blow up a shopping center.
What events could happen in a persons life that would make them want to blow up a shopping center. My guess is that his wife spends too much time in them. And from what little I saw on the news last night, everyone was shocked, none of the other terrorists thought he was like that.
I periodically do some inspections for a company in Arizona, primarily sight inspections to determine if a business is "real" or not. Do them for Bank One, when someone wants to put a credit card machine in.
A few years ago, I was doing some in Columbus, one of them was at a Masque, right in Columbus.
We always call ahead to make sure someone will be on site, but I never got an answer at this one, so took a chance and drove there. Finally found it, knocked on the door, no one there, but, the door was open. Well it was a church sort of place.
I went in, asking loudly if anyone was there, no response.
It was a fairly large place, nothing fancy, probably had been offices at one time. There was one large room, fairly plain, and other offices off from that.
The place was rather intriguing, so I nibbed around a little. Most of the rooms had desks and some things stored in them.
I was getting about ready to leave, and checked out the last door that I had not peeked into.
Opened the door .... WOW .... visible from the door, a number of weapons of various types and sizes, and a few other closets with closed doors.
I was going to nib some more when I heard a voice coming down the hall. I closed the door before he could see that I had looked in.
He had a turban on his head, beard, those white wrap around pants and a serape type jacket on.
He didn't speak too much English. I showed him the forms I had, tried to explain to him about the VISA terminal they wanted and why I was there.
I don't know if I ever got through to him or not. All I wanted him to do was to sign the form that I had been there. He didn't seem to want to sign anything.
Then, I realized that he didn't have his shoes on, and, dthat I should have taken mine off. That seemed to upset him a little. He kept looking over my shoulder the "door" with the weapons, and then looking at me. He definitely wanted me to leave. He even took me to a book case that actually was a back door, and ushered me out that.
I tried for a while to get through to him that all I wanted was his signature on the form ... still trying to let him know why I was there. I never got through.
I signed the form for him, let him see I did, he shook his head for some reason like it was OK with him.
I got in the car and slowly drove off. He walked, barefooted, and followed me to the corner, and watched me head for the freeway.
We put our recommendations on the forms before we send them in, I didn't give the place a very good report.
I still wonder why they wanted a VISA terminal in their church. This all happened five or six years ago, before 9/11, before the "age of terrorism."
Now we know how "handy" the terminals are for moving money around, etc. I wonder????

The Would, Highland, New York 

Check the inscription under the American Flag. 

Kevin Joseph Dooley