The grand re-opening of the new Easy Eight

It’s the middle of the day and the heat is almost unbearable. The Easy Eight Casino glistens in the afternoon sunshine. Currently its vast parking lot is mostly empty. The clean-up and construction crews are completing the final check list, before the grand re-opening.

The past month has been a whirlwind of contractors and cleaning suppliers. As well as every conceivable service in between. The damage at the Easy Eight was extensive. Furthermore, a building inspector had to be called because all the windows of the first floor were disintegrated. Since no one could determine if a tornado actually had touched down, insurance thought it best to be safe rather than sorry.

Now, after a month of round the clock refurbishing, the Easy Eight is just twenty four hours away from the grand re-opening. The bar is new. Likewise the slot machines are all top of the line models, brand new, and freshly installed. The windows and carpets, and almost all the decor, have been replaced with a more modern style. Throughout the process the place has been vacant.

The Grand Re-opening

It is Tuesday and Jeremy is finishing the last of the signs in the parking lot. The no parking signs were the last thing to do, on the outside check list. Currently he is staring back at the man in the window. In fact, they have been watching each other for over five minutes now. Moreover, Jeremy refuses to look away first.

He would alert security that someone was trespassing in the Casino, but he knew (as did just about everyone else) that the Casino is actually empty. Therefore, the man staring back at Jeremy, is a ghost. Jeremy knows it, and he is pretty sure the ghost knows he knows. Thus the staring match. Really it wasn’t Jeremy’s fault. He wishes he didn’t see the ghost.

It can’t be a good thing to actually see a ghost while it is purposefully staring back. As if reading his mind, the ghost stands, and reappears in the window two rooms away. Still staring at Jeremy. So Jeremy raises his eyebrows at the ghost.

He is not going to be spooked today. Last week, the first time he saw the ghost, he may have over reacted a little. Now it’s just twenty four hours away from the grand re-opening. He wasn’t going to be spooked today, no sir, not today.

The Grand Re-opening of the New Easy Eight

Stan is walking around the Casino floor. The entire hotel is empty. The restaurant and bar are almost completely remodeled. He is twenty four hours away from a grand re-opening that almost wasn’t possible. The insurance was still having a rough time determining if it was a storm or a low grade tornado. All they knew for sure, was that something caused all the damage.

Stan thinks back to the terrifying elevator ride a few weeks ago. He knows none of this was weather related. However, insurance companies do not believe in ghosts. With this in mind, he was glad all the work was nearing completion. Additionally he was determined to have a sensational grand re-opening. He feels a slight rush of excitement as he makes his way down the hall to his office.

Of course Stan wanted to put everything behind him. A grand re-opening might be just the thing. He is considering this, as he opens his office door. As he switches on the light, chills race up his spine. He is not alone. Sitting at his desk, is one with a face he knows well. The french fry king stares at Stan through unblinking eyes. This time the chills cause the fine hairs at the nape of his neck to stand on end. Stan is face to face with Lucky Pockets.

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