Is it morning? by Jamie Gentner, Outpost Staff Into the Night: The late shift Getting late...   It's 2 a.m. California tourists are always surprised at the 24-hour philosophies of Nevada. They're used to everything closing. Jen is coming into the second half with a worsened shoulder pain and a grouchy man at a slot machine. With a heavy sigh and a big smile, she begins circling again. The grouchy man yells at her: "I wanna drink." "I'll be right there," she calls back. "Now, I wanna JB-- neat!" "Just one second, please." Jen works her way over there and politely asks what she can get him. "I already told ya. A JB neat. Like a good girl." Jen smiles at him and says, "I'll be right back with that." She is grumbling as she walks over to the bar with orders. I ask if that's normal. "Sometimes," she tells me. "You just put up with it. Anyone who thinks it Photo by Jamie Gentner Silver Legacy slots make up most of the casino floor where the waitresses work. doesn't happen is nuts. It get really bad when they slap your butt." Of course there are casino policies against this, but more often than not, the guy disappears within a couple of drinks. She told me that it's not just men and women can be even ruder in their own way. "Women treat you like a hooker sometimes. Like they are better than you or something. Of course you see hookers in here, but they usually aren't employees. Besides, if a girl is a hooker it's obvious. Waitresses usually don't risk it because there are cameras all over the place. It just isn't tolerated." At around 4 a.m. Jen takes a soda from the bartender and leans on the bar for a minute. "Tired," she said. "I've made another $97 though." She is off at 6 a.m. "Not too bad," she said. Jen ended up with less than $200 for the night. "I can make the rest up tomorrow." She makes her way back up to the locker room. With a smile she pulls on tennis shoes and sighs. "Good shoes." "What now?" I ask. "I have to go to the grocery store and later my kids want to go to the movies." posted: 3/10/1998 Top/Previous Outpost | Metro | Lifestyle | Travel | Dining | Outdoors Specials | Links | About us | Mail us