The screech of the tires on the tarmac woke me up from my nap. I sat up a little disoriented, but then I remembered with an excitement that was unmatched by any other person on the planet. This was my first trip to Las Vegas and as a dance student; I had received a scholarship to train with Cirque Du Soleil. This was the opportunity of a life time, and I was not going to miss this chance for anything. I did a little creative bookkeeping and survived on ramen noodles for two months in order to ensure that I had the experience of a life time. I was to stay in Vegas for a month and once I started my training, my expenses would be paid for, but I had arranged to take a two week vacation before I had to worry about the stress and rigors of my new dance classes.

I waited anxiously as the other passengers on the plane filed in single file in front of me while I pulled my overhead and carry on bags from their compartments. None of them knew my story or could even match a tenth of my happiness. As I joined the flow of people, I couldn’t help but smile. This was going to be a blast!

After I had claimed my bags and hired a taxi, I commanded the driver to take me to my hotel by way of the strip. The lights were amazing! The images of people anxiously awaiting the jackpot bells and rolling the dice on a felt covered craps table filled my head as we passed several casinos. I thought about gambling a few of my hard earned dollars away, but then I remembered a promise to myself. I had bought a lottery ticket one time the day I turned 18 and I lost. I promised myself that I would never gamble again because I knew I was more likely to loose more than I won. Silly, yes, but it was a philosophy that served me well.

I quietly lined out the shows and attractions I wanted to see. Celine Dion, the Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy, and the Tangiers were at the top of my list. There was so  many things to do and people to see that I felt a little overwhelmed. How was I going to see everything that Vegas had to offer in just two weeks!

Arriving at my hotel, I quickly unpacked. Dinner and a show were in half an hour and I didn’t want to be late, so I quickly dressed in evening attire and headed down stairs. That was when I saw her, a gorgeous feathered beauty with the stereotypical show girl costume. Her head piece looked like it weighed more than she did, but her toned body looked built for the part. I walked over and made quiet conversation with her.

“Hi, you don’t know me, but I am a dance student. How do you do that with such grace?”

“Very carefully,” she laughed and we stood talking together until the dinner service was started. I sat at a table alone, placing my order when the waiter stepped up to my table. I also ordered a glass of white wine. I felt like one of those glamorous ladies in all the 40’s movies tibbling champagne. I looked to my right and scanned the crowd. Suddenly I noticed a handsome gentleman smiling at me. He tipped his glass and I blushed, tipping mine back. He walked over to the table and introduced himself.

“I am Henry, Miss. General Manager here. I gather this is your first night here?”

“Yes it is. Thank you. Your hotel is very beautiful.”

I looked at him with lashes lowered. A little harmless flirting never hurt anyone. After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas right?

“Well the whole of Vegas is beautiful. Would you allow me to show you some of the highlights tonight after dinner?”

His electric smile sent chills up my spine.

“I would be delighted. Would you like to sit and talk with me as we eat?”

He graciously accepted and scooted close enough that I could smell his cologne. I had to stop myself from making it obvious that I enjoyed his scent. We spent the next hour enjoying the cuisine, the showgirls, and talking about our lives.  As dinner service drew to a close and the last show girl made her bow, he gently tugged on my arm.

“Come. The night is young and there is still much to see.”

I followed him, placing my arm through his, resting my hand on the crook of his elbow and allowed him to lead me.

“The first stop on our tour is the Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy. Have you heard of that before?”

This really got my attention, as it had been in my top three “must sees”.

“Yes I have and I must say that I have always wanted to see the tigers and all their other animals ever since I was a little girl.”

“Well little lady, I have a surprise for you. I am personal friends with the two of them and they allow me special access to their tigers when I want to see them. What if I made a quick call to get us in there tonight?”

“I would love it!”

I couldn’t believe my luck in getting to see these wonderful animals one on one. He stepped away for a moment and I stood up gathering my things. After he clicked his phone shut, he joined me once more.

“I have another surprise for you. I got us two tickets to Cirque Du Soleil for tomorrow night. How would you like that?”

“I actually just received a scholarship to study with them. It would be wonderful to see them perform live!”

“Well, great! We have a date then.”

His eyes glittered with innuendo, and I reciprocated. He led me through the spacious lobby and out to a limo, awaiting us right outside the vestibule. We climbed inside and drove away. We made our way over the strip and over to the Mirage. As the limo came to a stop, he leaned over and gently kissed my lips.

“I knew the moment I saw you that you would have me wrapped around your finger.”

I felt as if I had moon beams streaming out of every pore of my body. At that moment, the driver came around and opened the door to the back seat. We had to separate and he kissed my fingers as he pulled me from the back seat. We walked around to a side entrance and there they were Siegfried and Roy. They were each handling a beautiful tiger cub, one white and one bangle.

They ushered us into a garden with lush plants and animals everywhere. One of the little cubs rubbed against my high heeled feet and I reached down to pick him up. His fur was soft and supple as he purred against my hand. We spent the next two hours playing with the cubs and interacting with Siegfried and Roy on a level that I assumed that not many people were privileged to enjoy. I thanked them profusely as we left their private sanctuary. Getting back into the car, we laughed and talked about the experience.

“My dear, I have the perfect ending to a wonderful evening. Driver, to the Bellagio please!”

I squealed in excitement and threw my arms around his neck. He pressed his lips to mine as we made our way down the street. When I saw the spectacular water fountain come into view, I begged to stop and stop we did.

We walked down the concrete pathways and stopped next to the large pool. An announcement was made from a hidden speaker that another show was about to begin.

We watched as the music started to rumble and the water started to churn. You could hear as each of the jets of water were activated, shooting sprays of water in patterns and swirls that danced as the colors and tempos changed. I stood transfixed as the colors changed from red to blue to yellow and every other color in between.  He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and softly whispered on the side of my neck.

“Welcome to Vegas, babe. This is all for you.”

I turned in his arms to face him and kissed him sweetly.

“No one has ever been so kind to me. Would you like to join me in my room back at the hotel?”

“I never thought you would ask. I would adore an evening with you my dear. You are a beautiful woman and it would be my pleasure.”

Once we arrived back at the hotel, he ordered room service and told me to head up to my room to wait for him. What a perfect way to spend my first night in Vegas!