It’s 3 p.m…in Las Vegas, Nevada
Welcome to “It’s 3 p.m. at…” a new column here at Very Famous Inc. where we report on that late afternoon hour when the day has been determined in one way or another. It’s sort of the opposite of the witching hour, a hazy limbo where you just want to sit and stare somewhere. We’re doing just that — sitting and staring somewhere.
“WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT FROM ME, CHASE?” a blonde, bobbed woman screamed at Chase, who stood six feet away from her at baggage claim. This began my four nights and three days in Las Vegas, Nevada! I meant to do a 3 p.m. scene report from one specific destination, but honestly I forgot. Hours blurred together as I was being transported up moving walkways to The Venetian’s European ambiance, watching Shania Twain’s dancers shoot out of a top hat, losing the $20 I won at bingo in the Poconos on Vegas slot machines, taking one “Mystery Shot” for $3, and being cattle-herded into clubs with the usual icy names like Omnia and Marquee.
Instead, I will revisit photos taken within the 3 o’clock hour each day of my trip to America’s Playground.
Saturday 2/19 @ 3:00 p.m. on the dot
At exactly 3:00, I took a photo of this rubber duckie with a perma-tilt head, curious about everyone who looks at her. CVS surprisingly had the best souvenirs on the whole strip with off-brand Barbie dolls, pink-and-purple fans with the Vegas skyline blasted across them, things like that. Other places probably had similar items, but I did not see them — nor did I see them priced so affordably! I did ultimately find an emporium to rival CVS, but more on that later…
Saturday 2/19 @ 3:05 p.m.
I really wish I had something better to show for my 3 o’clock hour photo than this city trash can with a cigarette butt and a Tiesto flier, but I suppose there’s something real here…
NOW IT IS SUNDAY!
Sunday 2/20, 3:05 p.m. (Somehow I took another 3:05 p.m. photo!)
This is Rachel’s and my motel room at the Flamingo! We’ve been BFFs since we were about 13 years old, and we were both shocked that only now in our early thirties had we taken a trip to Vegas together. “Things happen when they’re meant to,” we agreed. Nearly every moment was adored by us, even the moments when a mom in the Flamingo elevator was positively bellowing “FUCK YOOOUUU” at her two adult daughters. At 3:05 when this photo was taken, we were admiring the thoughtful design of our motel room. Shiny, white tufted headboards? Vanity lighting OVER the bed? Incredible! There was also a pink light in the bathroom, completing the trifecta of unusually fabulous motel touches.
Sunday 2/20, 3:23 p.m.
I took a photo of our room number because it was so long we thought we might forget it.
Sunday 2/20, 3:38 p.m.
This was the first video of gold ooze I saw that day, the second was on the Caesar’s marquee. Vegas’s singular design mark besides, of course, neon might be ooze. Casinos and shops and hotels and bars ooze into each other around here, constantly leaving you a little disoriented.
THEN IT WAS MONDAY!
Monday 2/21, 3:11 p.m.
Clearly the 3’clock hour is souvenir time in the city of sins! This time, I was at the place that beat CVS: Bonanza Gift Shop. In 2015, they replaced “Naughty Town” with “Kidzworld” Las Vegas Weekly reported. I was in line waiting to buy one of the purple-and-pink fans, a sketch pad of naked women, and other assorted gifts. A potted cactus shimmied as I waited, and I tried to decide who to text it to with some sort of caption like, “me on my way to see you.” Ultimately no one received this message from me. “Kiss From A Rose” played and a man sang it to his wife as they bought a LOT of souvenirs that I think totaled $200. The lil cactus danced on.
Monday 2/21, 3:12 p.m.
This family walked down the street in front of us, right before we ran across several lanes of traffic to the Little Wedding Chapel. I couldn’t tell whether they were tourists like us or running a Monday errand. It seemed like the latter. For some reason, they looked like they had been here a while.
Monday 2/21, 3:15 p.m.
I wish I got a better photo of this mural!!! It feels like a career shortcoming that I don’t understand how to take photos without shadows. I debate for a moment whether this lack of patience and attention to detail indicates a constitutional weakness.
Monday 2/21, 3:16 p.m.
Ok this one’s really nice!!! Only a little shadow. A man walked out of the chapel carrying an instrument case, and for some reason I didn’t want to go inside, not this time. A defunct motel was attached to this chapel called Fun City Motel, which is exactly letter-for-letter what I would name a motel. (It used to be painted pink and cameod in “Vegas Vacation” few good things last, friends!) “The Owners of Fun City Motel have chosen to close the motel,” read the empowered statement on the door.
