What I've always loved about IP is the employees. Ralph treated his people well, too, according to his people.
The most notable (to me) negative impact of his death was the disappearance of some employees I'd really become quite fond of after my numerous stays there.
There was this one gal from Iran whose name I can't remember but whose demeanor was usually nothing but business-like, but if you got her to smile, it'd melt the ice in every drink within 100 feet.
New management places a lot of emphasis on "friendly", and this gal's usually business-like approach just didn't fit well, I guess. She wasn't "unfriendly", though.
One of my favorite times at IP was when I was the only one at her blackjack table for an hour (or however long their shift is) and she just dealt and I just moved chips back and forth, her knowing 99% of the time whether I'd hit a particular hand and not having to go through the motions for hit or stand. Was great to get a LOT of hands played in an hour (profitably, I might add) without a bunch of banter. She always seemed real friendly and outgoing at Caribbean Stud, though. I think it bored her less than BlackJack.
My favorite dealer, though, is a guy named John from New Jersey or Illinois. I can be gone a year and he remembers my name the next time I'm there.
There's also a dealer there who's a ringer for Brent Spiner. I mentioned that once and he said, in an almost "Data"-like voice, "Funny comment coming from a Jerry Garcia look-alike." I love smart-asses. |
