One of the more memorable found me working at the Primm, The Primadonna, in downtown Reno. Graveyard shift, I arrived at the club around 2:30, walked in the front door, and everyone was crying, most were carrying a box of tissues, tears streaming down their cheeks. Most of the "slots" were being played, "pull the handle, wipe the eyes, pull the handle, wipe the eyes." Crying, but not missing a pull.
I could not imagine what disaster had occurred to create so much emotion. As it turned out, a New Years Mob got out of control. It was an annual event that got out of hand. Tear gas was used, and one somehow was hurled through a front window at the Primm, and the gas filled the club. Most of it had dissipated, but it would somehow get in to pockets, under the slots and in different places, and as I walked by, it would stir the air, and I too, joined the criers.
It was a bit difficult dealing and crying, crying and dealing. They said that some of the "slot players" did not miss a pull when the gas entered the club. The change aprons went around passing out boxes of tissues, so "no coin went unplayed."
I have heard stories of Reno Floods, when the Truckee River would overflow its banks, water would fill Virginia Street, enter the clubs, and people would continue to pull the slots, and crap games would continue till the water reached the bottom of the table, Fitz would gather his money boxes and the table, but I have heard that all the other games continued.
