Bio-Vlog

I finished my shows, ate a giant lobster and, I’m sitting in the dimly lit bar dealing seconds to myself, getting ready to call Jim Blowers to come pick me up.  I hear a voice. “What are you doing?” a woman asks with a slight touch of gruffness, “Daydreaming and dealing?” The question startles me…

“Seated around my table are Gaming Regulator Bruce Samboy, and with us again are Steve Forte, Russell Cedarburg, and Jim Blowers. Gents, Richard’s antics for the dangerous and gross stretch the imagination, what do you think Richard fears, if anything?” “Jon, considering his life as a daredevil,” Samboy says, “It seems that Rick fears nothing…

I’m dining with Mr. Neurotic, on the cliff-side of his mountaintop mansion, I tell him, “I had a million-dollar offer from the Middle East to control oil money in private games.”  Mr. Neurotic impulsively says, “Don’t take it!” He says strongly, “In a situation like that you’ll be one hundred percent used.” He leans close…

I’m carefully trying to size up the interplay with the Middle East oil men. In a language I can’t understand, they argue amongst themselves. I can tell that the guy I figure to be the boss-man is mad at the interpreter. After more angry foreign words are exchanged, the interpreter turns back and says irritated,…

I’m finishing getting dressed for my show when the phone rings. I answer it, and a strongly accented voice says, “Mr. Turner, we would like to talk about a private deal.”   My standard reply to such offers is to always send business to my venue so, I reply, “Meet me aboard the Ruben E. Lee.” …

Mr. Neurotic has invited me to his home to meet some of his business associates.  As we drive up and Jim describes the estate it’s clear that he is impressed, “Mister Rick, it’s to cool. The mansion is perched on a high mountainside, with a panoramic view that stretches way down yonder to the Ocean.”…

Like Mr. Cool, Mr. Hugs besieges me with moneymaking offers to cheat for them. So do other organized crime family members within that area that is known as “San Diego’s Little Italy.” It is Hugs’ brother-in-law, whom I identified above by the pseudonym, Mr. Neurotic.  Neurotic has owned greyhound and horse race tracks south-of-the-border in…

Other shadowy characters are the legendary Mr. Hugs and his powerful and rich brother-in-law, Mr. Neurotic. Gossip spreads the rumors that their families got their start by discreetly listening to gangsters in the 1930s while they shined their shoes, overhearing horse racing and other gambling tips as they eavesdropped and polished their expensive leather. Then,…

Undaunted, Mr. Cool again invites me to dinner to negotiate other supposedly mutually beneficial business propositions, and he decides to give me a freebie. As the boat is rocking and we are eating, he casually advises, “Here’s a free tip. At the Del Mar race track, bet on this horse in the sixth race to…

We enter the place, I feel as if I have walked through the doors of a fancy Las Vegas casino. I hear the sounds of cash flow. I hear dice thrown across crap tables with people yelling; roulette wheels spinning; and the bass from loud music throbbing.  Mr. Cool takes me on a tour, pointing,…

I’ve agreed to scope out one of Mr. Cool’s operations. He picks me up at my home in a long black Cadillac. He tells me, “I want you to know that all of the guests you will meet tonight own mountains. In fact, the gentleman whose place we are going owns the mountain where the…

“At my table I have with me Siegfried of the famed team Siegfried and Roy. Siegfried, I hear you and Roy change the opening of your show when Richard was in the audience, can you elaborate?” “Sure, Jon, but it’s all for show. Shortly before Roy’s accident with the tiger, Richard and his wife, Kim,…