The Parable of the King - Part I

Back when I first started going to Vegas on a regular basis (I've been probably 12 times in the last 20 years), I used to write a parable of "The King" to put in my 'out of office' assistant to entertain my co-workers. Then Viagra stole the "Viva" song and trivialized my work. Still, as I leave on my five-day odyssey to the city that Elvis (and a bunch of gangsters) built, I feel it is a good time to revisit my parable. So, here, for your delight in my absence, is part one of "The Parable of the King"

The Parable of the King - Part I

For many years, the people in the land of sand and heat lay beaten and discouraged. The sun dried their crops and throats, and no wind cooled their abodes. Then one day, the flow of the mighty river stopped. A great oasis was formed, and their days became filled with abundance. With the oasis came a great king, and with him, many people from many lands. And though the land provided all for these people, still they wondered at their good fortune.

And so they said unto the king, "How is it that you have brought life into this wasteland?" And the king said, "It is not I who have brought life, but the water from the great dam." But the people remained mystified. So the king stepped into the radiant sun and said, "With the water, comes the force. With the force, comes the power. With the power, comes the light. And with the light, so may the people gather. For where the darkness is dispelled, there is joy and great revelry."

"Oh great king, what you say may be true," said the people. Yet still their minds were unsettled, so the people asked, "Is it not you who has brought us the songs of joy and revelry, that our days may be filled with pools of blue? That our bellies may be stuffed at overflowing buffets? That great magicians shall make fierce beasts appear from thin air? That we may loose the shekels and dinars from within the calfskin hides we carry? And so we toss our material wealth onto the fields of green, and red, and black, that the great devils clad in fine raiments of black and white, smiling with no gladness like the jackals of the desert, will snatch up our worth and means? And though we shall never see such wealth again, we smile.

“For there is only joy in the desert of song and flowing beer,
And sun all the days, and neon all the nights.

“Is it not true that you, great king, have given this unto us?" And the king said, "Yea! It is so."

And the people rejoiced in song as the king commanded, "The name of this kingdom shall be known through all lands and peoples. And though I should pass away, my kingdom will never die! For I am Elvis, And I am the king!"

And all the people let up a great shout as The King led them in song. “Viva,” they sang, "Viva, Las Vegas!"