winterhawk Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 In the VIPER sourcebook, Las Vegas is described as having a "lesser nest", however the section regarding The VIPER Economy (p. 45) describes "Rather than paying huge cash bonuses..., they prefer to fly agents out to VIPER-controlled resorts and show them a good time. Particularly loyal and capable agaents, however, do receive cash bonuses (often through rigged gambling winnings-VIPER's well-versed in a number of old school money laundering techniques)." With knowlege of the highly regulated gambling trade in Vegas, could VIPER own a casino, or interest in one? And what insideous plots could stem from it? Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 Why not? They've already got the Viper Room in downtown L.A. I think they co-own it with Johnny Depp. I imagine a casino is an excellent cover for laundering money! All their crooked acts from the strip and outlying areas reap cash that is sent to the casino. A particularly careless villain tries to rob the casino using stealthy means and electronic intrusion; They wind up incurring the ire of Viper. The heroes must protect said villain. There's an urban legend about casinos pumping pure oxygen into the game rooms so that the people will experience a bigger rush. How about they pump some other kind of gas... something mind controlling or addictive that brings them back to spend more money. The Scientific Gadget and Law Enforcement Device (SGLED) convention is held at the Viper owned casino and hotel. The characters are there to either check out the gadgets or to protect them from theft, not knowing that the whole casino is in on the pending theft. A convention of UNTIL agents show up across the street. A scene like the beginning of Monty Python's the Meaning of Life happens, where they fire from building to building. Or picture a "block war" from Judge Dredd. The Stratosphere turns out to be a working escape craft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemming Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 Originally posted by Blue The Stratosphere turns out to be a working escape craft. You mean it's not!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 Originally posted by lemming You mean it's not!? You're thinking of the boats in front of the Treasure Island Casino. Don't ask me how they sail them across the desert... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemming Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 Originally posted by Blue You're thinking of the boats in front of the Treasure Island Casino. Don't ask me how they sail them across the desert... Ok. Thanks for the clarification. must work this into new plan... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 I've been thinking about a Viper-Themed casino ever since this was posted. A big green building, possibly shaped like a cobra with it's hood spread. Agents at the desk hold you at gunpoint and lead you to your room where they lock you in. Rooms are like tiny cells. Every day room service, dressed as superheroes, break in and replace your dirty towels and sheets. A Zigried and Roy style Snake show takes place in the Snake-Pit Lounge downstairs. But there's got to be more to it than that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supreme Serpent Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 I really see it as more of just a money laundering operation. Each other thing you try to use it for exponentially increases the likelihood of it getting busted, and ruining all the uses. So, I'd see the VIPER casino as strictly money laundering, probably under central control, with a seperate Nest handling other crime, etc. in Vegas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinecone Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 A Viper cover business could easaly build a Vegas casino...I had often thought how easy Viper could kidnap and brainwash VIPs just by giving them a "comp" private plane ride:)Vegas also has a less family friendly side and Viper should be quite comphortable there...prositution and drugs are pretty much the same everywhere.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost who Walks Posted March 22, 2004 Report Share Posted March 22, 2004 I would think that the secret network that the casinos mantain, would prevent that sort of thing. If for no other reason, it would attract guys in costumes to beat up the VIPER thugs. Bad for business. One imagines the casinos getting together, and hiring a bunch of superpowered people to 'protect' their casinos. Imagine what just a low level telekinetic could do, to cheat the casino? A Vegas superhero team would be interesting. They would probably have ex-villains and newbie heroes on it. They would be funded with casino money...and have a reputation for making people 'vanish' into the desert. They would probably be poorly thought of in the "hero" community. Now if VIPER really wanted to launder money, riverboat gambling is the way to go. Nobody pays any attention to it. Indian Casino's might also be fun, some of the tribes involved are very small...all you need is one with the snake totem. Like your new pics, Blue-Lemming. Just noticed them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmenace Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 I'd think that the hotel would have every room monitored for collecting black mail material. If there is a Area 51 in your superworld one assumes the vastly greater amount of alien tech that fall into the hands of the Government would be taken there. The workers have to cut loose from time to time and maybe the Hotel has a government worker discount, in these patriotic times, they use to lure them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Rand Posted March 23, 2004 Report Share Posted March 23, 2004 I like the idea of using the Stratosphere Tower as a secret escape craft. Think of all the hostages VIPER could have up there if the police, PRIMUS or superheroes tried to stop them. The hotel/casino could be a good cover for VIPER. Most of the employees don't know about the secret operations, but the big shots and a few dealers are crooked. The people getting paid off are told what table to go to, what time they're to go there and how long to play. I considered setting a superhero campaign in Las Vegas. This thread is inspiring me to consider it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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