--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now off the escalator and into the…" description: "\"“Now off the escalator and into the casino, big crowds still tight around the crap tables. Who are these people? These faces! Where do they come from? ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47b/hunter-s-thompson-278_american-dream_now-off-the-escalator-and-into-the-casin_2414823.jpg" --- # Now off the escalator and into the casino, big crowds… ![“Now off the escalator and into the casino, big crowds still tight around the crap tables. Who are these people? These faces! Where do they come from? They look like caricatures of used-car dealers from Dallas. But they’re real. And, sweet Jesus, there are a hell of a lot of them – still screaming…” quote by Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47b/hunter-s-thompson-278_american-dream_now-off-the-escalator-and-into-the-casin_2414823.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47b/hunter-s-thompson-278_american-dream_now-off-the-escalator-and-into-the-casin_2414823.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47b/hunter-s-thompson-278_american-dream_now-off-the-escalator-and-into-the-casin_2414823.jpg) > ““Now off the escalator and into the casino, big crowds still tight around the crap tables. Who are these people? These faces! Where do they come from? They look like caricatures of used-car dealers from Dallas. But they’re real. And, sweet Jesus, there are a hell of a lot of them – still screaming around these desert-city crap tables at four-thirty on a Sunday morning. Still humping the American Dream, that vision of the Big Winner somehow emerging from the last- minute pre-dawn chaos of a stale Vegas casino.”” [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A chaotic scene of desperate gamblers clinging to the myth of sudden wealth, exposing the emptiness of the American Dream. **In simple terms:** People chase quick riches in a noisy casino, revealing deeper emptiness. Key Takeaway Recognize the illusion of instant success. Themes materialism illusion despair American Dream gambling Mood cynical critical ironic Type observational satirical When to use this quote - Vegas nightlife - high‑stakes gambling - economic desperation - media satire Key Concepts existentialism consumerism social critique Questions to Reflect On - What drives people to gamble despite repeated loss? - How does this scene reflect broader societal values? A Different Perspective The quote glorifies the chase without addressing its harmful consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-dream/) [Car dealer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/car-dealer/) [Casino Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/casino-big-2706421/) [Crap Tables](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crap-tables-6092012/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Stale Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stale-vegas-6092011/) [Sunday morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sunday-morning/) [Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegas/) [Vegas Casino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegas-casino-3128651/) ## Related quotes > [Al Capone's my uncle. The old days were a lot different. The Latin Casino was the big time. When I got there I figured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/al-capone-s-my-uncle-the-old-days-were-a-lot-different-the-latin/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [“I imagine Hunter sitting at a poker table in a Vegas casino. He's resplendent in black jeans, a black shirt, and a Stetson. His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-james/i-imagine-hunter-sitting-at-a-poker-table-in-a-vegas-casino-he-s/) [Ella James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-james/) > [“One of the worst incidents of that era caused no complaints at all: this was a sort of good-natured firepower demonstration, which occured one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/one-of-the-worst-incidents-of-that-era-caused-no-complaints-at-all/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [You see the most miserable people at a car dealership's service center. Everybody just sitting around waiting to get ripped off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-see-the-most-miserable-people-at-a-car-dealership-s-service/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [See," he began, leaning back into the booth, "I was at this car dealership today, and I saw this girl. It was an across-a-crowded-room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/see-he-began-leaning-back-into-the-booth-i-was-at-this-car-dealership/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [When people are deprived of a sense, their other senses get heightened. If you're culturally devoid of something - of weather, of artistry, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/when-people-are-deprived-of-a-sense-their-other-senses-get-heightened/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [“Most car dealers make the majority of their profits from servicing cars. They treat vehicles like a subscription service, expecting people to visit their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashlee-vance/most-car-dealers-make-the-majority-of-their-profits-from-servicing/) [Ashlee Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashlee-vance/) > [A lot of coaches get involved in a lot of different things - car dealerships and restaurants and all kinds of things. I've never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-boeheim/a-lot-of-coaches-get-involved-in-a-lot-of-different-things-car/) [Jim Boeheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-boeheim/) > [I'm a dealer. That's exactly right. I'm a used car dealer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-ecclestone/i-m-a-dealer-that-s-exactly-right-i-m-a-used-car-dealer/) [Bernie Ecclestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-ecclestone/) > [With my team, we at the car dealer. Smoking big green, I'm talking Godzilla.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/with-my-team-we-at-the-car-dealer-smoking-big-green-i-m-talking/) [Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/) > [At a car dealership, the person who sells the car is the hero, and also gets the commission. But if the mechanics don't service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-staubach/at-a-car-dealership-the-person-who-sells-the-car-is-the-hero-and-also/) [Roger Staubach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-staubach/) > [very quietly, I heard a voice in my ear.It said, in a weird, cheesy, right-out-of-one-of-my-mother’s-novels way, “Ah. Wemeet again.” I turned my head, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/very-quietly-i-heard-a-voice-in-my-ear-it-said-in-a-weird-cheesy/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [Every business decision I ever made I learned from my grandfather Papa Sam. He moved here from Russia when he was a boy. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobbi-brown/every-business-decision-i-ever-made-i-learned-from-my-grandfather/) [Bobbi Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobbi-brown/) > [“To pitch here is to live. People pitch their kids into good schools, pitch offers on houses they can’t afford, and when they’re caught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/to-pitch-here-is-to-live-people-pitch-their-kids-into-good-schools/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) > [“I have this recurring nightmare in which I have to move back in with my old college roommates. I'll admit, that's what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/i-have-this-recurring-nightmare-in-which-i-have-to-move-back-in-with/) [Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/) ## More by Hunter S. Thompson > [“There was also the fact that sending a penniless writer to get $135 worth of beer was — as Khrushchev said of Nixon —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-was-also-the-fact-that-sending-a-penniless-writer-to-get-135/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“Cases of champagne and scotch lay broken in the street, and everyone I saw had a bottle. They were screaming and dancing, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/cases-of-champagne-and-scotch-lay-broken-in-the-street-and-everyone-i/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [No music + Bad TV = Bad mood & no pages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-music-bad-tv-bad-mood-no-pages/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [No one holds command over me. No man. No god. No Prince. What is a claim of age for ones who are immortal? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-one-holds-command-over-me-no-man-no-god-no-prince-what-is-a-claim/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“The person who doesn't scatter the morning dew will not comb grey hairs”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/the-person-who-doesn-t-scatter-the-morning-dew-will-not-comb-grey/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Hope rises and dreams flicker and die. Love plans for tomorrow and loneliness thinks of yesterday. Life is beautiful and living is pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/hope-rises-and-dreams-flicker-and-die-love-plans-for-tomorrow-and/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [If we get chased out of Iraq with our tail between our legs, that will be the fifth consecutive Third-world country with no hint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/if-we-get-chased-out-of-iraq-with-our-tail-between-our-legs-that-will/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [At age 22 I set what I insist is an all-time record for distance hitchhiking in Bermuda shorts: 3,700 miles in three weeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/at-age-22-i-set-what-i-insist-is-an-all-time-record-for-distance/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Paranoia is just another mask for ignorance. The truth, when you finally chase it down is almost always far worse than your darkest visions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/paranoia-is-just-another-mask-for-ignorance-the-truth-when-you/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“No doubt they all Got What Was Coming To Them. All those pathetically eager acid freaks who thought they could buy Peace and Understanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/no-doubt-they-all-got-what-was-coming-to-them-all-those-pathetically/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“For several months they'd been drifting toward political involvement, but the picture was hazy and one of the most confusing elements was their geographical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/for-several-months-they-d-been-drifting-toward-political-involvement/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [He wandered into the Newsroom and asked for a job the same way he’d walk into a barbershop and ask for a haircut, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/he-wandered-into-the-newsroom-and-asked-for-a-job-the-same-way-he-d/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [There's no point in getting into politics at all unless you plan to lash things around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-s-no-point-in-getting-into-politics-at-all-unless-you-plan-to/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [There’s a lot of things wrong with this country, but one of the few things still right with it is that a man can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/there-s-a-lot-of-things-wrong-with-this-country-but-one-of-the-few/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) [Explore all 765 Hunter S. Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## More American dream quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [Are we a nation of guarantees or are we a nation of opportunities to achieve the American dream?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mcdonnell/are-we-a-nation-of-guarantees-or-are-we-a-nation-of-opportunities-to/) [Bob McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mcdonnell/) > [I believe keeping our promises should be our highest priority and that means saving Social Security and Medicare while preserving the American dream for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-coburn/i-believe-keeping-our-promises-should-be-our-highest-priority-and/) [Tom Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-coburn/) > [Our families and our homes are the center of American life, Everything we do is to make those homes-and the lives in them-more beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/our-families-and-our-homes-are-the-center-of-american-life-everything/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [I want people to know where I come from. I think I have come really far from that, and I did it on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-want-people-to-know-where-i-come-from-i-think-i-have-come-really/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [We need to remain a nation that doesn't just welcome but that celebrates legal immigrants who come here seeking to pursue the American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-need-to-remain-a-nation-that-doesn-t-just-welcome-but-that/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [So many Korean Americans like me came to this country with the hope of achieving their own American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/so-many-korean-americans-like-me-came-to-this-country-with-the-hope/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [“Let's make no mistake about this: The American Dream starts with the neighborhoods. If we wish to rebuild our cities, we must first rebuild…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-milk/let-s-make-no-mistake-about-this-the-american-dream-starts-with-the/) [Harvey Milk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-milk/) > [As a kid, I learned from my parents, teachers, coaches, and friends that what mattered most was Truth - to uncover it, share it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiva-ayyadurai/as-a-kid-i-learned-from-my-parents-teachers-coaches-and-friends-that/) [Shiva Ayyadurai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiva-ayyadurai/) > [Theres a zoom up in the TV screen Living cancer to our self-esteem yea Cause if this an airless beauty queen But everything aint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valentinooo-c/theres-a-zoom-up-in-the-tv-screen-living-cancer-to-our-self-esteem/) [Valentinooo\_c](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valentinooo-c/) > [College is part of the American dream. It shouldnt be part of a financial nightmare for families](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/college-is-part-of-the-american-dream-it-shouldnt-be-part-of-a/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [“New Rule: Americans must realize what makes NFL football so great: socialism. That's right, the NFL takes money from the rich teams and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/new-rule-americans-must-realize-what-makes-nfl-football-so-great/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [I believe it from the bottom of my heart, and your sons and daughters, too, can have the American dream come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-a-ribicoff/i-believe-it-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart-and-your-sons-and-daughters/) [Abraham A. Ribicoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-a-ribicoff/) > [I dare to imagine a country where every child I hold in my hands, are all God's children, regardless of the color of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wellstone/i-dare-to-imagine-a-country-where-every-child-i-hold-in-my-hands-are/) [Paul Wellstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wellstone/) [Browse all 1,001 American dream quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-dream/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Now off the escalator and into the casino, big crowds still tight around the crap tables. Who are these people? These faces! Where do they come from? They look like caricatures of used-car dealers from Dallas. But they’re real. And, sweet Jesus, there are a hell of a lot of them – still screaming around these desert-city crap tables at four-thirty on a Sunday morning. 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