High Plains Drifters Ridin' Ol' Orange

Hula Babe and Beach Boy put away their aloha duds and are once again the High Plains Drifters for a southwest road trip which will hopefully take us from winter into spring. We flew to Las Vegas and then set out for Scottsdale -- ultimately Tucson, Arizona, -- and then will head back to Las Vegas for our return flight.

We got our rental car from a lobby kiosk at the Monte Carlo Resort, just a couple of blocks from The Jockey Club.

• Money-saving tip:   We outwitted those highway robbers, known as cabby's, by rolling our suitcases from the JC to the Bellagio Resort next door and riding the free tram from it to the Monte Carlo. (Eat your heart out cab drivers!)
• Money-saving tip #2:  We had found the best car rental rate on Hotwire where the price was a couple hundred less for a Dollar Rent-a-Car than the cheapest we had found on our trusty Expedia.  

The car, a compact Dodge something, looks like, well, lets put it this way, think of an enormous orange rolling down the road. You got it; that's us.

Ol' Orange - only one of its kind we've seen so far

Speaking of fruit, have you ever been waited on by someone with the personality of a prune? No pleasantries, limited eye contact, staccato answers. . .that's my definition of "prune personality disorder". For example:

Joel: Can my wife be added as a second driver? (Enterprise had said spouses were added without charge in Hawaii).
Prune: "Sure. $10 a day extra."

Joel: How much grace period do we have on the return? (usually 15 minutes to a half hour).
Prune: "One minute late - one day additional charge."

When we declined their insurance, Prune said he needed to see our insurance papers (we've never been asked for those in the history of our travels)
Prune: "You must sign showing you declined coverage and that you are driving uninsured," pointing to the signature line.    Joel pointed out we weren't uninsured, Prune pointed to the line all the same. Joel signed.

We were sent off to find the car in the parking garage and did so quite easily (it is orange, and the only orange car in sight, probably the only one in all of Arizona). I noticed a significant scratch on the passenger's door but saw nothing noted on the rental form.  (Actually, I think some giant tried to peel it thinking it was an orange.)

I marched back to the lobby to report to Prune my findings and took great delight in watching another couple return their rental:
Prune:  "Did you fill the car with gas?"
Couple: "Yes we did."
Prune:  "I need to see the receipt."

I reminded myself that we are saving a couple hundred dollars, reported the scratch to Prune, and we were off. Next post from The Timeshare Trail.  But if you happen to see us drive up, stop by and say hello.