Editorial: The mogul myths: Act I

Friday, June 4, 2004 | 9:21 a.m.

In the movie "Troy," the mighty Trojan prince Hector slays the nearly immortal Greek warrior Achilles. So momentous is the kill that a fierce battle pitting Trojan defenders against Greek invaders grinds to a halt. But wait! It wasn't Achilles after all. It was his look-alike cousin wearing Achilles' armor. Stunned, Hector says to his own men and the enemy: "I think we've all had enough for one day." The two armies slink away, to fight another day. And the moviegoers are relieved, knowing the climactic fight against Hector and Achilles is still to come.

The stage version of this scene was played out Wednesday when the armies of Steve Wynn and the armies of Sheldon Adelson clashed in glorious fury before the gods on Mount Olympus (recast for modern audiences as commissioners of Clark County). The script was a little changed. There was no beautiful Helen weeping as a thousand ships were launched. There was no ancestral sword with the power to preserve a nation. Rather, the theme was parking, with the forces of almighty gaming mogul Wynn rising in fury against those of almighty gaming mogul Adelson. How dare he build a new casino next to mine without enough parking? Wynn thundered. How dare he challenge me? roared Adelson. In the end, the gods favored Wynn. But wait! Was that really Adelson who was felled? We think the gods may have just had enough for one day. Stay seated, as who is Achilles and who is Hect or is still to come.