Shaun Bailey

Mud Puddlers Shaun Bailey

William Black may be the first racketeer to ever hit Las Vegas. He isn't content "puddling mud," or pouring Hoover Dam's concrete. He's more concerned with running "the Black Bank," an underground lottery complete with runners, middle men-the works. The only thing standing in his way is Simeon Eliason, the boomtown's dictatorial mayor. But does Black fall in line? No, instead he doubles down by attempting to unionize his fellow migrants; men he believes will place bigger bets by virtue of higher wages. He even plots to steal a payroll delivery, thus ensuring his members can survive a prolonged strike. If he succeeds, he may never again have to perform hard labor. But if he fails, Eliason will have the proof he needs to send Black to the very back of the bread line, or worse. He could cement Black's legacy as a warning to every gangster intent on creating Sin City."