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Okay, Cliff, but let me just say this: right now Johnny needs to feel as if he were the only star you have.” “Okay,” said Cliff. “I get it.” I then talked Johnny into seeing Cliff. “That’s the least you owe him.” And up we went. Once Carson entered the suite, the Perlman charm took over. He took Carson by the arm and showed him the apartment. Sitting atop the hotel, it was 10,000 square feet of opulence, with a rooftop swimming pool, Jacuzzi, wine cellar, health spa, six bedrooms, and a living room that was easily able to accommodate 300 people. “Every time you come to Caesars,” said Perlman, “this is where you’ll stay.” “Nice,” said Johnny, now notably calmer. “But I don’t see a tennis court up here.” “No, it’s downstairs. But you know that our head pro is Pancho Gonzales,” said Cliff, invoking the name of one of the greatest players of the pre-Open era. “Any time you want to hit with him, it’s on me.” “Thank you, Cliff.” “You know,” said Perlman, closing the deal, “I’ve never let anyone stay up here, not even Sinatra. But I owe this to you as a show of my appreciation for your working here.
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