A tourist who was passing by with his digital camera narrowed his eyes at the sight of the familiar-looking women. He looked over at his wife, who nodded. He snapped and snapped again.

The tourist and his wife went home to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, winners to the tune of $25,000. Compliments of the Las Vegas Sun.

Epilogue

Back on the mountain it was still dark out but they were all in the dining room, fully dressed, waiting for Charles to print out the morning editions from the online papers.

Expectations were running high. "There's no way she can't win," Lizzie said. With very little arm twisting, Lizzie had convinced her new employers in Las Vegas and Homer Winters to kick in the money at the eleventh hour to cover Martine's television blitz, which had hit the airwaves with such force, the other side had virtually collapsed from the onslaught.

The women made small talk, nibbling on blueberry muffins and sipping coffee and juice.

Maggie Spritzer looked around the table and laughed. "C'mon, you know she won!"

Nellie, minus her new husband, smiled as she looked down at her feet. "I never thought I'd be wearing white rhinestone cowgirl boots. Elias says they are definitely me. And, I never thought I'd have Elvis sing 'Love Me Tender' at my wedding."

The others held out their feet to show that they, too, were wearing the coveted boots. Even Myra sported a pair, and said they kept her feet and legs warm.

"Does anyone have any other news? Worthy news?" Kathryn asked.

"What's taking so long?" Nikki asked.

No one answered her.

The front door opened, and a strong gust of wind blew into the dining room. Charles held up a sheaf of printouts and chortled, "We now have a female president. The headline in the Post said it was because of a massive influx of money that came in rather suddenly that pushed Connor ahead. Actually, the words the paper used were 'massive onslaught of money at just the right time.'

"Now, ladies, what would you like for breakfast? Just say the words, and it's yours."

"What's that noise?" Kathryn asked. She ran to the door and looked out.

"Charles, it's a helicopter! Who's coming? I didn't know we were expecting company," Nikki said.

"We aren't. All of you stay here, I'll see what this is all about."

"Like he thinks we're going to sit here and wait to find out! I-don't-think-so!" Annie said as she grabbed her jacket, her new boots pounding the oak floor. The others followed suit.

Outside in the blustery wind, the steady whump-whump of the helicopter blades was so loud that the women covered their ears.

Kathryn, who bragged that she had the best eyesight of all of them, squealed and yelped, "Look what it says on the helicopter. Air Force One. Oh, myyyy Godddd!"