Friends, family and fans raised candles toward illusionist Roy Horn's hospital room Sunday night in a tribute to the animal trainer who remains in critical but stable condition.
It was the second public vigil in a week, a somber gathering of more than 100 people outside University Medical Center, where Horn has been hospitalized since Oct. 3.
That night Montecore, one of his white tigers, clamped its jaws around his neck during a performance. Horn required surgery for a crushed windpipe and suffered a stroke while being treated.
Horn's injuries forced the closure of "Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage" after a 13 1/2-year run. Some of the 267 members of the cast and crew from the show brought their wives, husbands, children, and even their dogs to the hospital's parking lot Sunday to display support for Horn while wondering where they might find work.
Julie Ellison, who said she had worked for an assistant general manager to Siegfried & Roy for the past three "great years."
"Right now, we're just praying for Roy, then we'll look for another job," Ellison said.
Culinary Union worker Maria MacNeice lost her job at the end of last week.
"We love Roy, but we have to be realists," MacNeice said.
Alan Feldman, senior vice president of public affairs for MGM MIRAGE, said at a press conference Friday that the company will do everything in its power to make sure the workers get jobs. However, the workers are divided into employment categories that affect what the company can do for them.
Out of the 267 workers, 65 were dancers and entertainers employed by Feld Entertainment, not MGM MIRAGE. Of the 202 MGM MIRAGE employees, 68 bartenders and servers are covered under a Culinary Union contract, he said. The remaining 134 are non-union backstage crew members, including security guards and animal trainers.
"Objective No. 1 is to find employment for them within our company," Feldman said of the MGM MIRAGE employees. "Objective No. 2 is to find employment."
Feldman said the show's MGM MIRAGE workers who have been with the show for 60 or more days will receive any accrued vacation time and two weeks' pay. They also have recall rights if the hotel should need more workers for six months.
Employees who have been with the show more than a year will receive from one month to six months' severance pay, depending on seniority, Feldman said.
"We're very optimistic that we're going to be able to find jobs for them within our family," he said. MGM MIRAGE owns 12 hotels, including the Bellagio. MGM Grand, New York-New York and Treasure Island. Feldman said the company would hold a job fair for exclusively for the Siegfried & Roy workers.
A small number of Danny Gans workers in the Culinary Union have lost their jobs because of the seniority of Siegfried & Roy workers, according to Feldman. Employees of the two showrooms are treated as a single group.
At the vigil, workers praised Siegfried & Roy as good employers.
Former housekeeper Susana Silvas, who worked for Horn for nine months, said he was a "special" employer.
"He was the kindest employer I ever met," Silvas said, recalling that he showed special kindness when her mother died. "I will never forget. I believe in a miracle, and he's a miracle in process."
Raquel "Rose" Zeiler, who worked in Siegfried & Roy's show for the last 22 years, said Horn was always looking out for her and the other employees.
"Roy has always been so good to us," she said. Once, when one of her paychecks was late, Zeiler said, Horn gave her a $100 bill.
He also gave his robe to her once when she was cold backstage, saying, "It makes me feel like I have my arms around you," she recalled.
Horn's brother, Alfred, who had flown in from Scotland after Horn was injured Oct. 4, told those at the vigil that "He's better, he's getting better each day. He's physically very strong."
Feldman said Horn's condition remained critical but stable on Sunday night.
"We're here another day, and that's progress," Feldman said.
Fans also brought their good wishes to the hospital, hoping Horn would get better.
Karen Nelson, who teaches at the Ruthe Deskin Elementary School in the northwest valley, said she came to the vigil with a giant poster signed by students, teachers and well-wishers for Horn.
"I was fortunate enough to see him three times," Nelson said, "and I look forward to seeing him again."
Harvey Lavante, who has lived in Las Vegas off and on since 1988, saw the Siegfried & Roy show Sept. 28.
"I've traveled all over the world and it's the best show I've ever seen," Lavante said.
His nephew, Fermia Garcia, who is visiting Las Vegas from Spain, attended the vigil with Lavante.
"I'll never forget the show," Garcia said. "I hope he'll be well."
New York City resident Beth Stern traveled to Las Vegas with reservations to take in the Siegfried & Roy show for the ninth time but instead spent her evening at the vigil.
When she saw the show two year ago, she went backstage and had her photograph taken with Horn.
"I've got the picture in my hotel room," Stern said, adding that she always stays at The Mirage.
"There is a lack of something," Stern said, trying to put closing of the show in perspective. "I do love Las Vegas, but I won't be wandering the Strip anymore.
"The Mirage isn't the same."
archive