All photographs are taken and owned by William Holby.

In Part 2. of this series, I discussed our adventures into the tunnels of Las Vegas, and the homeless population which inhabits it. In this conclusion, I will talk about the ideology that fuels Vegas, The American Dream.

The "American Dream" is a pretty known concept by now, so I'm not going to waste your time by explaining the definition. I'm sure at some point an educator has forced you to endlessly analyze F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic, The Great Gatsby, for its relentless commentary on how "The American Dream" can destroy lives. For many who fail to achieve their dreams, this ideology becomes merely a delusion. In Las Vegas, there are many people chasing this dream. The bright billboards, casinos, and elaborate shows confirm this possibility.

During our trip we ran into many people trying to make a living on the busy Vegas strip. We spent such a large amount of time in the area, hence we began running into the same promoters, street performers, beggars, and drug dealers. In fact, one drug dealer stopped us to inquire about our photography. He told us that he is planning on opening a photography studio of his own, but was worried that the public wouldn't understand his "futuristic" concept of having strippers "dance in public". We were confused about what exactly he was talking about, but I took his contact and kept it moving.

One man we met, however, always pops into my mind when I think about "The American Dream". While watching a young group of street performers sing bad, but admirable, renditions of popular songs, we noticed a man sitting next to us, talking to himself. Next to him was a dolly, along with what looked like his belongings which he traveled with. Over the course of the trip, we noticed this man sitting at the same spot every night. Eventually, we befriended the man, and he opened up with us about his story. He told us that a few years ago he moved to Vegas, because a friend of his told him there was plenty of opportunity in the city. Unfortunately, he has not found work in the city, but he carries along his dolly everywhere he goes, hoping that one day someone walks along and notices the dolly's functionality. Then, the dolly would be put to use, and he would have a job.

Chasing the American Dream.

Thank you to everyone who followed me through this journey! Stay tuned for more articles about film, college, and other adventures I embark on.