And it might have stayed here, too

New York ain't got nothin' on Las Vegas when it comes to renting a tart for the evening.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, as the world knows by now, allegedly spent $4,300 for a "high-class" prostitute to take the train from New York City to Washington, D.C., and spend the night with him.

Based on the going rate we've heard about Nye County for rental services, $4,300 seemed kinda cheap.

Laraine Harper, the former madame for one of the better tart rental joints in Nye County, was surprised, too.

A "straight lay" at a legal brothel in Nevada, she said, will run about $1,000. But a whole night can run up to $20,000. And if you want a "bungalow party," which involves more time and more ladies of the evening, you can drop $100,000 easily.

When it comes to consorting with soiled doves, "you can drive a Saturn or you can drive a Cadillac," Harper says.

By Nevada standards, she says, Spitzer was driving a Saturn.

Full disclosure: Harper has written a book, "Madame Dream Maker," that will be published this year by Stephens Press, which is owned by Stephens Media LLC, owner of the R-J.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Ashley Alexandra Dupre, the call girl named in the Spitzer case, lists Celine Dion as a "top five" friend on her MySpace page. The wannabe singer's song "What We Want" was getting major play time Wednesday, with more than 400,000 plays by 6 p.m. Pacific time at www.myspace.com/ninavenetta. Along with Dion, Dupre named Madonna, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige and Amy Winehouse on her "top five" friends list. ...

Former Miss Nevada Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann in "Gilligan's Island," is back in the headlines. Wells, whose father ran the Thunderbird Hotel, was busted for possession of marijuana in her car near her home in Driggs, Idaho. But her lawyer told TMZ.com that a third party came forward and claimed full responsibility for the marijuana. Wells, 69, pleaded guilty last month to one count of reckless driving and received a five-day sentence that was suspended. ...

A reliable MGM Mirage source says repercussions from the IRS raid at Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace and LAX nightclub at Luxor are "bigger than you can ever imagine. Change is an understatement. The accounting is being deconstructed right now by the feds," and it could take months. He added that "there is an immense amount of pressure on the hotels to not outsource these venues going forward ... the heart of the ops will be taken in-house." ...

The "Show in the Sky" at the Rio will return with a new cast. "The show is definitely not closing, but the current cast's last day is April 8. We're looking at some changes," said Celena Haas, director of public relations for the Rio. ...

"Mamma Mia!" star Carol Linnea Johnson, who plays the lead (Donna), gets hitched in every show. But there was a sweet twist in Tuesday's show. The role of the priest conducting the wedding, Father Alexander, was played by her real-life husband, Don Burroughs. That means she's been both married to her husband and married by her husband (at least on stage).

SIGHTINGS

Kevin Spacey, chatting on the red carpet at Planet Hollywood Resort on Wednesday about horseback riding at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area during an off day while shooting "21" last year. ... Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr., at KOI (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Tuesday for a party honoring their upcoming Paramount release "Tropic Thunder." The studio decorated KOI to look like a jungle complete with dancers in camouflage bikinis. ... Actresses Helen Hunt and Jessica Alba and singer Gladys Knight, spotted separately Tuesday at Bette Midler's "The Showgirl Must Go On" at Caesars Palace. ... Laurence Fishburne, at the 9:30 p.m. performance of Cirque du Soleil's "Ka" on Tuesday at the MGM Grand. ... Stiller, checking out the Playboy Club (Palms) with family and friends Tuesday. In town for ShoWest, Stiller is staying in a two-story Sky Villa in the Fantasy Tower at the Palms.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The New York Times reported that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was a customer of a high-end prostitution ring and that the prostitutes knew him as "Client-9." Not surprisingly, Clients 1-8 were Charlie Sheen." -- Conan O'Brien

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.