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Central International Airport This choice: Jessica heads to the hotel bar • Go Back...Chapter #5"We'll make you smile, PROMISE!" by: TPC2007   Jessica thanked the young woman at the counter and followed the bell-person to her room. Initially she had insisted that it wasn't necessary that she be helped but her request was ignored, or unheard. She couldn't actually tell if the silent, slight person she was following was male or female. She attempted to make out the name on the gold toned name badge but it was obscured by a large yellow ribbon which read in large blue print, "We'll make you smile, PROMISE!" Long tawny brown hair covered most of the employees face which was directed toward the floor even as the large cart hesitated and lurched around a corner of the dimly lit hall.
"Room 112", the employee said as they unlocked the door, still looking at the floor.
The luggage was unloaded and Jessica attempted to make some conversation as she searched her wallet for the two-dollar Euro coin she admired at the currency exchange. Placing it in the attendants hand she inquired about the yellow plastic barrier tape she noticed as they passed the neighboring Suite 110.
"Thank you, That room is closed for repair-will there be anything else" the androgynous figure responded.
"Yes, can you direct me to the hotels restaurant please?"
"There is a map on the dresser that lists the pub. Will that be all now?"
"Yes, thank you" Jessica replied. And with that the figure returned from the direction in which they had come, head still bowed down to the floor below.
Jessica freshened herself in the bathroom and thought about how strange the bell-person had acted. Maybe there were just shy, she thought. She could hear their response about Suite 110 replaying in her head. The only lilt that the bell-persons voice made was on the words "That room". Everything else had been flat and monotone with no inflection at all. As she went past Suite 110 she heard "That room" echoing in her head and hoped she would feel better after grabbing a bite to eat.
Sure enough there was "The Pub" as the sign read, just where the map had directed her. She was seated at a small cocktail table by a bubbly young Asian woman whose smile warmed the room and made her feel much more at ease than the bell-person had. "Rose will be with you straight away.", she beamed as she bounced off.
As she waited for a menu she opened her book which slipped out of her hands to the floor. I have heard of not being able to put a book down, she thought to herself, but not being able to hold onto one? As she knelt to scoop up the book a piece of a paper that appeared to be a torn and folded ticket stub from British Airways fell out. The words, "Be Careful" were scrawled on it in small, non-descript, block letters. She examined it for any identifying information such as a name, seat or row number but found none.
Now Jessica was frightened. Instinctively looking around as if the author of the warning would be directly behind her, her heart quickened.
"Excuse me" Jessica said as she left, "The Pub" nodding to the perky hostess. "I'm not feeling well, is there a room service menu I can take with me?" The hostess gave her a post-card sized leaf that read, "THE PUB-TAKE AWAY"
Jessica quickly took herself away to her room. As she approached Suite 110 she heard the words, "That Room" again echoing in her head. Then she smelled a familiar,unpleasant smell. She couldn't quite remember where she had encountered it before. Then as she slipped the key into the doorknob of her room she remembered. She had smelled that obscure, cheap cologne while waiting to check in to her flight to London. It seemed like it had happened a lifetime ago.
Locking the door behind her and latching the safety chain in place she grabbed the chair from in front of the small writing desk and slid it under the doorknob.   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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