I’m poised on the precipice, a glint of steel resolve making my eyes sparkle with seriousness. In my left hand is the 100 page RNC rooming list- the one we had to sign out from the city of St. Paul and swear its contents to absolute secrecy. Hotel management is spread out in a semicircle surrounding me- their eyes follow the list’s every flip and flutter in the wind. In my right hand is a lighter.
Those eyes declare my absolute commitment and no one present tries to placate me with dulcet tones. Instead, with a defeatist air- a single question...
‘Your terms, Kell?’
‘It’s really quite simple gentlemen- give me what I want and you can have your list back safe and sound. Deny me and...’
The collective gasp that follows is magnificent as I strike the light and bring its flame precariously close, the threat of Republican obliteration in the air. Tension is palpable, every detail is highlighted- from the glint of sweat on the Director of Sales’ brow, tendrils of my hair dancing on the breeze- slow motion like, and the almost comical distress in the faces of 3 of my managers.
‘Sign the request form gentlemen... sign it and all of this can be ove-‘
Kell? KELL?!
Me: *bleary-eyed and slack mouthed* Uh, erm... Wassat?
Melissa from Sales: *appearing almost magically at the end of my desk, arms full of contracts and resumes* Sweetie? How’s that rooming list coming? You’re looking a little spacey right now... Everything ok? Did the AGM get back to you yet about your vacation?’
Me: *rubbing my eyes, letting the familiar environment come back into focus- pushing out pictures of me in a pleather jumpsuit* Um... kinda- he uh, laughed.
So I did a stupid thing (this probably will not surprise many of you). The excitement caused by getting my passport made me crazy. Crazy to travel, that is! So I bought a plane ticket, non-refundable of course. And there were several factors that made me purchase impulsively. Several. None of them are an excuse however. I booked a flight out of Minneapolis during the beginning weekend of the Republican National Convention. No wonder flights are so much cheaper that weekend. Oops.
I called the front desk manager the minute I realized my mistake. He wasn’t happy about it but promised to take my cause to the AGM. Today at work, after unsuccessfully setting up a meeting with him for most of the day, I managed to corner him in our restaurant. I stood there and took all of the reprimand for my irresponsibility with what I hoped was a proper chastised look on my face. And then! Then he just walked away... laughing. I followed him and he informed me we were done and he couldn’t be expected to make an exception for me- no one else could take time off, why did I think I was special?
But... but... Oh hell.
I knew he was right. I didn’t feel mad... I didn’t feel much of anything all day- I just sat there dazed, trying to think of someway to fix this situation (getting the mental most out of my black pleather outfit, nothing really helpful). Near the end of the shift, just as Stephanie was coming in to water the flowers- I started my usual shut down/close up routine at my desk. I had just locked the rooming list up when someone came round my back and dropped a couple of pages of paper over my shoulder. I look at the document sitting directly in front of me and I can’t quite believe my eyes. It says- Normandy waiver to get Kell out of the country! My eyes get bigger and bigger as I make my way down the list and see all of my coworkers names on it! I look up- still uncomprehendingly. Stan is at my back with a huge smile on his face- the rest of my coworkers are at the front desk looking pleased with themselves.
‘Wha..?’
‘Stephanie told us about your problem. We all decided you weren’t being malicious- just yourself as always and that’s why we love you.’
The AGM just sighed as he added his name to the now almost complete list. I really wanted to throw that ‘special’ comment back at him but I restrained myself. There’s only one name I need now. And that name happens to belong to the owner of the hotel- our GM.
I’m meeting with him tomorrow. Wish me luck- I think I’m going to need it.
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