The old man at reception nods to Alice. “Yes, Miss Rogers. Mr. Andi believes that there are branches of the AR to be found around the hotel. All manner of information to be uncovered there. Lost dreams, forgotten secrets, hidden deeds, even a good story or two.”
“Thank you,” says Alice. She steps back, and I take the hint and follow her. “I need a coffee,” she says, and I let her escort me to an table, impossibly empty amongst the colourful crowds. A coffee sounds good, but I also want to talk about this hall, and the people in it.
I sink into a wonderful leather armchair, and close my eyes. It feels so good to just block everything out and relax for a moment. The tension ebbs away, as if the chair is draining it out of me, and some of the aches subside too.
The scent of strong, rich coffee snaps me out of my reverie. Someone has left a large silver pot on the table, along with a salver of cream and a small pot of what looks like honey which Alice is tipping into her cup. I pour myself some of the coffee, and take a swig. Damn, it’s good. Really good.
I pour a second cup, and sit back. “You pulled us out of there pretty fast.”
Alice nods. “Yeah. Mr. Andi is sweet, but sometimes he seems a bit confused. I thought it was best to get away on a high note.”
“Hm, OK.” I look up at the hall, and it seems to me that we’re a discreet distance away from the crowds. “This table is a bit convenient, isn’t it? And Mr. Andi being free like that?”
She shrugs lightly. “It’s just the way it is. There’s always a table when you want one, and Mr. Andi never has anyone else with him.”
“Oh.” I take another sip of coffee, and decide it doesn’t really matter. “And the hall…”
“Always busy,” she says. “The size varies, though.”
I nod. “Right. Of course it does.”
“As far as I can tell, the people come from all over the hotel.” Alice sighs. “It’s never far to reception or back to your room. Not for anyone. I’ve been in here quite a lot, and there are some people I’ve seen a few times. The gent in the blood-red topper, for example. The one with the wolf. He’s often here. But there’s always a lot of new faces. The population of the hotel must be vast.”
“And that means it’s playing games, if everyone is close by.”
“Yeah,” says Alice. “It does. Friends’ rooms are always close, as well.”
She said something before about layout changing. But if it’s not fixed, then everything gets so much harder. A momentary wave of panic sweeps over me, but the chair siphons it away. We’ll find a way. The coffee really is good.
An idea occurs to me. “You’ve been here a few months, haven’t you.”
Alice nods, hesitantly. “Yes, I… I think so.”
Interesting. I file that away. “But there are longer term residents.”
She nods again.
“Then it stands to reason that some people know more about how this place works than others, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“So why don’t we try to find someone who can induct us into the mysteries of this place?”
Alice’s face falls. “But where…”
“Information is power, and power brokers like to be at the heart. If anyone does know anything, he or she will be represented here. In this hall. Somewhere.”
She nods slowly, but she’s clearly still reluctant. “But there’s going to be…”
I cut her off. “A price? Yes, sure. But I know how these people work. Trust me.”
She swallows. “Alright. But we must be careful.”
"Of course," I say. "Why don't we try starting with..."
- "... the guy with the wolf and the hat." (42%)
- "... your friend Massinisa." (33%)
- "... Mr. Andi." (8%)
- "... that blue-painted woman." (8%)
- "... a likely-looking passer by." (9%)
Voting Closes at: August 28, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Loading ...Today’s picture: “A ‘heart’y carmelatto” by Phr3qu3ncy