Saturday Stories. #31

Good morning everyone! It is a beautiful day here, the sun is shining, the temperature is very nice, a rather perfect fall day. Muffin is waiting, rather impatiently, for her patch of sunshine to appear. One time, quite a few years ago, I was driving to a place, just to get away for a few days. It was around 9pm and I stopped at a motel along the highway, just outside of a small town.

I went inside, the man at the desk was sitting reading a newspaper. “What can I do for you?” he asked. “Is there a restaurant close by?” I asked. “Yep, in town, but the food is terrible,” he said, “actually it’s a bar, but they serve meals. Noisy place. Terrible food.” “Is there a better restaurant?” I asked. “Yep,” he said. Silence. “Where is it?” I asked.

Plane landing on the lake.

“About 10 miles up the road,” he replied. I was about to leave and he added, “It’s closed though, closes at 8, opens at 8.” “Is there another one that would be open?” I asked. “Yep,” he said. Silence. A sane person would have left by now, but I enjoy these kinds of things. I know, I’m strange. But it does provide things to write about. Anyway, “Where is it located?” I asked. “Oh, about 30 miles up the road,” he said.

“Thanks,” and I was about to leave when he added, “Then turn right and go for a bit ’til you see it.” “How far is a bit?” I asked. “About 20 miles,” he said. “Is there a motel in that area?” I asked. “Nope, have to go another 40 miles,” he said. “I think I will stay here for tonight,” I said, “do you have a room available?” “Yep,” he said, “single or double?” “Single,” I said. “Don’t have any singles available, only doubles,” he replied.

Same plane with a boat in the foreground.

I wasn’t sure if I should scream or laugh. He was still reading his newspaper. “I will take the double,” I said. “With or without air conditioning?” he asked, “$2 more for air conditioning.” “I don’t need air conditioning,” I said. “They all have air conditioning,” he said. “Fine,” I answered. “One or two pillows?” he asked, “they are 50 cents each extra.” “One is fine,” I said. “Doubles have 2 pillows,” he said. “Fine,” I replied.

“Would you like the complimentary coffee?” he asked, “Dollar extra for that.” “I don’t want the coffee,” I said. “All rooms have coffee,” he said. “Fine,” I replied. “Would you like a blanket?” he asked. Silence. I was waiting for a price for the blanket. “How much for the blanket?” $5 each,” he said, “gets cold with that air conditioning.” I assumed that meant the air conditioning was on all the time, I sure wasn’t going to ask.

Another boat coming in after the plane has docked.

“Forget it,” I said, “I will just keep driving.” “Oh, stingy type,” he said. I left and he kept reading his newspaper. There was a nice hotel just 30 miles away. He forgot to mention that. Oh well, it was quite interesting though. Once I was settled in my room I laughed loud and long. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2024 Steve McLeod.