I made the reservations on Orbitz.
Somewhere between the making of the reservation
and Red Roof Inn receiving it,
the information went
“Poof!”
So here I stand, tired,
it’s 10:52 pm
I’ve been here for over 20 minutes.
It’s hot & it’s humid.
Matthew –
[the Orbitz guy I finally got
on the line after about
20 minutes of “Pachelbel’s Canon”,]
says he’s resending the reservation.
Matthew says it will take 5 minutes.
The Red Roof Inn doesn’t have email,
so Matthew is faxing the reservation.
I am tired.
The two desk clerks are
standing in the doorway
smoking & laughing.
I’m just trying to get to sleep.
– “Will you take out the trash?”
– “Huh?”
– “Will you take out the trash?”
– “Where’ll I put it?”
– “In the dumpster.”
– [giggles] “Yeah…”
They both giggle
I think they’re high.
[Pachelbel’s Canon continues to play]
“Miss…”,
Matthew’s voice is back on the line.
“Will you continue to hold?
I’m processing the reservation…”
I tell him, “Yes, I’ll hold,”
& remind him that he told me
15 minutes ago
it would take 5 minutes.
He giggles.
I think he’s high, too.
Afterword
I lay in bed, deep in sleep,
as soon as my head hit the pillow I was gone.
The phone rings,
I check the clock – it’s midnight.
I grab the receiver in panic, it’s the desk clerk,
“I just wanted to tell you
you’re all set,
you’re good.”
“Uh, um, thanks.
I was asleep.”
I can hear the sound
of a potato chip bag rustling.
“Oh, I’m sorry!”
She giggles.
Now I know she’s high.