Peter pushed his sunglasses up onto his head as he walked into the lobby of the old hotel. The cooler temperature greeted him along with strains of soft music. He glanced around as his eyes adjusted to the dim interior and smiled. This was not one of those big chains that slapped up hostels left and right, throwing cheap art on thin walls covered in impossibly busy paper. This place had weathered time, and done so with a reserved dignity. The wooden walls gleamed softly in the dim lighting and the smell of polishing oil mingled with the sweet scents emanating from the large vases of cut flowers.
"May I help you, Sir?"
He swung towards the reservations desk, laptop securely tucked under his arm in its padded carrying case, amused to see a large ledger and fountain pen dominating the counter. He walked over, extending his hand and introducing himself as the man that was going to help the hotel move into the 21st century. (drag them there kicking and screaming if he was judging the expression on the older man's face correctly)
"I see." came the dry reply, the man behind the desk running his palms over the glossy countertop almost protectively.
Peter smiled, sensing it was time to try to make some friends here.
"I'll certainly suggest that we make sure all the electronics are fitted to the insides of the existing furnishings here. We certainly don't want to ruin the ambiance with a lot of flashing plastic boxes and dangling cords."
That seemed to take some of the starch out of the old geezer, but he certainly wasn't going to be won over that quickly.
"Yes well, I'm sure you do whatever it is you do quite well, young man, but this establishment offers a myriad of amenities and accoutrements to a wide variety of guests and I simply don't believe your fancy plastic boxes, as you put it, are going to distinguish well between them, nor provide them with the individual attention and service they have come to expect from their stays with us."
Peter nodded patiently, acknowledging the man's concerns. Change was always difficult. His mere presence was stressful and sometimes even viewed as an affront to the employees of any given business. All he could do was try to come up with a system that worked for the client. He paused before replying.
"Actually, with your help, I plan to list each service and keep a record of usage so that not only will each room be billed properly, but their needs can be anticipated for any future stays.
That seemed to set the old man aback a little. No doubt it was dawning on him that it would no longer be his sole responsibility to make sure there was fresh liver available for Mrs. Smythe's precious Fifi, or that the Higginses were ALWAYS to be boarded in the South Wing, away from the dawning sun and in a room furnished in blue…specifically… He shook himself abruptly and gave a loud HURRUMPH! Obviously, he was going to be stoically difficult, at least for a little longer, on principles alone.
A soft chuckle drifted over from behind Peter and he turned. There stood a chambermaid, by the looks of her uniform; seemingly trying hard to suppress a smile, but her sparkling eyes belied her apparent amusement.
"Now then, Colonel, why don't you let me have a go at Andrew's whiz kid for the morning. I'll show him first-hand my end of things and if he can organize that you can have at him later. If he turns out to be simply impossible, I'll give Andrew an earful myself…and you know I will…
"The Colonel" harrumphed again, although considerably less loudly this time.
The maid cocked her head left. "Follow me then." she said amicably enough and started down the hallway. "I'm Brenda, "she shot back over her shoulder. Peter began extending his hand and then drew it back realizing she was not looking at him at all, but expecting him to follow, and that her shorter legs had set a rather brisk pace. He jogged a few paces to catch up.