A bumpy, chattering wooden horse-pulled cart carried Stan and Ollie into the afternoon of a small Bavarian alpine village. Early spring kissed the area with embracing rolling green hills spotted with flowers connected to the snow-capped mountains. Locals nodded, waved, and welcomed the two visitors as the cart went by. Floral decorations framed quaint structures with sprinkles of seasonal sweets, treats, and temptations.
The hotel matron greeted the two men with a smile bright as the afternoon while Stan and Ollie sluggishly slid from the back of the cart with their luggage.
Oliver and Stanley walked into the small hotel toward the front desk, nodding their heads in acknowledgment at the matron telling them 'good afternoon.' The hotel matron then ran behind the front desk, quickly opening the guest book. Stan turned his back away from Ollie as Oliver signed in both their names. The matron looked down in delight at the signatures, then turned away toward the small wall of hanging room keys.
"Let's go..." Oliver said to Stan, in a sharp, short, breathy tone, picking up his suitcase.
Stan walked over to the guest book, scratched out his name, and wrote it with a large 'x.' Oliver paused and looked at Stan with lowered eyes, then shifted his gaze to the guest book. The matron held the room key, looking on at the both of them. Oliver's sight then landed back on Stan.
"Really...?" Oliver asked Stan.
Stan looked away, blinking a few times, holding his suitcase. The hotel matron's eyes darted back and forth between the two, then she cleared her throat and took in a light breath.
"Well, boys," She said with a slightly nervous chuckle. "Your room is on the second floor, and its number is 210."
"Thank you, dear," Oliver responded with a forced smile and tired eyes.
Stan nodded at the matron then rushed past Oliver. The matron and Oliver watched Stan go up the stairs and disappear down the second-floor hall. The matron tapped her fingers on the guest book, then closed it, dropping her eyes to the top of the front desk.
"I hope you two have a good rest..."
"Yes... I hope so too." Oliver replied.
Stan sharply turned away from Oliver as Oliver met him in front of the hotel room door. Ollie blinked a few times, looking at Stan's back toward him. Mr. Hardy sighed vocally, shook his head, and opened the room door. Stan suddenly rushed in, squeezing past Oliver. Ollie froze with his eyes widened at Stan. Mr. Hardy hurried in, slamming the door behind him.
"I do not know why you are testing my nerves, but I want a good rest after that prison sentence with plates back in Switzerland! You're not the only one tired from that experience!" Oliver said.
Ollie then slammed down his suitcase and sat on the same side of the bed as Stan. Stan then rose up and sat on the other side of the bed. Oliver went still, looked forward then lowered his eyes with a few blinks. Ollie sighed, dropping his tense muscles, loosening his tie, and unbuttoning his shirt. Oliver turned his head toward Stan, who was tugging and snapping at his clothing with his back turned to Ollie. Oliver swallowed softly, then formed a light smile on his face and rested his palm on the bed as he continued to loosen his necktie.
"Well... How about a bath, Stanley? We could both use one. Then we-"
"It's not Saturday!" Stan snapped at Oliver. Stan popped his shoe off his foot and threw it into the nearby corner.