Chapter 35 – Plaza Hotel

After a 6-hour long journey from Chicago, Abby and Susan arrive at the Plaza, a hotel rising 15 stories above the pulse of the city of Minneapolis. Abby drove the Jeep down into the parking lot, situated underneath the hotel and pulled up in front of the barrier. She rummaged through her bag to get out her hotel reservation documents and removed a parking card that is attached to it. She pressed the button on the door to wind down the window and reached out of the door to insert the card into the machine. Abby drove into the parking lot after the barrier went up and automatically finds a parking spot and swerved into the free space.

They walked into the lobby of the hotel with their luggage in their hands. Their eyes marvelled at the impressive interior design with retro furniture in the lounge section. Far left is the entrance to the hotel bar and restaurant which is opened to the public not just for the hotel users. The place was bustling with clients on business and vacation. They both walked to the main reception desk.

"Hello, how I may help?" The receptionist greeted, She stood up with a welcoming wide smile, She has auburn colored hair, which is neatly tied up in a bun and smartly dressed in the official hotel company suit. You could mistake her for an airline stewardess.

"Hello I like to check in for my reservation please, the name is Lockhart"

The receptionist sat down in her chair and tapped Abby's name on the PC. She stood up again and walked to the back of the reception area. She removed a letter and key card from the pigeonhole number 45. The receptionist signalled the bellhop over to assist taking the luggage up.

"Please can you both sign here please, for security and fire regulations" She asked sliding the book onto the counter surface towards Abby and Susan.

Abby picked up the pen from the holder and scribbled her signature. Susan scribbled her name too.

The bellhop who is in his early twenties, with ruffled up hairstyle greeted the two women. They both winced as he reeked of body odour. He takes their luggage and signalled to lead the way to the elevator.

"You're kidding me," Abby whispered, pinching her nose dreading having to take a ride with a stinker.

"Enjoy the aroma in the confide space of the elevator" Susan chuckled nudging her friend.

They entered the elevator and he pressed the button for the fourth floor. The doors slowly closed and while they hold their breath they watched at the numbers lit up above the door as they passed each floor. They were praying for the quick ride to the designated floor.

The elevator dinged and the door slid open. Abby and Susan both coughed trying not to gag as they arrived on to the fourth floor by stepping out to the long corridor. They followed the young man to their room, only a few doors away. He slid the key card into the door and opened it to enter the room.

The room is large and spacious with cream and lilac colored emulsion on the walls with two copy prints of Monet's artwork hanging opposite directions. Sliding doors with long curtain draped down the sides, leading out to the balcony. There is a double bed on the left side of the room with high quality cream cotton duvets and crisp linens. On the right, a doorway to the en-suite bathroom with gleaming gold taps and a free standing shower. Another door leads to a walk-in closet. In the corner of the room stood a large plasma screen television with in-room entertainment system providing music, video and hotel information on demand.

"Here you go" The young man smiled lowering the luggage down to the floor and puts his hand in his trouser pocket. "Let me show you around"

Abby and Susan glanced at each other realising that the room has only one bed.

"Erm I think you've got the wrong room" Abby pointed out.

"No ma'am this is room 45"

"But there must be some mistake, I booked a room with two doubles"

Susan shook her head and couldn't help grinning at the mix up.

"Well you will just have to go down to the reception and sort it out from there"

"Damn right I will!" Abby said, feeling disgruntled, she puts her hand in her pocket and handed over a bill to tip the bellhop. "Thanks anyway, I think we can find our way round"

"Nice room" Susan commented with her arms folded, having a nosey round. She grimaced as watches the bellboy leave the room scratching his head frantically. Susan squatted down to see what's behind the cupboard door underneath the television. It was a mini bar, full of miniature bottles of bourbon, gin, vodka and cans of sodas.

"Don't make your self too comfortable I need to get this rooming matter sorted, I won't be long," Abby said letting out a sigh feeling tired from the journey and cranky about Susan's sudden decision about leaving Chicago for good.

Susan glanced at Abby taking a letter out of her bag and jumped when the brunette slammed the door behind her.

Abby stormed out of the elevator and quickly walked across the lobby to get to the reception desk. She can see that there are about half dozen people standing, waiting to be served and pushes her way through the queue. She ignored their disgruntled murmurings.

"Excuse me!" Abby waving her arms and placed her hands flat on the counter leaning forward and abruptly queried, "We've been given the wrong room, I asked for a room with two doubles!"

"I'll just check on the system for you" The receptionist cleared her throat feeling threatened by Abby's assertiveness. She gently tapped away on the PC and scanned her eyes over the information on the screen. "I'm sorry it says double room on the screen"

Abby scoffed "Well one of your colleague has made a mistake inputting the information on the PC because I have a letter here that confirms I have booked a room with two doubles" She said, waving her letter under the woman's nose.

"Oh I'm sorry"

"So can you get the room the I request for please?"

"I'm afraid that we are fully booked up this weekend due to a wedding here"

Abby rolled her eyes and huffed "I gather that would happen, but it's not good enough, your colleague didn't do their job properly"

"You will have to make do with that room or go someplace else"

"Well I have no choice, it's been a long day after travelling for 6 hours and I don't want to mess about by finding another place to stay"

"We are happy to refund the difference"

"Good and I expect to be compensated for the let down too!"

"I will have to look into that, will you excuse me for a minute I need to speak to my manager"

Abby watched the receptionist leave her seat and disappeared through door situated behind the reception. She impatiently drummed her fingers on the counter and forced a smile at another receptionist, who is looking back at her, irritated by the tapping noise. She looked at the customers who are shaking their heads at her for pushing in the queue. Abby thought to herself that she wouldn't ever normally do this, barging through like she did, she is a patient person then again she chuckled to herself because she blamed it on her pregnancy hormones! 'Oh well'

"The manager is happy to give you a voucher for free meal for two in our restaurant with our compliments" The receptionist kindly announced the good news to keep her customer happy.

"Oh… thank you…" Abby said, in a high tone with the surprise.

Abby walked back into the room looking annoyed and threw the letter onto the bed by the flick of her wrist where Susan is sitting, punching the buttons on the remote control, flicking through channels.

"Is everything ok?" Susan asked tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Sorry Suse, we'll have to make do with this room, they're fully booked up and good thing is we got a free meal ticket out of it!" Abby answered waving the voucher.

"Oh well, I don't have a problem sharing the bed with you… and great free food!" Susan chirped and pressed the 'off' button on the remote.

"Susan"

"Yes?" The blonde replied in a soft tone, swinging her head round to look at Abby.

"Since we are sharing this bed…" The brunette said, with one hand on her waist and the other with her finger pointing at Susan's direction.

"Yes?"

"Don't you ever… DARE touch me or you're dead!"

"Likewise…" Susan laughed at her friend's playful threat and rose up on to her feet to place the remote control next to the television. She rubbed her hands together "So are we gonna get something to eat?"

Abby nodded "Sure" picking up her bag and followed Susan to the door. She muttered, "I wonder if any members of family have arrived yet?"