Marie marched down the hallway to the elevator, almost pushing an elderly woman out of her way. She was walking with one purpose: to meet Dewey's "pop".
The young woman's strength was low, but she strode on and kept her head high.
There was the main elevator.
Marie's pace quickened. Her weak breath started to come in short, wheezing, gasps and her vision clouded up.
She collapsed on the floor, only about five yards from the elevator.
'I'm not too bright, am I?'
The bewildered bystanders faded along with the rest of Marie's surroundings.
Muffled voices danced around Marie's ears.
"Will she be alright?"
"What happened?"
"Is she dead?"
Slowly her eyes opened. She was no longer on the ground in the corridor.
The room she was now in looked sterile and white rather than comfortable.
She blinked.
"Wh- What happened?" She croaked.
A serious-looking doctor clad in white sauntered over to Marie.
"You passed out. You're very ill, you know."
Marie's eyes widened in bafflement.
"What--?"
"We'll be having to get a hold of your parents, young lady."
"I'm nineteen years old, thank you."
"Oh. You appear much younger. Anyway, you have a 105 fever."
"I do!"
"Yes. You will need to stay in here in the hotel's sickbay for quite a few days, or at least until you are well."
Marie groaned and fell back on her cot.
The elderly lady who she had nearly shoved out of the way earlier came over to Marie."
"Dearie, here's some mints. Perhaps something sweet will cease your ailing."
The woman held out a wrinkled, calloused hand with three mints.
"Thank you, ma'am."
She feebly took the mints, ate one, and put the other two on her bedside table.
Marie suddenly remembered the reason for leaving the confinements of her room.
"Um, may I speak to the manager?"
The doctor stared blankly at her.
"…Please?"
"Mr. Todd? Are you joking? He never lets anyone but someone looking for work here speak to him."
Marie perked up.
"… and they can't be current hotel guests."
She slumped back down.
A small man with light grey hair appeared in the doorway.
"I heard a young woman passed out on the fourth floor. I came to visit her."
All the staff in the room looked at the man in awe.
"Mr. Todd!"