Markus lead the group throughout a series of halls that had been crudely constructed in order to give Dionysus Park living quarters. But as they continued down the corridor the rooms became more luxurious. The walls were covered with beautiful wall paper and each had lights and plumbing. Markus stopped a few doors down from the end and opened door to Eleanor's temporary living quarters. It contained an oak dresser, king sized bed, and a master bedroom. Paintings covered the wall and a thick almost new carpet lay across the floor.
"It is a bit much for just a couple days if even that," said Eleanor astounded.
"Bosses wishes," replied Markus in a gruff voice. "He wishes to grant the best hospitality he can for the daughter of the people."
That was the third time Fred had heard that phrase here. He knew people almost worshipped her but he never understood why. He hated cults anyway.
Not wanting to appear ungrateful, Eleanor accepted the room. "Well then you may tell your boss, Mr. Mathew, that I humbly accept his generosity."
Markus bowed slightly showing off his shiny black head. "I will be back with toiletries for your convenience." He then closed the door and turned to the remaining quests. "Follow me." He led the two men down the hallway in the direction they had come from.
"I bet they give us the worse accommodations," Stanley whispered. He turned out to be only half right. The single room had only one working light that rocked back and forth from the ceiling. The swaying light revealed a musty old bedroom with an even grimier bathroom. Markus opened a closet across the hallway to the bedroom and retrieved some sheets. He then handed the clean sheets to Stanley.
"So where's my room," inquired Fred.
Markus pointed to the same room and walked off. His heavy steps vanished down the hallway.
"I was afraid of that," Fred commented. He sighed and entered the room. He found a random hook beside the bed and hung his hat on it. Stanley was making use of the bathroom when a discouraging sound could be heard in his direction. The sound of the toilet flushing could be heard, then again, then again, then a third time, and finally a fourth time. He then reappeared in the room with a slight greenish tinge to face.
"I finally unclogged the toilet. Don't ask what was in it."
Fred chuckled and Stanley started laughing too. It took the edge of the situation even in light of their accommodations. Working together they made short work of changing the sheets off the bed and threw the old ones on the floor to cover it. Fred got to work pulling off his boots and rubbing his sore feet.
"So what were you going to say about Mathew?"
Stanley chucked off his boots and lay on the bed. "He's just really ambitious to a fault. He finds what the official over him wants and works towards granting that goal even if he has to bend the rules. And he is a womanizer… which puts us in an even worse situation"
"We'll have to find a way to sneak out of here. Where are we headed anyway?"
"To Fontaine Industry headquarters. Gracie thought that if anybody could help Eleanor it would be Gil Alexander. He and Eleanor's mother were associates so he might know something. I don't think Mrs. Holloway trust Sofia Lamb anymore. Not that I do either." Stanley suddenly got to his feet and put his boots back on.
Fred looked at him puzzled. "Where are you going?"
"Out for a walk. I need some air."
"Better not wander too far. The Brute splicers could attack and I think some of the people here aren't too fond of you either."
Stanley nervously laughed then exited the room. He shoved his hands in his pockets and paced. He walked and walked. He thought about this place. He had all the power, money, and woman. He squandered it all after Sofia Lamb had been taken away. And that was due to his rating on her. He lived a life of excess and Stanley hardly even realized until a little girl approached him with his misdeeds. One little girl turned his life on his head and she did not even remember it. She needed to know her sense of right and wrong is what changed him, saved him. She and her father were his saviors.
Stanley looked up just in time to bump into a woman making her rounds cleaning the room. They toppled over with a loud thud. He quickly apologized to the angry woman and helped her pick up the fallen cleaning supplies when the door nearest to them opened. Eleanor appeared with a quizzical look and saw Stanley assisting the woman. She still wore her diving suit but had taken off the arms and tied them around her waist.
"I accidentally knocked into her," Stanley answered to her silent inquiry.
The cleaning lady noticed the young woman and forgot her anger immediately and instead shook Eleanor's hand thanking her. Eleanor blushed at the sudden praise.
"Ah, Stanley, did you want to see me?"
Stanley looked in the room and found that he had been unconsciously walked back to her room. He nodded and entered her well light room.
"Please sit," she said motioning to the chair Stanley had not seen earlier. Eleanor sat on her bed with her legs together and her hands folded on her lap.
Stanley could not help but break into tears. She had grown into such a fine woman despite his actions. From such an immature and childish girl to a proper woman surrounded by decay. It made his heart break.
Seeing his tears Eleanor grabbed the handkerchief Mathew had given her for other purposes and gently dabbed his eyes. "What happened poor Stanley? Did you get into an argument with Fred? Did someone bully you?"
Stanley looked into her sincere eyes and broke into more tears. "I don't deserve such kindness to you after what I did. I was a monster and I even harmed a little girl who was convicting me of my sins. I'm sorry. I should leave." He tried to get up but Eleanor would not let him.
"I already know what you did."
