"Everyone, may I have your attention?" Nearly everyone was in the lobby, the reporter had just finished recording, and the clock had just struck seven. After a few moments, the crowd quieted down and focused on Keane.
"I believe it is time for dinner to be served," he said with a smile, "So, if everyone would just head down the hall and turn to your right, you may sit down anywhere you would like and we were start serving you." It was a good thing they had so much extra food as it is, otherwise they would've had to charge for the meal, and Keane wasn't sure if quite as many people would've came if that were the case.
A buzz of excitement filled the room. They had heard the dining room had been changed, they just didn't know. Once the crowd entered the wide room, those who had seen it before definitely agreed that it was an improvement.
While the lobby had kept it's beautiful interior and the rooms adapted a more home-y feel to them, the dining room had taken on more of a fun and casual attitude. The curtains were open, showing off the pool, gardens and day care/stable outside. The black and white tablecloths were gone, now they were all a beautiful shade of purple. At the far side of the room, since the waffle bar wasn't going to be running at night, Wander decided it would be a great place to get desserts and drinks. So, in the 'toppings' containers, there was now ice cream and next to it was a drink machine (which Wander bought for the hotel with his own money) for any and all adult customers to enjoy.
The candles were gone, and instead of yellow lights that casted shadows on the black walls and made the room actually feel darker than brighter, the lightbulbs were now multicolored. Different spots of color lined the walls because of them, lighting up the room and giving it more color at the same time. Finally, in the back of the room was a piano (since Wander thought live music was more fun to listen to that music on a cd), a small space for people to dance, and a beautiful mural stretching across the wall.
Wander never would've guessed Adelpha was such a great artist, but with her drawing skills, Wander's knowledge of the universe and some paint and chalk collected from the hotel storage, they were able to create a beautiful scene. The planet Purlet of course took up most of the space and looked the best. Surrounding it were its moon, some nearby planets and a beautiful collection of stars. It was truly something to be proud of.
While the food was being served up, Wander simply stood in the back of the room, pleased with what he had done. His mind flashed back to the last time he had eaten in the hotel's dining room. What had only been a few people before was now a full house.
Instead of keeping to their own table, people were talking to other tables close by. He could see the Bingleborps talking to what looked like a Purlet gardener, most likely discussing their planets' gardens. The Gemhead children in the empty space playing with other children while their parents (Wander noted how much happier their mother looked than before) watched. There were people were sitting by the bar, sharing drinks and desserts in between conversations, and it looked like even Miss Penpap and her cameraman were enjoying themselves. Wander knew that the waiters had set out comment cards at the tables to see how much everyone liked the changes, and Wander had no doubts that they would say nothing but great things.
Suddenly, a set of scales on the piano suddenly caught Wander's attention. It looked like the hotel's head chef (who was also a great piano player as Wander would soon find out) had finished his cooking duties for the night and was now deciding to add a little music to the room. Mouth opened in a wide smile, Wander quickly reached into his hat, pulled out his faithful banjo, and quickly ran over to the chef/pianist.
Not too many people had heard a banjo and piano duet before, and even fewer would think that one would work, but surprisingly Wander and the chef sounded great together. Before the night was through, more than a few people had gotten up and danced.
By the time everyone had left, it was nearly ten at night. Everyone was exhausted, but happy. All the employees plus Wander and Sylvia were now sitting around a couple tables and sharing some leftover desserts. There wasn't much talking, but it was a comfortable sort of silence.
"Well then," Adelpha said, setting down her empty bowl, "Shall we read the comment cards?"
"I suppose so," Keane replied, standing up, "I told everyone to place them in the box on the front desk, so I'll just go-"
"I don't think there's any need for that." Suddenly, everyone's eyes were on the short Purlet who had just walked through the door.
"D-Dad? Uh, when did you get here?"
"Around suppertime," Gorman answered, "With everyone in here it was easy to just walk inside. While everyone was leaving, I took it upon myself to read their cards, although I only got through about a dozen before I stopped. They all pretty much said the same things, and I think you two are smart enough to know that nearly everyone was pleased."
He thought for a moment. "The only thing I don't know is how in the world did you two do all this in one day without me even noticing?"
"Well, we had a lot of help," Keane answered, "and I guess when you think about it there wasn't really much to change, just small little additions."
"Hmm," was all Gorman had to say.
"So, do you like it?" Adelpha asked him, voicing what was on everyone's mind.
Gorman had to think about that for a moment. He was no means angry with his children and employees. At the same time, it was his hotel. It was how he envisioned it ever since he first thought of the idea, and while he knew that his ideas along with having no change was their problem in the first place, he still couldn't help but feel a bit agitated.
However, there was another feeling that far out did the other, and that was pride. It wasn't just his hotel anymore, it was his family's. The fact that his son and daughter took it upon themselves to try and get the hotel some business again showed Gorman that they didn't just think of it as a job they were forced to have like so many others would. Besides, Keane was right when he had said the 'changes' had just been little things - though they made a big impact. But it was still the Grand Purlet Hotel, and he couldn't argue with that.
"Well, it will take some getting used to, I'll admit," Gorman said finally, "but I think it'll be just fine." He smiled slightly, and his employees smiled back at him. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing a slight spike in business starting now."
"I know I'll be coming back for a visit!" Wander said happily. Surprisingly, Gorman hadn't really noticed the Star Nomad and the Zbornak sitting with his workers until that moment.
"And you are?" the owner asked.
"A friend," Wander said simply.
"More than that," Adelpha added, "He helped come up with nearly all of the ideas for things to add to the hotel."
'Him?' Gorman couldn't help but think. The nomad looked friendly and cheerful, but he didn't exactly look like an entrepreneur or professional designer. 'But, who am I to look a gift zbornak in the mouth?'
"Well, thank you," Gorman said, nodding at Wander, "And while we technically didn't hire you, I say you definitely deserve some sort of payme-"
"No way," Wander said, interrupting him, "You put that check book away!" A smile returned to his face. "I just wanted to help you guys, I didn't expect to get anything out of it, and I ain't expecting - or accepting - anything now."
"But Wander, we want to thank you," Adelpha told him.
"It doesn't have to be money," Keane chimed in, "You said you were a traveler, we could give you some supplies. Isn't there anything you want, we really do want to thank you with something."
Wander was about to deny again when he stopped. He rubbed the back of his arm, almost as if he didn't want to ask. "Well, you don't have to of course, but if you don't mind there is one thing that I've had my eye on that I wouldn't mind borrowing until the next time I visit..."
()()()()()()()
"Come on Sylvia, this one has your name on it! You can't start a new trip without a hardy meal!"
"Wander, please, I'm still stuffed after the first batch." She held up their map, "Now please finish up soon. We have to leave now if we want to make it to Quaiknarg by tonight!"
"Alright, just give me a couple seconds." Wanting to sleep under the stars, Wander and Sylvia had checked out of the hotel the previous night, but not before taking a few more pictures and packing up the gift Keane and Adelpha had given them.
The battery powered waffle maker dinged, and Wander quickly placed the hot waffle on a plate. Along with the iron, he had been given a bag of Just-Add-Water waffle mix, but everyone knew that if Wander was using it, it would probably only last a week at most. But that didn't matter, Wander would enjoy every breakfast until then.
Quickly smothering it with whipped cream and strawberries, Wander folded the waffle up like a taco, drizzled a little syrup over at, and ate it whole. With breakfast officially finished, Wander gathered everything up and hopped onto Sylvia's back in record time.
"Alright, Let's hit the road!"
"Now that's what I'm talking about!"
Blowing a huge bubble around them, the two best friends floated up into the atmosphere, leaving behind a great hotel and leaving with great new memories (and a full stomach).
The End.
Hope you guys enjoyed the last chapter, sorry it was kinda short. Anyway, please review, have a nice night and hopefully I'll think of another WoY fic soon. Thanks again for all your support *hugs all my readers*