The Guest Who Disappeared Into The Night
A quarrel
Hotel canteen, 15 July, 10:35 a.m.
Bryan and Mei-Hua are sitting in the hotel canteen, enjoying their coffee and cookies, while waiting for Isaac Kenley to come and fetch them to their room.
Bryan Dawson
So, what do you think, Mei-Hua?
Pan Mei-Hua
Think about what?
Bryan Dawson
About this place, of course!
Pan Mei-Hua
What can I say?
Pan Mei-Hua
It's clearly obvious that Mr. and Mrs. Harris aren't used to run a hotel business.
Pan Mei-Hua
I can see they're very nervous, yet try to maintain calm.
Pan Mei-Hua
I can really understand that their first guests of the season - including us - are of their utmost importance if they want to secure their business.
Bryan Dawson
Hey, come on.
Bryan Dawson
Don't all businesses want to have a secure flow of customers?
Pan Mei-Hua
But in this digital age, a simple "word of mouth" isn't enough.
Pan Mei-Hua
You know how people like to give businesses reviews on the Internet.
Pan Mei-Hua
Even if many of the reviews are utterly garbage, new businesses wouldn't want to get a bad reputation from the start, would they?
Bryan Dawson
I really can't argue with that.
Pan Mei-Hua
I think it's very smart of Mr. and Mrs. Harris to make use of a bus service, connecting the hotel to the nearest city.
Pan Mei-Hua
But I'd say this hotel is more like an "improved roadhouse" than a resort.
Pan Mei-Hua
Haven't you noticed?
Pan Mei-Hua
The hotel is located close to the only main road of this area.
Pan Mei-Hua
We're basically in the middle of nowhere, with the nearest human settlement 4 kilometres away, besides the city from which we came with the bus.
Pan Mei-Hua
The business is run by a middle-aged married couple that has only two employees.
Pan Mei-Hua
What more can we expect from the hotel?
Bryan Dawson
Come to think of it...
Bryan Dawson
Wasn't there an older lady at the main doors?
Pan Mei-Hua
She must be the housemaid.
Pan Mei-Hua
She went directly in while the Harrises greeted us at the bus.
Pan Mei-Hua
Add Mr. Kenley, and we have two employees.
Pan Mei-Hua
Considering the expense running a small hotel like this, and the fact that this is the Harrises's first time to run it...
Pan Mei-Hua
I doubt they can afford more employees than that.
Bryan Dawson
I'm so sorry, Mei-Hua.
Bryan Dawson
Had I known that the low cost to rent the room was only a cover price to get many guests, I wouldn't have chosen this place for your vacation!
Pan Mei-Hua
It's alright, Bryan.
Pan Mei-Hua
What has happened, has happened.
Pan Mei-Hua
We do need to relax from the busy city life, after all.
Suddenly, someone gives the pair an applause from behind.
Mei-Hua turns around to see the tall and pale man from before - the man who Stanley Daniels was looking at earlier.
Hunter Atkinson
I couldn't help but listen to your reasoning.
Hunter Atkinson
While you were spot on about this place, you've been neutral so far.
Hunter Atkinson
I think your friend really wanted to know what you personally think of this... Roadhouse.
Pan Mei-Hua
And you seem to also wish to know my opinion?
Hunter Atkinson
It's not everyday I meet... Let's say a "refined" person such as you.
Bryan Dawson
Hey, are you trying to flirt with Mei-Hua or something?!
Hunter Atkinson
*Ignores Bryan and continues to look at Mei-Hua*
Pan Mei-Hua
I'm sorry, mister...?
Hunter Atkinson
Hunter Atkinson.
Pan Mei-Hua
Well, Mr. Atkinson.
Pan Mei-Hua
You seem not to like this hotel at all, do you?
Hunter Atkinson
You've noticed that already?
Pan Mei-Hua
Your way of speaking gave you away.
Hunter Atkinson
I don't like this so called "hotel".
Hunter Atkinson
I think it's a fraud.
Hunter Atkinson
The owners are amateurs and don't know the importance of having emergency exits.
Hunter Atkinson
Escape ladders in each room which we must install ourselves?
Hunter Atkinson
That's the only security we have in case of a fire!
Hunter Atkinson
Only three meals a day?
Hunter Atkinson
No opportunity to buy snacks?
Hunter Atkinson
Yes, I heard the conversation between Miss Mårtensson and Mrs. Harris regarding snacks.
Hunter Atkinson
I'm not impressed so far!
Luca Costa
Says the traitor who is used to live a rich life and orders everyone around!
Luca Costa has entered the canteen, and looks menacingly at Hunter Atkinson.
Hunter Atkinson
Leave me be, mister.
Hunter Atkinson
Like I said before: You've mistaken me for someone else.
Luca Costa
Nice try, Atkinson.
Luca Costa
You don't think that I, your former manager, know you?!
Luca Costa
If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be this famous star today!
Luca Costa
You owe me, Atkinson.
Luca Costa
You owe me plenty!
Mr. Harris has entered the canteen and looks furious.
Gregory Harris
One of my employees told me that you've had a quarrel with one of our guests earlier today.
Gregory Harris
I'd never have thought that you would like to quarrel with the same person again!
Gregory Harris
Normally I'd let it be since it's not my business.
Gregory Harris
But I think you've crossed the line here, Mr. Costa.
Gregory Harris
If this grudge of yours endangers one of my guests, then I'll have to ask you leave the hotel.
Luca Costa
*Looks furiously at Mr. Harris, but calms down quickly*
Luca Costa
I'll calm down now.
Luca Costa
But don't think you're getting away from this, "Mister" Atkinson!
Luca Costa walks quickly out of the canteen, and hits Ronni Mogensen who is on his way in.
Luca Costa
Watch where you're going, kiddo!
Hunter Atkinson begins to leave the canteen as well.
Hunter stops, but doesn't turn around.
Pan Mei-Hua
You asked me for my personal opinion of this hotel.
Pan Mei-Hua
I understand if you think that you're only offered basic services, and you expected more.
Pan Mei-Hua
But the fact that every room has an escape ladder, and that Mr. Harris defended you against the other gentleman...
Pan Mei-Hua
I think that's more than enough for me.
Hunter doesn't reply and begins walking away.
Mr. Harris looks at Mei-Hua with bright eyes.
Mei-Hua can see that Mr. Harris is holding back his tears.
Gregory Harris
Young miss.
Gregory Harris
Thank you for your kind words.
Gregory Harris
I know that Repose Hotel...
Pan Mei-Hua
..."Is quite new".
Pan Mei-Hua
You've said that to Miss Mårtensson.
Pan Mei-Hua
We understand.
Pan Mei-Hua
I know that you and Mrs. Harris are doing your best.
Pan Mei-Hua
I look forward to see what this place has to offer.
Gregory Harris
Miss Pan, if you wish for anything, I'm sure we can help you somehow.
A man, somewhere in his early forties, enters the canteen.
Gregory Harris
Ah! Good timing!
Gregory Harris
Miss Pan, Mr. Kenley has come to lead you to your room.
Isaac Kenley
Allow me to help you with your luggage, miss.
Pan Mei-Hua
Thank you, Mr. Kenley.
Bryan Dawson
What about mine?!
Pan Mei-Hua
Oh come on, Bryan.
Pan Mei-Hua
I'm sure you're strong enough to carry your luggage up the stairs by yourself?
Mr. Harris and Ronni Mogensen are the only ones left in the canteen.
Ronni Mogensen
I don't know what happened just now, but that lady seems nice.
Gregory Harris
I couldn't have put it better myself.
Gregory Harris
So, Mr. Mogensen.
Gregory Harris
You wanted to speak with me?
Ronni Mogensen
What are we going to have for lunch?
Gregory Harris
Meatballs with cream sauce, lingonberry jam, green peas and boiled potatoes...
Ronni Mogensen
Svenske kødboller! Hvad lækkert! (= Swedish meatballs! How delicious!)
Mr. Harris couldn't understand what Ronni said in Danish, but can guess based on his expression that he's looking forward to the meal.
Gregory Harris
Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Gregory Harris
See you then!
Mr. Harris gives Ronni a smile and leaves the canteen.
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