The Guest Who Disappeared Into The Night
A rejected request
CHAPTER 4 - A REJECTED REQUEST
Hotel corridor, first floor, 15 July, 11:08 a.m.
Isaac Kenley
This way, mister and miss.
The hotel employee shows Bryan and Mei-Hua the corridor after going up the stairs.
Mei-Hua can see that the corridor is quite simple.
The walls don't have many paintings, and the only ones in existence are made by unknown artists.
There are some large vases with plants and some furniture that have been put together.
Some of the guests are standing outside their rooms, talking with each other.
Isaac Kenley seems to understand what Mei-Hua is thinking.
Isaac Kenley
It's quite simple, isn't it?
Pan Mei-Hua
I'm not surprised.
Isaac Kenley
Everything is new, so I hope that you don't mind the simplicity.
Pan Mei-Hua
I think that's expected from a new business.
Isaac Kenley
Thank you for the understanding, miss.
Bryan Dawson
*Mutters quietly*
Bryan Dawson
(As if my opinion doesn't count...)
Pan Mei-Hua
So, Mr. Kenley.
Pan Mei-Hua
I understand that you and the older lady are the only employees here?
Isaac Kenley
We both come from the small village 4 kilometres from here.
Bryan Dawson
The village with only a shop that sells home-made products?
Isaac Kenley
Most of us are happy that Mr. and Mrs. Harris decided to start a business here.
Isaac Kenley
In our small village, everyone knows each other.
Isaac Kenley
Some villagers want it to stay that way and are neither interested in getting new members for the village nor getting visits from "the big city."
Isaac Kenley
But those narrow-minded people are thankfully a minority.
Isaac Kenley
Like I said before, most of us are happy that the Harrises started their hotel business here.
Isaac Kenley
Our village can't be isolated forever, and not everyone likes the calm and - if I may say so - boring life there.
Isaac Kenley
I'm thankful that Mr. Harris employed me.
Isaac Kenley
Any chance of earning more money is appreciated...
Mei-Hua can see that Mr. Kenley suddenly becomes a bit sad after he finished speaking.
Bryan Dawson
How come the rooms are numbered from 101 to 109?
Bryan Dawson
I don't think this hotel is so big that it can have more than a hundred rooms?
Isaac Kenley
*Gives a small laugh*
Isaac Kenley
Well, my boy...
Isaac Kenley
That's because there are more than nine rooms on this floor.
Isaac Kenley
The numbering system was Mr. Harris's idea.
Isaac Kenley
You see, the first number is the floor number.
Isaac Kenley
The floor number is needed because this house has two floors, excluding the attic.
Isaac Kenley
The two last numbers are the room numbers.
Isaac Kenley
There are 15 rooms on this floor.
Isaac Kenley
But only eight of them are rented out at the moment.
Isaac Kenley
Hopefully, if Mr. Harris gets many good reviews, he'll be able to get more guests and then...
Mei-Hua can notice that even Mr. Kenley is worried about the hotel business.
Pan Mei-Hua
Do you think Mr. Harris will hire more people if things go well?
Isaac Kenley
I sure hope so!
Isaac Kenley
There are a couple of people at the village who want to help out at the hotel for free.
Isaac Kenley
But Mr. Harris felt it wouldn't be fair to them if they don't get paid.
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Harris sounds like a good employer.
Isaac Kenley
Your room is over there.
As they're coming closer to room 109, the guests who are in the corridor look up and greet the private investigator and her assistant.
Hiromi Arakawa
Konnichiwa! (= Hello!)
Stanley Daniels
Oh! Hey Mei-Hua and Bryan!
Stanley Daniels
*Gives a big smile and waves*
Mei-Hua and Bryan greet back and continue walking towards room 109 together with Mr. Kenley.
Mei-Hua can't help but think back on the tense situation with Luca Costa and Hunter Atkinson earlier in the canteen.
How come they couldn't solve it privately?
Are they already back in their rooms or are they taking the fight elsewhere?
Isaac Kenley
So. Here we are.
Pan Mei-Hua
*Opens the door to room 109 with the room key*
Pan Mei-Hua
*Gives the room a quick glance*
It has two beds, each with its own white bedsheet and towel; two small cupboards with one lamp each, and a desk at the window which faces the main yard.
But compared with room 104, the main road can't be seen from room 109.
Bryan Dawson
Well, Mei-Hua, if you say so.
Pan Mei-Hua
*Gives Bryan an elbow*
Isaac Kenley
There's a fire escape ladder under your bed, Miss Pan.
Isaac Kenley
If there's nothing else, I'll go back to my other duties.
Isaac Kenley
*Nods at the guests, turns around, leaves the room and closes the door behind him*
Bryan Dawson
Come on, Mei-Hua...
Bryan Dawson
Did you really have to---?
Pan Mei-Hua
*Interrupts Bryan*
Pan Mei-Hua
Couldn't you see that even Mr. Kenley was worried that we wouldn't like the hotel?
Pan Mei-Hua
The least we could do is to give him less things to worry about!
Bryan Dawson
You're always thinking about other people's feelings.
Bryan Dawson
But sometimes, you have to think of yourself too.
Suddenly someone knocks at the door.
Pan Mei-Hua
Please come in.
Pan Mei-Hua
The door isn't locked.
The door opens, and Mei-Hua comes face to face with Hunter Atkinson.
Hunter steps into the room and looks anxiously around the corridor before closing the door behind him.
Hunter Atkinson
I understand that you're a private investigator?
Hunter Atkinson
*Interrupts Mei-Hua*
Hunter Atkinson
Miss Pan, I'm here because I need your help.
Hunter Atkinson
I'm in danger.
Bryan Dawson
Hey, wait a minute---
Hunter Atkinson
Please hear me out.
Pan Mei-Hua
Alright. Go on.
Pan Mei-Hua
Is it because of Mr. Costa - the man who called you a traitor?
Hunter Atkinson
That man is the least of my problems.
Hunter Atkinson
But I've gained enemies during my career.
Hunter Atkinson
Competitors, who envy my success and who want to bring me down.
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Atkinson, what makes you think that we can or will help you?
Hunter Atkinson
I've been receiving threats.
Hunter Atkinson
Death threats.
Nobody says a word for a while.
Hunter Atkinson
Have you heard of the TV-show "Beyond the galaxy"?
Bryan Dawson
The Sci-Fi series based on the book?
Hunter Atkinson
Yes, that one.
Hunter Atkinson
I was supposed to guest star as an important and popular character in two episodes.
Hunter Atkinson
But... Not everyone liked that I - a singer - was going to play that particular character.
Hunter Atkinson
So there were some harsh words on the Internet in the beginning.
Hunter Atkinson
But afterwards I received those threats.
Hunter Atkinson
The situation was so bad that the director eventually decided to cast someone else for the role.
Hunter Atkinson
A pity, since it would have been my first film role.
Bryan Dawson
But on the other hand, the problem is solved then?
Pan Mei-Hua
I don't think it's that easy, Bryan...
Hunter Atkinson
Exactly, Miss Pan.
Hunter Atkinson
The threats didn't stop there.
Hunter Atkinson
That's why I decided to lie low for a while.
Hunter Atkinson
But I never would have imagined that I would be pursued out here in the middle of nowhere!
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Atkinson, I think you should have spoken to the police about this, and not me.
Hunter Atkinson
I don't trust them!
Pan Mei-Hua
You don't trust the police, but you "trust" a total stranger like me?
Hunter Atkinson
*Can't utter a sound*
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Atkinson, I'm sorry that you've been through all of this.
Pan Mei-Hua
But I think I'm the wrong person for your request.
Hunter Atkinson
*Becomes shocked*
Hunter Atkinson
You reject my pleas for help?
Hunter Atkinson
Even if I offer you money?
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Atkinson, this is a case for the police.
Pan Mei-Hua
Not a private investigator.
Pan Mei-Hua
Especially when you're in direct danger.
Pan Mei-Hua
You claim to be a successful singer.
Pan Mei-Hua
You've received death threats and now you've come out here without professional people to protect you?
Pan Mei-Hua
That's not a wise decision, Mr. Atkinson.
Hunter becomes too furious to say anything.
He turns around to leave room 109.
But before opening the door, he turns his head and looks back at Mei-Hua furiously.
Hunter Atkinson
You're the first person in my whole career who reject me.
Hunter Atkinson
Do you know who I am?
Hunter Atkinson
I have many fans - especially the ladies - willing to do anything to be close to me.
Hunter Atkinson
No one rejects Hunter Atkinson!
Hunter Atkinson
If anything happens to me at this hotel...
Hunter Atkinson
Then it's on YOU!
Hunter leaves the room and slams the door behind him.
Pan Mei-Hua
*Shakes her head and sighs*
Comments
manga lover
Its really a relief to see an interesting story after all in here
2023-01-18
1
manga lover
So far so interesting i love vulnerable the details are and how the personalities are defined just by their conversations so far
2023-01-18
1