The Guest Who Disappeared Into The Night
Gossip & bad news
CHAPTER 5 - GOSSIP & BAD NEWS
Room 109, first floor, 15 July, 11:35 a.m.
Neither Mei-Hua nor Bryan say anything since Hunter Atkinson left the room furiously.
Instead, they start unpacking their luggage.
When they've finished unpacking, someone knocks at the door.
Bryan Dawson
Who is it this time?
The door opens and Antoine Roux enters the room.
Antoine Roux
Sorry for interrupting.
Antoine Roux
But I was wondering if you would like to join us for lunch?
Pan Mei-Hua
We totally forgot the time!
Pan Mei-Hua
Thanks, Monsieur Roux!
Antoine Roux
De rien! (= Don't mention it!)
Antoine Roux
I thought you needed the time to unpack your things because of...
Antoine Roux
...That unfriendly "fellow" who left your room angrily.
Antoine Roux
Did he bother you both as well?
Pan Mei-Hua
I wouldn't say so.
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Atkinson seems to be used to getting everything served in front of him.
Pan Mei-Hua
A perk because of his "celebrity" status perhaps?
Bryan Dawson
Come on, Mei-Hua!
Bryan Dawson
If he wanted to lie low, then he's done a terrible job.
Bryan Dawson
Everything he's done is far from lying low!
Bryan Dawson
Just who does Hunter Atkinson think he is anyway?
Bryan Dawson
I haven't even heard of him before!
Pan Mei-Hua
Neither have I, but let's not think more about that.
Pan Mei-Hua
We can't let Monsieur Roux wait for us for too long.
Antoine Roux
Don't worry about me.
Antoine Roux
I'm used to all kinds of gossip, even if I understand that you two don't gossip behind people's backs.
Antoine Roux
I can tell you that Monsieur Atkinson has...
Antoine Roux
*Lowers his voice*
Antoine Roux
...Been in disagreements with a couple of guests already.
Antoine Roux
That's right.
Antoine Roux
I think you know about the quarrel between him and Monsieur Costa by now.
Antoine Roux
But Monsieur Atkinson has also yelled at the Japanese mademoiselle because he felt that she was staring at him for a long time.
Antoine Roux
Monsieur Daniels wanted to defend her, and got yelled at as well.
Antoine Roux
The only ones who have been "spared" so far are the Scandinavian guests... And myself.
Bryan Dawson
So much for "lying low".
Pan Mei-Hua
Scandinavian guests?
Antoine Roux
Oh, how silly of me!
Antoine Roux
You remember Mademoiselle Mårtensson from Sweden?
Antoine Roux
There's a Dane staying at the hotel as well.
Antoine Roux
A young male called Ronni Mogensen.
Bryan Dawson
I think I remember him.
Bryan Dawson
It's the guy who bumped into Mr. Costa when he was leaving the canteen.
Pan Mei-Hua
You're quick to make acquaintances with everyone, Monsieur Roux.
Antoine Roux
When you become as old as me, you want to have company.
Antoine Roux
Alors, on y va? (= So, shall we go?)
The three guests leave room 109 and walk down the corridor.
By the time they reach the stairs, Mei-Hua can hear a conversation in foreign languages coming from room 102.
Having been to the Scandinavian countries in the past, Mei-Hua can easily distinguish the two languages spoken by Ronni Mogensen (Danish) and Susanna Mårtensson (Swedish).
Susanna Mårtensson
Jag vill inte prata mer om det här! (= I don't want to talk more about this!)
Ronni Mogensen
Men kan du i det mindste genoverveje det? (= But can you at least reconsider it?)
Ronni Mogensen
Jeg vil ikke at du gør det! (= I don't want you to do it!)
Susanna Mårtensson
Varför kom du ens hit mitt i ingenstans? (= Why did you even come here in the middle of nowhere?)
Susanna Mårtensson
Varför kan du inte bara lämna mig ifred?! (= Why can't you just leave me alone?!)
Ronni Mogensen
Fordi jeg elsker dig, skat! (= Because I love you, babe!)
Mei-Hua shakes her head and walks down the stairs together with Bryan and Antoine Roux.
================================
Mr. Harris's office, ground floor, 15 July, 11:48 a.m.
Shannon Harris
Gregory, dear.
Shannon Harris
Aren't you going to have lunch with the guests?
Gregory Harris
Shannon, we're going to have a problem.
Gregory Harris
I've listened to the weather forecast.
Gregory Harris
There's a storm coming at tomorrow noon.
Gregory Harris
A very strong storm, I might add.
Gregory Harris
It could spell trouble for our business!
Shannon Harris
Gregory, I know you're being nervous...
Gregory Harris
Shannon please... Stop interrupting me!
Gregory Harris
This isn't just a "common" storm.
Gregory Harris
This storm has caused damage to several cities and their infrastructure.
Gregory Harris
What do you think would happen when "It" comes here?
Gregory Harris
We're in the middle of nowhere with more or less flat ground and trees.
Gregory Harris
That means the transport between the city, the village and the hotel will be more difficult and dangerous!
Shannon Harris
How long will the storm be here?
Gregory Harris
I don't know...!
Gregory Harris
For several days at best...
Shannon Harris
Several days!
Gregory Harris
I'm already worried about the food delivery.
Shannon Harris
Calm down...!
Shannon Harris
I know that the majority of the guests are only staying here for 2-4 nights.
Shannon Harris
Only Mei-Hua Pan and Bryan Dawson are going to stay here for a week.
Shannon Harris
I've made sure that we have enough food for all of them during their stay.
Gregory Harris
Yes, but what if they have to stay here for a longer period of time because of that storm?
Shannon Harris
Just charge them money for the extra days!
Shannon Harris
I'm sure they would understand that accommodation and food aren't free.
Gregory Harris
Yes, yes, yes.
Gregory Harris
But I was talking about the food delivery!
Gregory Harris
And what about Mrs. Morris and Mr. Kenley?
Gregory Harris
They can't unpack everything by themselves!
Shannon Harris
I think you'll have to accept the offer from some of the villagers.
Gregory Harris
You mean let them work at the hotel for free?
Gregory Harris
It's preposterous!
Gregory Harris
Who would want to work without being paid!
Shannon Harris
But Gregory, please hear me out.
Shannon Harris
Mr. Kenley did tell us that many of the villagers are happy that we started a business here, didn't he?
Shannon Harris
That's why some of them agreed to work here for free, just to help us in the beginning.
Shannon Harris
Our business's success is as important to them as it is to us.
Shannon Harris
Of course, I won't let them work hard for nothing.
Gregory Harris
What do you mean, love?
Mrs. Harris thinks for a while.
Shannon Harris
I'm actually thinking of letting all of our employees, including the extra manpower, live at the hotel at no cost.
Shannon Harris
At least until the storm is over.
Gregory Harris
That's a splendid idea, love!
Shannon Harris
They don't need to pay for the food, but they have to promise not to take more than what they need.
Gregory Harris
Then we don't need to be extra worried for the safety of our employees since they don't need to walk between the hotel and their homes during the storm!
Gregory Harris
Shannon, you're a genius!
Gregory Harris
*Kisses his wife*
Gregory Harris
Shannon, we still have the problem with the amount of food.
Gregory Harris
Will it be enough for everyone during the storm?
Shannon Harris
Then you'd better start making some calls, dear!
Shannon Harris
You'll need to make lots of orders!
Mr. Harris smiles at his wife and starts dialing a number on his smartphone while Mrs. Harris leaves his office.
She is content that they together have found a way to maintain the business during the upcoming storm.
By the time Mrs. Harris reaches the reception, she takes up her smartphone and dials a number.
Shannon Harris
Mr. Kenley?
Shannon Harris
My husband and I have thought of your friends' offer.
Shannon Harris
There has been a change of plans, and we'll gladly accept all of the extra help we can get.
Shannon Harris
I want you and Mrs. Morris to come down to the reception and receive new instructions.
Shannon Harris
There's a storm coming.
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