The Guest Who Disappeared Into The Night
The volunteers
CHAPTER 13 - THE VOLUNTEERS
Outside of Mr. Harris's office, ground floor, 15 July, 3:47 p.m.
Mrs. Harris is making a phone call with her smartphone.
Shannon Harris
Mr. Kenley?
Shannon Harris
Can you please come to the office together with the volunteers?
Shannon Harris
*Turns around to look at Mei-Hua, Bryan and her husband*
Shannon Harris
That's settled!
Shannon Harris
They're on their way.
Mr. Harris is very happy. His wife "managed" to convince a detective and her assistant to stay at the hotel, and now they're going to get extra hands. Repose Hotel is saved! Or so he thinks.
Gregory Harris
*Looks at Mei-Hua*
Gregory Harris
What do you think?
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Harris, don't test me.
Pan Mei-Hua
*Looks at Mr. Harris sternly*
Pan Mei-Hua
You already know what I think of this job.
Pan Mei-Hua
But I've accepted it, so what difference would it make now?
Gregory Harris
You accepted the job in the end.
Bryan looks nervously at Mei-Hua. It was because of him that his boss finally changed her mind and chose to accept the job offer given by the Harrises. A job where they are expected to investigate the threats, monitor the hotel, run background checks on the guests, and finally, protect everyone from danger.
100 US Dollars per hour, paid by Mrs. Harris... As long as they stay at the hotel.
It's not a totally bad job, but Mei-Hua wasn't willing to do it in the beginning because she wasn't impressed with the security of the hotel. She wanted to check out and return to the civilisation, but Bryan stubbornly chose to stay, out of pity for the Harrises.
Bryan Dawson
<Did I make a bad decision?>
Bryan Dawson
<It was the right thing to do!>
Bryan looks at the hotel owner and her boss. Mr. Harris is starting to get irritated.
Gregory Harris
So what's the matter now, Miss Pan?
Gregory Harris
Isn't 100 US Dollars an hour enough?
Gregory Harris
Let me tell---
Shannon Harris
Let her be, Gregory.
Shannon Harris
Let's talk about this later, alright?
Shannon Harris
Miss Pan may have accepted our job offer, but I'm sure we must sign some contract, mustn't we, Miss Pan?
Pan Mei-Hua
Yes, you're correct.
Gregory Harris
Is that even necessary?!
Bryan Dawson
*Looks at Mr. Harris with big eyes*
Bryan Dawson
Mr. Harris, did you seriously believe that we would accept payment under the table?!
Gregory Harris
That's what my wife said!
Gregory Harris
She said she would pay you from her own pocket!
Shannon Harris
*Shakes her head*
Shannon Harris
Darling, no...
Shannon Harris
I meant that I would pay her legally with my own funds!
Suddenly, all of them hear footsteps coming from the hotel entrance. It's a group of seven people, including two teenagers, led by Isaac Kenley.
The Harrises, Mei-Hua and Bryan look at the band of people coming towards them.
Gregory Harris
*Grins widely and walks towards the group of people*
Gregory Harris
Welcome, welcome!
Gregory Harris
Ladies and gentlemen, I can't thank you enough for coming all the way here to help out!
Mr. Kenley halts and looks at the Harrises and the group of people that he has led before he starts talking.
Isaac Kenley
Mr. and Mrs. Harris, allow me to introduce the volunteers.
A man in his fifties with short grey hair steps forward.
Isaac Kenley
We have Dennis Freeman, who is one of our village's fishermen.
Dennis Freeman
It's a pleasure meeting you all.
Dennis Freeman
*Nods at everyone before stepping back*
Gregory Harris
Your fishing skills will be very appreciated!
Dennis Freeman
*Gives a small laugh*
Dennis Freeman
You flatter me, sir.
Dennis Freeman
I doubt I can provide you with fish during the upcoming storm.
Gregory Harris
It's alright, it's alright!
Bryan looks nervously at Mei-Hua again, but she doesn't look back at him.
Bryan Dawson
<My boss is really mad at me...>
Isaac Kenley
We have the Maxwell siblings.
A man in his thirties steps forward.
Fred Maxwell
My name is Fred Maxwell, and I'm a farmer.
Fred turns around and looks at his sister, who still hasn't stepped forward.
Fred Maxwell
Aren't you going to introduce yourself?
Fred's sister, who is in her early twenties, steps anxiously forward.
Patricia Maxwell
H-h-hello.
Patricia Maxwell
I'm-m-m P-patri-ci-a M-m-axwell...
Patricia Maxwell
*Speaks quietly* You can call me "Trish" for short.
Patricia Maxwell
*Speaks quietly* I'm also a farmer.
Fred Maxwell
Please forgive my younger sister.
Fred Maxwell
Although she's an adult now, she's very shy.
Isaac Kenley
We can talk about this later, Fred.
Mr. Kenley gives Fred a stern look before turning his head back at the Harrises.
Isaac Kenley
Well, anyway, these youngsters here...
The two teenagers, full of energy, come quickly forward.
David Andrews
I'm David Andrews!
Samantha Reed
And I'm Samantha Reed!
Samantha Reed
You can call me "Sam"!
David Andrews
We can do everything you tell us---
Terence Westley
Alright, alright!
Terence Westley
This isn't a chicken farm, you know!
Terence Westley
Pipe it down, Kenley!
A man in his fifties steps forward but continues to walk towards the Harrises!
Isaac Kenley
What are you...!
Mr. Kenley does his best to prevent the man from reaching his employers, but the man only shoves the servant away without problems.
Mr. Kenley falls to the floor and Bryan runs to help him up.
Bryan Dawson
*Looks angrily at the middle-aged man*
Bryan Dawson
What are you---?
Terence Westley
Quiet, junior.
Terence Westley
I'm not talking to you.
Mei-Hua immediately walks between the Harrises and the man.
Terence Westley
Move aside, Missy.
Terence Westley
Or you'll get hurt.
Dennis Freeman and Fred Maxwell immediately run to the man and grab him from behind.
Dennis grabs the man's right arm while Fred hugs him tightly at his waist.
Terence Westley
Urrghh...!
Terence Westley
Unhand me at once, you fools!
Dennis Freeman
Not if you're going to stir up trouble, Terence!
Terence Westley
I'm not gonna punch him, Dennis!
Terence Westley
I just want to talk.
Pan Mei-Hua
Your actions speak for themselves.
Pan Mei-Hua
You're being aggressive, and you've just caused Mr. Kenley to fall down.
Pan Mei-Hua
Tell us why you aren't going to punch your employer, Mister...?
The man finally stops resisting the two villagers who are still grabbing him from behind.
He eyes Mei-Hua and grins.
Terence Westley
Terence Westley.
Mr. Kenley walks towards the Harrises while massaging his back.
Fred Maxwell
Terence, you ought to apologise to Isaac.
Terence Westley
Who are you to tell me, boy?
Terence Westley
Hasn't your mother taught you to respect your elders?
Fred Maxwell
Don't you bring my moth---
Everyone, besides Terence Westley, jumps back in fear.
While Dennis and Fred did get startled, they didn't lessen their grip on Terence.
Shannon Harris
Like you said, Mr. Westley...
Shannon Harris
This isn't "a chicken farm."
Shannon Harris
Who are YOU, who caused all this ruckus?
Isaac Kenley
I'm so sorry, Madam.
Isaac Kenley
Terence Westley, who is one of our village's woodcutters, is normally not this rough.
Isaac Kenley
But he is one of the few people in the village who are against the Repose Hotel.
Mr. Harris is becoming furious.
He has stood up towards an angry guest in the morning.
He has tried for a long time to ask Mei-Hua to help with the hotel threats and even got humiliated in the process.
And now he has to put up with another person who is also against his business!
Can the day get any worse?
Gregory Harris
You wanted to speak with me?
Gregory Harris
Have I offended you in any way, Mr. Westley?
Terence Westley
*Looks at Gregory Harris in contempt*
Terence Westley
But you will!
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