The Guest Who Disappeared Into The Night
The stubborn woodcutter
CHAPTER 15 - THE STUBBORN WOODCUTTER
Outside of Mr. Harris's office, ground floor, 15 July, 4:23 p.m.
Mr. Harris is really exhausted.
He has received threats, put up with a difficult guest, dealt with customer complaints, been worrying about food availability because of the upcoming storm, and begged Pan Mei-Hua for a long time to accept his job offer of overseeing the hotel security.
Terence Westley
What is going on?!
Terence Westley
Why are you all suddenly so secretive?
The middle-aged woodcutter's protests fall on deaf ears.
Isaac Kenley
Go inside now, Terence.
Terence Westley
Don't you tell me---
Isaac Kenley
Now, Terence!
Isaac Kenley
*Looks sternly at the woodcutter*
Terence Westley
Alright, alright!
Terence walks into the office, followed by Mr. Kenley, Mei-Hua, Bryan and the Harrises.
David Andrews
What about us?
Shannon Harris
*Turns around and thinks for a while*
Shannon Harris
The office is a bit too small.
Shannon Harris
It will be too crowded if everyone gets inside.
Shannon Harris
I'll have to ask you to wait outside for a moment.
The teens groan in disapproval.
Dennis Freeman
Come now, David and Sam.
Dennis Freeman
I'm sure it's nothing grave.
Dennis Freeman
It must have been a misunderstanding.
Dennis Freeman
The earlier our employers have spoken with Terence, the quicker we'll get our assignments.
Shannon Harris
Thank you for understanding, Mr. Freeman.
Shannon Harris
*Looks at the Maxwell siblings* The same goes for you.
Fred Maxwell
No problems at all, Madam.
================================
Mr. Harris's office, ground floor, 15 July, 4:27 p.m.
Shannon Harris
*Closes the door behind her*
Terence Westley is now standing by Mr. Harris's desk, facing the Harrises, Mr. Kenley, Mei-Hua and Bryan.
Terence Westley
You got what you wanted, Missy.
Terence Westley
I'm not "in the open".
Terence Westley
Now, what's this all about?!
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. and Mrs. Harris has received threats ever since they've bought this house at the beginning of June.
Terence Westley
They probably deserved it.
The Harrises react strongly to what they've just heard.
Gregory Harris
*Too furious to say anything*
Shannon Harris
What DID you just say?!
Terence Westley
*Shakes his head*
Terence Westley
Are you city slickers deaf, or somethin'?
Terence Westley
I just said that you probably deserved those threats, considering what you're doing now.
Isaac Kenley
Come on, Terence!
Isaac Kenley
Why are you so unreasonable?
Terence Westley
I should ask YOU that question, myself!
Terence Westley
After all Mrs. Wilson has done for you, Kenley, is this how you repay her?
Bryan Dawson
But even if you dislike people, you still can't think that they deserve to receive threats!
Terence Westley
For you, perhaps.
Pan Mei-Hua
Why don't we all just calm down?
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Westley, are you aware that we have the right to report you to the police?
Terence Westley
*Widens his eyes* What for?
Isaac Kenley
*Facepalms and shakes his head*
Terence Westley
Why are you threatening me with the police?!
Bryan Dawson
Man, are you kidding me...?
Terence Westley
I can't believe this...!
Shannon Harris
Are you telling us that you have no clue why we can report you to the police, Mr. Westley?
Terence Westley
Because I haven't done anything wrong!
Everyone shakes their heads.
Terence Westley
What the...?!
Isaac Kenley
Terence, just stop---
Terence Westley
What is wrong with you all?!
Isaac Kenley
I said stop it, Terence!
Terence Westley is taken aback by Mr. Kenley's outburst.
Pan Mei-Hua
Legally speaking, Mr. Westley, you've committed several violations of the law.
The woodcutter can't believe his ears.
Terence Westley
What do YOU know about our laws?!
Isaac Kenley
Terence, don't make things worse than they already are!
Isaac Kenley
Please listen to Miss Pan.
Isaac Kenley
She knows what she's talking about.
Pan Mei-Hua
Thank you, Mr. Kenley.
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Westley, you've done three things that could end with you being reported to the police.
Terence Westley
"Could end..."?
Terence Westley
You're phrasing it as if you would refrain from doing it.
Pan Mei-Hua
It all depends on how much you cooperate.
Terence Westley
Very intriguing.
Terence Westley
I'm listening.
Pan Mei-Hua
You've done the following three violations:
Pan Mei-Hua
1) Disrupting the activities of a business, in this case, Repose Hotel
Terence Westley
Oh, come on---!
Isaac Kenley
Actually, you have done that, Terence.
Shannon Harris
Yelling in the corridor is one form of disturbance, Mr. Westley.
Pan Mei-Hua
2) Assaulting and threatening staff members of said business
Terence Westley
I didn't even attack Kenley on purpose!
Shannon Harris
But you did show aggression towards us!
Gregory Harris
I've seen a lot, but I've never seen such a childish---
Terence Westley
You shut it, old man!
Isaac Kenley
YOU'RE GOING WAY TOO FAR, NOW!
Pan Mei-Hua
I don't think I should continue giving you this chance anymore.
Pan Mei-Hua
We've all put up with your obnoxious behaviour.
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Harris, call the police.
Pan Mei-Hua
This has gotten way out of hand!
Mr. Harris looks at his wife, who nods in agreement.
Gregory Harris
*Sighs and shakes his head*
Gregory Harris
You had your chance, Mr. Westley.
Mr. Harris begins to turn around to leave his office.
Terence Westley
Just wait a minute!
Terence Westley
Kenley, are you just gonna---?
Isaac Kenley
Why should I, Terence?
Isaac Kenley
I've already helped you enough.
Isaac Kenley
I tried to tell you to stop, but you just had to be unreasonable!
Isaac Kenley
You've already brought disgrace to our village with your behaviour!
Mr. Harris listens carefully while he walks slowly towards the door.
Terence Westley seems to finally realise the graveness of the situation.
Terence Westley
Hey, wait...
Terence Westley
I said, Wait!
Terence looks at the rest of the people, who simply shake their heads...
...All but Mei-Hua, who looks sternly at him.
Bryan Dawson
Wow, so you're finally beginning to address my boss correctly now?
Terence grinds his teeth in annoyance.
Normally he would have snapped back like he did earlier, but he realises that he's now in a tough spot.
So the woodcutter simply ignores Bryan's comment.
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Harris, wait.
Terence Westley
*Takes a deep breath*
Terence Westley
Miss Pan, you've told me about two violations so far.
Terence Westley
So, what was the third one?
Pan Mei-Hua
*Looks annoyed*
Pan Mei-Hua
Are you mocking me, Mr. Westley?
Terence Westley
Do I look like---?
Terence Westley abruptly stops talking and takes a few breaths before he begins talking again.
Terence Westley
No, Miss Pan.
Terence Westley
I'm very serious.
Bryan Dawson
Are you really sure you don't know, Mr. Westley?
Terence Westley
Look, guys, I'm doing my best to calm down here.
Terence Westley
So why don't you all give me a break and tell me what my so-called third violation is?
Bryan shakes his head and looks at Mr. Kenley.
Isaac Kenley
Are you seriously telling me that you don't know that slapping women's buttocks is inappropriate?!
Everyone stares at Terence intensely.
The middle-aged man is astonished by the expression on everyone's faces.
Terence Westley
Come on...
Terence Westley
It's not a crime, is it?
Bryan Dawson
Are you really serious?!
Shannon Harris
*Shakes her head*
Shannon Harris
I really pity your parents, Mr. Westley.
Terence Westley
What's that supposed to mean!
Everyone starts to look at Mr. Harris, who is standing at the door with his right hand holding the doorknob.
Gregory Harris
*Looks at Mr. Kenley*
Gregory Harris
Mr. Kenley.
Gregory Harris
If Mr. Westley was meant to come and help us out, we're no longer interested.
Gregory Harris
Repose Hotel can't have a staff member who hasn't a clue about the modern world!
Terence Westley
Why you---!
Isaac Kenley
Terence, please don't make it worse than it is.
Isaac Kenley
Please, for the sake of Mrs. Wilson!
As if the name "Mrs. Wilson" are magic words, Terence Westley finally begins to really calm down.
Terence Westley
You're right, Isaac.
Terence Westley
I'm sorry.
Terence Westley
But I haven't actually slapped Miss Pan's butt, have I?
Bryan Dawson
That's because you never got the chance!
Bryan Dawson
But your intention counts nevertheless.
Terence Westley
You've made your point.
Terence Westley
*Looks at Mei-Hua*
Terence Westley
There's one more thing that I don't understand, Miss Pan.
Terence Westley
You told me that I'm a suspect.
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