Mystique

Slide the card and look for the green. Enter the space of limbo, haven, exile, rest.

Ideal, and of neutral scent. Sanitized for your protection. You find access to delivery- or direction toward food. The same with entertainment. Get away from getting away.

All sense the mystique to a degree. The design, amenities, color, décor. A doe could enter this room and not be too startled. If a party occurs, it is immediately profane, thus, perhaps, that much more enjoyable.

At the proper time of day, the carts roll. The workers zip about. They wear uniforms that should include medals. Perhaps too restrictive. Assigned vacants are engaged. And, in the time a couple in a room nearby scarfs a snack, or packs up to leave, or simply debates: “Whaddya wanna do today, Ferdy?” the chore is done.

The card zips. In a stride and glance, the room is classified. Mostly three types: “It ain’t my place,” “Don’t embarrass yourself,” and “Party Hearty.” Along with variations depending on capacity and age. (Some literally arrange their mess in an orderly manner, or remake the bed!) The room must literally be tamed. Trash is arrested, and linen flies out the door in a most professional manner. Cleaning solutions are employed. The type designed to stave off extinction in this highly populated world. Especially in the bathroom, where elbow-grease is applied. This obstacle is overcome and is ready for trusted use. The bed, found with a few steps, is tackled gently. Then, with an instinctual brush or tug- perfect.

The Guest Room Attendants work their simple magic, putting pillows, sheets, blankets, the ice bucket, remotes, chairs, tables, hangars, soaps, towels, everything (and the Gideon Bible) into a ‘house beautiful’ standard. All is scrubbed, dusted, swept and vacuumed with necessary grace. Then:

            The diners decide that they’ve had enough fries.

            The television in the room next door marks the bottom of the hour.

            Ferdy has won the day- they will see the lake.

The couple in 302 leaves, and they see that the cart has moved further down the hall. A display downstairs shows a king available on the third floor. A suitcase is rolled from the elevator. A card is slid and the green light flutters. The space beckons in a standard way.