“I’ll have to thank her. Does anyone else know?” Penny grins, because for all James’s wonderful qualities, keeping a secret is not near the top of his list. He has spilled the beans on a number of occasions, both for minor events and major ones.
“A few people.”
“A few people like my family?”
“Maybe.”
“A few people like all of our friends?”
“Only most of our friends. You’re not mad, are you?”
“No, honey. Are they all waiting for me to call?”
“Not tonight. I sort of jumped the gun.”
“I’m glad you did. Although, if you want to pretend and do it again when we finally get to Banff, I would be okay with that.”
“No, I can’t wait to get up there and introduce you as my fiancé!”
“Still, I’m going to call my parents and wish them a merry Christmas and we can tell them together.”
James looks over at the radiant young woman in front of him and says, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
December 31, 10:43 P.M.
“Are you sure we have to go downstairs?” Ethan asks the young woman.
“Are you sure we’re allowed to be here?” his date counters.
“I’m the new General Manager – I’m allowed to do whatever I want.”
“New title aside, shouldn’t you be working? Isn’t this one of the busiest nights of the year?”
“I could ask the same of you – haven’t you recently got a lot of press, Miss DJ Golightly? Aren’t you booked?”
Jennifer lifts an eyebrow and answers, “Too bad I absolutely adore hanging out with my boyfriend.”
“And as wonderful as your boyfriend is, fortunately, I’m technically only ‘on call’ this evening,” and with that he wraps an arm around her, pulling her close.
Jennifer allows herself to remain in Ethan’s embrace, but after a moment, asks, “Did you mean to choose this room?”
With a sigh, Ethan releases her and says, “Yes and no. We’re running close to full capacity tonight, so it was between this and another room. I thought about it and I think it’s time to think of this suite and all the new memories it’s capable of. We’ve had plenty of guests stay here since May and they never knew.” Ethan walks over to the bucket of ice where the Veuve Clicquot is chilling and pops the cork. After pouring the bubbly liquid into two glasses, he brings her a flute and says, “Here’s to a new year and new possibilities.”
They both drink deeply and Jennifer walks through the room. She comments, “You would never know, would you?”
“No – it’s like this room has a reset. In fact, it’s not all bad. Yes, someone died here, but it’s also where I started falling in love with you.”
“You did?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“You won’t believe me.”
“Try me.”
“It was when everything was going on with Brendan…”
“But that was well before we started dating.”
“It was.”
“And?”
“You had to already know that I had a crush on you then. But when we spoke to you, you were so polished and calm.”
“I did a good job of covering the fact that I was freaking out.” Jennifer takes another sip and asks, “Ethan?”
“Yes?”
“About resetting. Do you… Have you…?” Her words come out stilted.
“Have I what?”
“What I used to do in here, in the Winchester…”
Although they’ve been dating since May, they’ve never specifically spoken about what she used to do. Ethan hasn’t asked, but he does know what the requests were, how often she would visit, the age and genders of her ‘dates.’ Setting his glass of champagne down, he leans against the sofa and takes her smaller hands in his own, “Look, I don’t know where things are going to go with us, but all that was in the past. Anyway, how about how I used to treat you?”
“You weren’t that bad.”
“Wasn’t I?”
“Okay, you were kind of a dick.”
“I liked you.”
“You certainly had a weird way of showing it.”
Ethan gathers her close, cuddling her smaller frame against his own, pulling her flush against himself. She feels right.
“Ethan?”
“Yes?”
“That night – when you first approached me, what made you think I wouldn’t be insulted by your suggestion?”
Ethan sighs, but keeps his arms around his girlfriend. He has been dreading this question. Unsure what to say, he replies, “You have every right to ask.”
“And you should answer.”
“I’m not sure there’s a way to answer without sounding like an asshole.”
“I don’t know. Just be honest.”
“Why now?”
“Let’s just say I want to start this year from a place where we’re not hiding anything.”
“Fine – that night, I had nothing to lose and I thought you might be in the same situation. I’d been looking for someone.”
“Were there others?”
He steps away from her and crossing his arms across, says, “We’d tried various escort services, but the whole arrangement was a bit unreliable.”
“So you thought outside the box?”
“I guess you could call it that.” He sips the champagne and asks, “What made you say yes and not slap my face and storm out? I was fully prepared for that reaction.”
“I really couldn’t tell you.”
“I wasn’t taking advantage of you, was I?”
“Not entirely. After all, I certainly wouldn’t sell my body if I didn’t want to. Nor would I continue to do it if it wasn’t right.”
“Why did you come that first time?”
“I didn’t have a lot of options. Rent was due. You know how things were back home, I didn’t want to return to that.”
He’s amazed by her strength and resilience. Screw what other people might think or say, it’s something he’s come to respect. Not wanting to dwell on where she’s come from, he asks, “So, if I hadn’t called at the end of the month, you might not have shown?”
“I don’t know, maybe. Why is this important now?”
“It’s not.”
“Are you really past…what I did?”
“I am.”
“Then let’s toast to it.”
“To what, a new start and a new year?”
“Something like that.”
Ethan says, “How about something more?”
“What do you mean?”
“I love you.”
Jennifer is shocked by his admission and is surprised to find tears in her eyes. After all she’s been through, she doesn’t doubt his sincerity. She answers, “I love you too and I’m not trying to get of ourselves, but what are we going to tell the kids one day?”
“Once upon time, there was a magical kingdom called the Winchester…”
Fin.
April 14, 2013
Doha, Qatar
CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
Acknowledgements
A book certainly doesn’t get finished by itself. To Melanie, Rakesh and the team at Bubble Cow – thank you so much for your input, insight and comments, Room 702 wouldn’t be the same without you.
To Hubs, and your patience with me and this crazy little hobby I can’t live without.
And also to the W Doha, where this book was conceived.
I hope you enjoyed reading!
I’d love to hear from you. Which chapter resonated the most for you? Please find me at annbenjamin.com or on Twitter @ABenjaminAuthor.
And for those who wish to…
The initial chapter was originally much longer. I went into far greater detail about each element of the room. I think my editors encouraged me
in the right direction to get to the story. However, for those who want to read on, here is the original (unedited) prologue:
Located at one of the furthest spots from the lifts, the junior suite is tucked away in a corner at the end of the corridor. Measuring 650 square feet, the three room space is one of the largest in the city, and a place to feel completely at ease. Walking through the hall, you pass various black and white photographs similar to the old Hollywood photos hanging in the lobby. The carpet is plush, the lighting is soft and from the outside, you are pleasantly greeted by a dark mahogany door, with a beautiful lattice inlay – the numbers 702 are emblazoned in a antique font. Depending on the time of day, a felt bag will hang from the door with a copy of USA Today (America’s favorite high school newspaper), the Los Angeles Times, and other selections as and when you prefer them. The staff can obtain anything from the Financial Times to periodicals from Japan. On the opposite side of the door are plastic hangers that read, ‘Yes, please,’ and ‘No, thank you.’ In case you are unaware as to which means what, the ‘yes’ hanger is emblazoned with a black and white image of a French maid in vintage pinup. The ‘no’ is complete with a picture of the same maid, with a finger to her lips signifying quiet.
Stepping through the threshold, Room 702, a junior suite, is as classy and elegant as it appears in the pictures from the Winchester website (or reviews online at TripAdvisor and Oyster.com). Now opening the door, the guest enters directly into a small vestibule, lit by a low hanging white paper Chinese lantern. The well trained bell staff shows you how to place your logoed plastic key in the slot immediately at the right hand interior of the door to activate the lights and air conditioning. Should you want to look out into the hotel corridor, the peephole is of a new variety, such that you see a small LCD color screen. While the hotel staff member places your belongings in the lounge area of the suite, you decide to explore the space.
From the entrance, three paces ahead on the right is a Shoji screen inspired door which leads into an expansive bathroom, suitably luxurious for the price of a junior suite. The bathroom boasts a separate tub and shower, the latter containing an intricate rain head shower system. Two pedestal sinks line the left wall, a small flat screen television (perfect for watching the news while getting ready in the morning) swivels next to the left sink, while a lighted two sided mirror (one magnified, the other normal) juts out near the right sink. Two black framed mirrors tilted slightly hang above each sink.
Across from the sink basins is the large tub. Placed carefully on the tub is a luxurious bath mat. The tub is a beautiful porcelain, with a detachable water spout.
Along the back wall (and forming a right angle with the space where the right sink occupies), you will find a toilet with separate bidet (the small room, which, for privacy reasons, can be closed off from the rest of the space by the use of a pocket door). The separate, but attached room has a telephone, such that should you prefer to make calls from the toilet, you can feel free to do so. Additionally, having spared no expense, the toilets are a state of the art Asian variety and offer a bit of whimsy to the domestic traveller, not exposed to all the options and variety these special devices come with. Catering to any whim and saving you a call to the front desk, three additional toilet paper rolls occupy a small shelf.
Amused, you walk out of the small room and turn to see the shower. Unlike anything you have at home, you see it is made up of a unique black slate. To suppress enclosed feelings, bright LED lights have been installed so that the space does not become claustrophobic. Additionally, there are many nice features, including a detachable shower head, steam option and rain head.
With the exception of the smooth river rocks that line the base of the shower, the floor throughout the bathroom is a pale Travertine marble, the fixtures are Kohl and the toilet paper is a comfortable three ply (folded into suitably appropriate triangles). Mascioni robes hang in perfect unison on the back of the door from built in hangers, and the towels (two sets with hand towels, and an additional set near the tub) are no less than 300 count Egyptian cotton. A well crafted but fake plastic orchid sits on the ledge of the bathtub (large enough for two adults, comfortably). Next to the orchid sits a box of square tissues, covered in a sleek silver box so as not to reveal a cardboard packaging.
On one of the three inlaid shelves set into the small stucco walls near the sinks, lit from above with seamlessly incorporated lighting, toiletries are provided by Bvgalri. Tucked into fancy glass holders, guests will also find a small pack of cotton swabs, as well as cotton balls. On the shelf below the toiletries is a small sign reminding guests to ‘be green’ and instructions of how the towels will be cleaned (only if on the floor). The bottom shelf holds two small glasses.
A Braun hairdryer does not stay mounted to wall as to interrupt the clean edges of the space above the sinks. The hairdryer remains in a cloth bag, placed carefully under the right sink with extra towels. Tucked into this space on the left, so as not to clutter the floor of the bathroom, is a dark wooden trash can, lined not in plastic, but with dark cloth.
Acoustically, the room can either be joined to one of the local radio stations, the mp3 player outside near the bed, or the television. The speakers are built in and ensure if you are watching or listening to something you don’t lose contact.
Having completed your tour of the bathroom, and sliding back the Shojo door, you look across at the oversized built in closet. When closed, large mirrored doors rise floor to ceiling make the entire space look larger. Easily gliding one of the doors open, the interior reveals a state of the art safe and a series of wooden hangers. Fluorescent lights immediately activate to illuminate the interior of the closet. Tucked into a large felt lined rectangular tray, wrapped fluffy slippers sit at the bottom, awaiting use from guests. Additionally, in a nod to the quirky landscape that makes up the hotel industry, for guests staying in suites, a complimentary set of limited edition Havianas flip flops sit next to the slippers. The tray also holds a neatly folded laundry bag (with rates) and shoe polish kit.
Closing the closet door and continuing to walk down the short corridor, you reach the lounge area. Given this is Los Angeles, a year round desert environment, the Travertine floor from the bathroom extends into the rest of the space.
Immediately to your left along the wall at 90 degree angle created by the edge of the closet is the thermostat and dimmer switches for the lights. Taking up a large part of this wall is a large framed vintage poster. Adding to the ‘Hollywood chic’ ambiance of the entire hotel, a Japanese movie poster for the James Bond film, ‘You Only Live Twice’ hangs, with a stylized Sean Connery looking to the left.
Fully stepping into the lounge, you will note the color scheme as a series of silver and blue, suitably cool and crisp and clean. You will be impressed to see large windows, shaded in sheer beige floor to ceiling curtains, of which the designer has cleverly hidden the track the fabrics are connected to under a faux ceiling moulding, creating a seamless line with the ceiling, which, as no detail has gone unnoticed, is finished in a clean, rounded stucco.
On the far left wall of the lounge is a large repurposed armoire, which can be closed to hide the television (a 50 inch HD Samsung). This piece of furniture matches the dark wood of the closet and also of all the doorways in the room. The drawers are mostly for decoration, although guests have been known to accidently leave items inside. To each side of the armoire sits potted Kentia palms, kept lush by the same company that provides the flowers in the lobby. The pots are inconspicuous but of nice quality.
With your back to the television, to the immediate left sits the desk, a distinctive piece which looks like something directly out of the West Elm catalogue. Seamlessly built into the back of the desk is a piece which can be flipped down when not in use. When needed, the part pops open, revealing a number of different plugs equipped to provide secure places to plug in chargers, convenient for any traveller. Covering a large portion of the main surface is a large leather writing pad. A sim
ple lamp sits on the top right corner, providing soft 60 watt lighting when needed. Near the lamp is a very modern Avaya telephone (complete with numerous capabilities, including conference calls and voicemail). Inside the desk is a set of letter headed papers, as well as an envelope with the Winchester name on it. A strangely uncomfortable wheeled chair provides a place to work from while sitting at the desk. Upon opening their laptop, you will be pleased to note there is free wi-fi throughout the room. While the Winchester does neatly extort guests who choose to park at the hotel or use the valet services, they do keep wireless internet free to guests. Finally, in the desk and throughout the entire hotel, the designers have utlilized ‘no slam’ technology, such that there are never any loud noises, bangs, or smashed fingers between an drawers or cupboards. While sitting at the desk, there is a good view of the television. Although, if too distracting, the doors of the large armoire can hide the device from view. Additionally, while seated, behind you is the sliding glass door which leads onto a balcony. The arrangement is such that the interior designer felt it would be nice for the person at the desk to work with natural light filtering in. As the majority of the hotel room faces west, beautiful hues seep into the room every afternoon.
Underneath the desk, defining the area as a separate space from the rest of the lounge is a luxurious oval rug, patterned in a swirling set of blue fleur-de-lis on a cream background. Tucked carefully near the chair is an appropriately stylish black wire wastebasket.
Moving out from behind the desk, directly across from the television sits a chicly designed coffee table. The glass surface, which is laid out in a rather random geometrical pattern, reveals the following periodicals (replaced monthly, weekly, or as necessary) stacked inside: Los Angeles Magazine, Los Angeles Confidential, and LA Weekly. Small brochures can be found on a variety of tourist options including Disneyland, Universal CityWalk, and Hollywood and Highland. A call to the concierge can yield tickets to these locations, restaurant reservations or, for seasonal options, a box seat at the Hollywood Bowl or tickets to the grand Disney concert hall to witness the Los Angeles Philharmonic. On the surface of the coffee table, next to the remote control for the television, resting neatly on top is an informational book about the Winchester, including in room dining selections and available spa treatments. Should you care to relieve the room of any of its objects, this book also contains the rate for certain items, including, but not limited to: coffee maker ($80.00), sheets ($120.00), and robes ($75.00 each). The coffee table sit upon a similar rug to its companion under the desk.
Room 702 Page 36
