Greetings gentle readers! Welcome to part two. If you haven’t read the first chapter, halt and go back here. Part two was interesting to write…I’m fleshing things out here so if the pace seems a bit strange, don’t worry. It will gradually pick up as I wind all of the threads together. Enjoy!
TWO
Peabody tried to stop her, but Amelia needed to get some fresh air. She walked out of the room and towards the front lobby, where Smithy, one of the bellhops nodded at her as she walked by. Smithy was a quiet man, one who had been at the hotel for some time. Because he didn’t talk too much, she didn’t know a terrible amount about him–and that seemed to suit the both of them just fine.
Looking at her watch, it was half past one. She desperately needed a cigarette but had been trying to quit. Gazing around the outside, she made a sharp left into the garden, where no one usually was at this time of day. The hedges were high, high enough to conceal someone who didn’t want to be found, which is precisely where Amelia wanted to be at this very moment. In the middle of the ring was a fountain that gurgled gently. There was a statue of Apollo sitting on top of it, gazing upwards. She wasn’t really sure why Callaway had this fountain–probably some investor friend told him it was classy.
There was a brick next to the fountain that Amelia now lifted up. She picked up a small metal box that was buried in the ground and cracked it open. In a waterproof bag were several cigarettes and a lighter.
It had been a hell of a day so far.
Lighting one, she let the nicotine rush fill her senses. It was already starting to calm her down. Pulling out her cell phone, she saw several messages that she swiped away, annoyed. It was all spam advertising these days and she didn’t have the patience for it.
Just like she didn’t have the patience for Peabody, who against all odds, had found her.
“I’m really quite sorry to disturb you, but there’s something urgent I must discuss.”
“Listen–you can do whatever you want with your safe, I don’t really care,” Amelia said. “The less I have to deal with all of this, the better.”
“Unfortunately, you must participate as well. There is no staff that is allowed to possess their phone this evening.”
“You’re ridiculous to think that I or any of my staff would just give you my phone–”
“The owner assured us that this would not be a problem. Mr. Hyde does not want anyone tweeting or posting about tonight’s show. In fact, we are paying you triple your normal salary for the evening for the inconvenience. All of the staff is being paid triple, in fact.”
Amelia went slack-jawed. “Triple, you say?”
“Would you prefer quadruple pay? I am authorized to go…quite far.”
The gears were turning in Amelia’s head quickly. Quadruple pay would pay for that holiday she had been wanting to take for some time.
Giving her best fake customer service smile, she said “Let me round up the rest of the staff for you.”
~
The rest of the staff were livid too, but she was smoothing it all over. Oddly enough, the chefs were the ones who were the most put out. “What on earth do you need your phones for?”
The head chef, Monty, shook his head. “It’s the football match tonight, Amelia! We’re tied right now!”
“Yes, well…triple pay is nothing to scoff at.”
Monty just sighed and went back to chopping carrots.
“It’s gonna be your head if I miss Arsenal…” he muttered.
Amelia rolled her eyes and held out a bag.
“Come on,” she said, shaking it. “Everyone throw yours in.”
With grumbling and much shuffling, all of them threw their phone in, including Amelia, who was last. Turning to Peabody, she handed him the bag. “Satified?” she said.
“Yes, thank you,” he said, smiling wanly. “I appreciate all of you helping me out.”
~
The night was slowly starting to roll in, and Amelia had a hard time with the phantom sensation of her phone vibrating in her pocket. It was something that she relied on to fill the gaps and boredom that she endured during her shift. The hotel was quiet for the moment; according to Peabody, it wouldn’t be getting busy until much later as the guests were arriving from all over the country.
Carraway stopped by in her office, putting on his jacket. “I am sorry I saddled you with all of this–”
“Should’ve led with that I was getting quadruple pay,” she said, smiling. “That might have helped smooth things over.”
Carraway looked sheepish as he shrugged. “I knew you would be upset either way. I’m being a right bastard by leaving you for Majorca.”
“I’m sure Nick and you will enjoy the sun,” she said. “Now go on and get, before I change my mind about staying here tonight.”
Carraway smiled and began to walk out the door as Amelia turned back to her computer, playing solitaire.
“Let me know how the show goes. I’ve heard it will be very good,” he called as he walked out.
The microwave behind her beeped and she took out her microwave pizza. Cracking open her fizzy drink, she took a deep swig and nearly choked as she noticed someone standing in the doorway.
He was a pale man, with greasy black hair slicked back in fine parts, with deep cheekbones. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” he murmured quietly.
“Jesus, learn to fucking knock next time.” she sputtered, wiping the soda off her pants. “Also, who are you?”
“I’m one of the actors in the play tonight. Rian. Rian Connorway.”
“Oh.” said Amelia, suddenly intrigued. Perhaps he was famous. “Have I seen you in anything before?”
He smiled faintly. “Not unless you watch Swedish Crime procedurals.” So, not famous.
“Nope. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Actually, I was just doing a walk-through of the place. Trying to get my bearings for the weekend. Anything fun to do while I’m here?” said Rian.
Amelia wrinkled her nose. “Not unless you like pools. But it’s a bit chilly out there for that.”
Rian lit up. “Actually, I love swimming in pools in the cold. Brisk and refreshing!”
Amelia stared. “Right, I guess if you want to catch hypothermia…be my guest,” she said, reaching for a radio.
“Smithy, is the pool ready?” she said into the microphone.
There was a slight whirl of static before he responded. “Uhh…sure? It’s bloody freezing out though.”
She shrugged at Rian. “I guess you’re good to go. I probably should make you sign a waiver or something…”
Rian smiled again. “Not necessary. I’m pretty broke, so doubt I could afford a solicitor. Thank you again.” he said, and waved at her as he walked away. She watched him walk away and shook her head.
“Fucking weirdo.” She bit into her pizza and immediately regretted it–it was still too hot. Looking at the clock, she reached out for her radio again.
“All hands, prepare for guests’ arrival. Roll out the red carpet.”
Someone on the radio retorted with a witty remark, but she couldn’t make out who it was. Her leg vibrated again and she swatted at it.
Tonight was going to be pretty rough–she just had no idea. Especially since she wasn’t paying attention to the security cameras, and was failing to notice that one by one, each one was being blacked out–
Almost as if someone was disconnecting them…
Till next time….
