Late Night, But All Right

I was working night audit at a moderately priced motel near the intersection of two major highways. The property was outdated, inexpensive, and clean, and my boss trusted me to do my job. It was very chill.

In the wee hours of one of my shifts, a thirty-ish woman who appeared to be traveling for business pulled off the interstate to grab some shut-eye. I (forty-ish woman then) worked with a night window and used my judgment on whether anyone was allowed in the lobby. A solo young woman who was doing the subtle peepee dance got the door unlocked.

Me: *After seeing her ID.* “Hey, I have everything I need, there’s the restroom if you need to freshen up while I finish your reservation.”

After she and I finished with our respective business, she signed the registration card.

Me: “Here’s your key. Your room is right in front of where you’re already parked, so you don’t have to move, and I can see your door from here in the office.”

This is back in the days when cameras were less common.

Me: “Breakfast is from 6:30 AM until 9 AM. Do you need a wakeup call?”

As I unlocked the lobby door so that the guest could exit, she said THOSE WORDS.

Customer: “I need to speak to your manager.”

Me: “I’m the manager on duty, but the owner will be in around 8 AM if you need to speak to her.”

Customer: “I’m gonna. You are way too pleasant and helpful at this hour and price. You need a raise!”

She had me going in the first half… not gonna lie.