Need To Go Quebec And Get Her

(It is 7:15 am when the phone rings.)

Me: “Front desk?”

(A female guest in her 40s with a British accent answers:)

Guest: “I need to make a local call. How much do you charge?”

Me: “Local calls are free!”

Guest: “Great! How do I make a local call?”

Me: “Dial eight, and then the number you need.”

Guest: “The number starts with 649. Is that what all local numbers start with?”

Me: “Um, the number should start with either 438 or 514 for most local numbers.”

Guest: “Well, I need to call my mother at the Best Western… Oh wait, here is says 1-418-649—”

Me: “Uh, 418 is to call Quebec City and the surrounding area. Are you sure you have the right hotel?”

Guest: “Yes… Best Western City Centre, on Rue de la Courone.”

Me: “That is in Quebec City. Quebec City will be a long distance phone call, so there will be a charge of 0.75$/min.”

Guest: “Wait, WHAT?! I THOUGHT WE WERE IN QUEBEC CITY! WHERE ARE WE? DID THEY SEND HER TO A DIFFERENT STATE OR SOMETHING?”

Me: “You are in Montreal. Quebec City is still in the same province, but it is about 2.5 hours away…”

Guest: “MY MOTHER IS 2.5 HOURS AWAY?! OH, MY GOD! OH, MY GOD! OH, MY–”  *click*