Single Minded Demands

(Sometimes our sales manager gives some of her friends a certificate for a free night’s stay at our hotel. I am checking in such a stay.)

Customer: “Hello, checking in? The name’s [Customer].”

Me: “Right, Mrs. [Customer]. I see that this is a free night’s stay? May I see the certificate?”

Customer: “Right here.” *hands it over*

Me: “Okay, I see that’s in order. Here are your keys and sign here.”

(She signs and leaves, waving goodbye. A few minutes later, she comes back with a teen girl in tow.)

Customer: “Excuse me, but I’m supposed to have a room with two beds in it. This is a room with only one bed!”

Me: “I’m terribly sorry; let me check the reservation again.” *checks* “Ma’am, the reservation says that a single bed was booked, not two. Furthermore, I’m afraid we don’t have any more two-bed rooms.”

Customer: “This is outrageous! I know the owner, you know. You’re just trying to trick me, because I’m a free stay and I’m not paying!”

Me: “I don’t see why… uh… anyone would do that.”

(At this point, I start to get nervous, because our sales manager is married to the owner, so it is possible she’s telling the truth. Fortunately, the teen speaks up.)

Teen: “Mom! Didn’t you say that you were going alone until I agreed to come with you at the last minute? Doesn’t it make sense then that you would book only a single bed for yourself?”

Customer: “I… I… It must’ve slipped my mind.”

(Caught, red-faced, she slinked off with her daughter. A few minutes later, I got a call from her room asking meekly for a cot. I got her one, and reported the incident to the managers. Soon, she is their friend no more, and I never saw her again!)