The Blinding Light of Sunrise: The Las Nevadas Arc - AU Short Stories

Chapter 13.5 Leaving Las Nevadas Part 3: Fundy and Jack Manifold

Jack jolted awake, his heart racing.   He'd overslept!  How long did he have until the guards came by?  It took him a second to realize that instead of newspapers on the ground, he was surrounded by warm blankets on a soft mattress.  He pressed his hands into the mattress twice to make sure it was real, it squished pleasantly.

Now he remembered.  He'd taken Wilbur's job offer last night.  Fundy had brought him here and he'd been so thankful to have a bed, he'd fallen on it and passed out with barely a look around.  From where he was he could tell the room was more opulent than the one he'd stayed in a few nights ago.  A suite of some sort, but not just a regular suite.  Some sort of high level presidential suite.  His brow furrowed slightly.  It felt like a bit much for a hotel manager.

He'd guessed that was the job Wilbur wanted him for.  It made the most sense.  He'd been running The Big Jack Manifold Hotel for ages now.  Wilbur wouldn't have tried so much if he'd wanted him to be a guard or a dealer.

The pressure in his bladder reminded him he needed to use the toilet.  He rubbed his head and made his way over to the washroom.  He stopped in his tracks and stared, open-mouthed.  The washroom was huge and elegantly tiled in earth tones highlighted with golds and blacks.  The bathtub, itself, could probably fit five people and the walk-in shower looked more like its own room.  Everything was brightly lit.  Large windows looked out over the mountains.  There was even a couch with its own f-ing coffee table and bookshelf.  It was as though no expense had been spared.  On the bathroom counter, next to the sink, were a set of toiletries and a new electric razor.  It was so much nicer than he was used to he almost felt like he shouldn't be using it.

But he really had to take a piss.

He quickly rubbed his short hair dry with the fluffy, embroidered hotel towel after indulging in a long, hot shower and shave.  He walked back to the main room with a towel wrapped around his waist.  And then he noticed the trio of mirrors in an alcove.  He walked toward them and realized it was a huge walk-in closet.  Undergarments, new work boots, belts, dress shoes, two suits he knew he'd never be able to afford, trousers, bowties and regular ties, and, most noticeably a large number of white dress shirts.

To one side was a walnut vanity with a folded note upon which, in neat script, were written the words, Jack Manifold.  He opened it and read:

Dear Jack,
I wasn't sure what you'd want so I got you a few of the main things.  You can always buy more later.  If the suits don't fit you can ask my tailor to come up and fix it.  After you've had breakfast, come downstairs and ask for me.
Wilbur

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door.

"I'm coming!  Just a minute!" Jack cried.  He quickly stumbled into some pants and jeans and struggled to pull on a white undershirt.

Another knock.

"Just a second!"  He tripped on his own boots and grabbed the door handle, pulling it down.  "Hi," he said with an embarrassed smile to the person in a waitstaff uniform.  He looked at the large cart between them filled with glinting, silver-domed topped plates. 

"Good morning," the young woman in the black and white pinstriped shirt and black apron said.  "Our kitchen is pleased to offer you a selection of foods from our breakfast menu."  She took off the lids.  Waffles and crepes and eggs of at least five types and hams and sausages and streaky bacon.

He patted his pockets for his wallet and then remembered.  He almost wanted to cry at the thought of all that beautiful food rolling away.  He managed a sheepish smile at the woman.  "I'm sorry, I don't have enough to pay for it right now."