Dickory

The Maple Hotel

Reed's foot was tapping nervously the whole way there. He'd found something to wear, at least. Chloe had stocked the wardrobes with expensive Levi jeans, designer tops and shirts. He'd tugged on a set of dark jeans and a plain looking long sleeved top that still looked modestly expensive. He'd then slipped into his new dress shoes with the excuse of breaking them in and tugged on his old leather jacket for comfort. He was grateful to find that Chloe had cleaned it up the night before. It had arrived tucked safely in one of their bags, still coated in Sandy's thirium. He didn't know when Chloe had taken it, but she'd probably had one of her doppelgangers collect it and work on cleaning it up the night before. Nines had opted to dress similarly, though his expensive top was a turtleneck to match his usual preferences. Reed could feel him watching as he stared out of the window.

Elijah was driving. They were in the large jeep again. It seemed to be his brother's choice of car for trips into town. He could feel his heart speeding up the closer they got to the Plaza, where the hotel stood tall in its own space behind the large mall. It was a fancy-looking glass block, the tallest building in the immediate area. The car rolled down to the underground garage and into a private section with a heavy metal shutter that slid down behind it. It was a large space, probably big enough for three limousines. Reed swallowed his nerves as he stepped out and looked around.

"This is the parking space for the penthouse, and the private elevator is just over here...We'll take it up to the ground floor of the hotel first. I want to introduce you to Joanna before your tour. She runs the place for us," Elijah explained as he led them across to the shiny metal doors and pressed the call button. They opened moments later. The lift had seen little use without residents upstairs. Chloe looped her arm through Elijah's as usual, and he naturally rested his hand on top. Reed shoved his hands in his pockets with a sense of dread settling in the pit of his stomach. The knot loosened a little as Nines stepped close enough for their arms to brush, reassuring him with his presence.

Stepping out of the elevator almost gave him a heart attack. He'd never been in a place like it. He'd seen it on TV before and looked at photos on the internet, but it was different to actually be standing in the cavernous entrance hall. Everything was marble, buffed and shiny, without a speck of dirt anywhere. The spinning glass doors were manned by two men in tuxedos and smart hats. Bellboys wearing red pushed brass trolleys of luggage through the entryway as men and women wearing expensive clothing strutted around like they owned the place. Reed had never felt so out of place, not even at his father's will reading.

Elijah led the way across to the front desk. They barely got halfway before a young blonde woman was hurrying out. She was dressed in a neat suit with a nametag that read Susie. She was all smiles and humble greetings as she shook Elijah's hand and welcomed him back, already getting ready to apologise for whatever had brought him all the way there. It was rare for him to turn up unannounced. She also wished them a Merry Christmas, which Elijah returned with an easy smile and gentle assurances he wasn't there on business, though he did need to see Joanna. He knew she'd be there. She always was during important holidays.

While his brother spoke to Susie and waited for Joanna, Reed wandered a little further off to better look around. There were four shiny elevators besides the private one they'd entered from, as well as a huge red-carpeted staircase for those feeling a little more energetic. There were guest toilets on one side for the events that regularly took place in the huge boardrooms, the restaurant on the ground floor, and the adjoining bar. The bar and restaurant stretched along the front windows, making the most of the view out onto the Plaza. It looked busy. Businessmen sat on bar stools, couples and families huddled at white covered tables, and neatly dressed staff rushed around with pads and plates.

"Gavin! Come and meet your manager!" Elijah called, startling him somewhat as he turned away from the busy closed off rooms. As he approached, he noticed a short woman who was likely in her late fifties or early sixties. She was wearing large, round glasses over her soft hazel eyes. The softness in her eyes was evened out by the sharp cut of her grey streaked hair and the soft wrinkles in her skin. He wasn't sure whether they came from frowning or laughing. "This is Joanna Reynolds, manager of The Maple Hotel. This is Gavin Reed. He's my brother, and the new owner of the building." Reed waited for the inevitable reproach, for the sneer that was sure to follow as Joanna looked him over.