Shadows of Death

Chapter 3(Christopher section 4)

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Mary nodded again and said: "That's your business, not mine!"

She paused and then continued: "And fourth rule: we don't have a fourth rule!"

She turned her head toward Christopher, who was standing silent until that moment and asked: "You need a room, too?"

"Yes, ma'am."

He said politely.

"You heard the rules, right?!"

"Yes, ma'am."

"So tell me, how many nights are you staying?!"

"I don't know yet, ma'am."

She smiled gruesomely. It seemed Mary liked Christopher. Apparently she enjoyed being called 'ma'am.'

She asked: "How old are you?"

But before Christopher could answer her, she continued: "You look like a college student. I'm talking about your face. Those college students can sleep in the park at night to save money! However, it's not my business. Give me your money!"

Christopher put his hand in his coat pocket. He pulled out the bills that the taxi driver gave him, separated twenty-five dollars, and gave it to Mary. Mary nodded then picked up two keys from the board and while she lumbered toward the wooden stairs said: "Follow me!"

They were going up the third flight of stairs when the young girl flashed a smile at Christopher said: "Hi. I'm Jolie. What's your name?"

Christopher looked up at her but he didn't answer. But Jolie was not disappointed and asked: "Are you a college student? Which college? You know, I'm a college student. I was studying economics but I couldn't continue it because of personal problems. What's your major?"

Christopher didn't answer.

Jolie continued: "Yeah, it was a time I don't like to talk about with strangers, too. But these days everyone should have a relationship with others. Do you understand my meaning? I mean, you should have friends. Good friends! You can count on me as a good friend. Okay?... So you didn't tell me your name yet, did you?"

Christopher didn't answer again. He didn't like talkative girls. But Jolie didn't surrender! So she continued: "Yeah, so I guess you came here from another state. You must be tired from your trip. Where did you come from? Let me guess. Texas? Yup, that's got to be it. Texas people are really introverted. Just like you. But when you come to New York you have to learn to be more sociable...okay...? You still didn't tell me your name!"

Fortunately, before Christopher could say anything, Mary with a loud voice spoke over her final sentences and said: "This is your room."

They had reached the third floor and Mary was speaking to Jolie. Mary went to open the door of the room. Jolie's room was the first room on the right, and like the other rooms was painted all in white. Before Jolie entered the room, with her last try she said: "Well, I'll be here for now but if you have any problems I'll be here."

Christopher was standing like robot, without showing any reaction to her speech. In fact, he didn't care about such things. Jolie faced with Christopher's cold reaction just shrugged and when Mary opened the door went in the room with her. After a few moments Mary came out from the room. After exiting the room she said: "Your room is at the end of the corridor."

After they arrive at the last room on the right, Mary while trying to open the door said: "This is the best room here. I don't rent this room to just anybody. Sometime I prefer to keep it empty rather than a punk come in and stink it up. But I like you. You're polite!"

She opened the door, entered the room and continued: "I like polite boys... well, this is your room. I hope you like it."

The room was cold and soulless, just like Christopher's morale. There was a double bed that was clearly stiff and hard. Also there was a toilet and a closet on the left side of the room and a small mirror that gave the room a little more elegance. Other than that, there was nothing in the room besides the windows, which faced the street with cream-colored curtains that engulfed the silence. Also there was a phone attached to the wall beside the bed. Mary put the key in Christopher's hands and said: "Take care of my favorite room, boy!"

When she looked at Christopher's face realized he had a question. She read his mine and said: "The bath is at the end of the hall. If you want to find something to eat, you can get something on the next street."

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Continue: Chapter 3 (Christopher section 5)

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