Marilyn pulled into the hospital at around half past three in the afternoon, it had been almost a two day continuous driving stint and she was exhausted, as she sat motionless in the car, too tired to move she saw a flashing neon sign blaring at her demanding her attention from across the road 'VACANCY' it cried out.
She had planned to go right into the hospital, but the sign made her realize that she hadn't seen a shower, or a full sized mirror in over 48 hours, much less a bed. So she grabbed her silver overnight bag, which was now much heavier then when she had left Jazzlands and Angie few days ago, and took a quick detour over to the multi-story hotel etching closer and closer to the sign that continued to beckon her from across the street.
Inside the hotel a tall thin middle aged man sat at the front desk, busily typing away at a computer keyboard, his black hair slicked back with a small curl at the front, he was dressed in black pants and a red blazer embroidered with 'Stop Inn'
"Welcome to the Inn, how may I assist you," he said it without looking up from what he was doing and in a way that was so monotone and rehearsed he may well have been some type of robot.
"Well you could start by looking at me when you're talking to me sugar cakes, surely there isn't anything that important on that silly computer that you can't give me 5 minutes of your precious time?"
Surprised the man looked up, "Gee I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you ma'am."
"Honey I don't offend that easily, I just believe in good old fashioned customer service, if you ask me those damned computers are going to take over the world one of these days."
The man smiled again this time broader and she could feel him taking her in, wondering to himself why she looked so familiar, it was something that Marilyn was used to, something she had grown to expect from strangers.
Standing up from his chair behind the counter he extended his hand, "I'm Eddy, how can I help you?"
As Marilyn placed her hand in his he whipped it around and kissed the top of her hand gently.
Giggling a little she smiled at him sweetly, "Well Eddy my name is Marilyn and I have been driving near on two days straight and your big old sign out front says you have vacancies. I sure could use a place to rest up."
"Well Marilyn you are in luck, I have a gorgeous room on the third floor, it has a balcony with ocean views, and it has your name written all over it."
"My, that sounds divine Eddy, I will take it!"
"Great, how long will you be staying?"
"Well let's just take things slow, how about 4 nights?"
He tapped at his computer, still barley taking his eyes off of her, "That's $250 please, it's a bargain. I gave you my staff discount rate."
"Well you are just so sweet," said Marilyn as she handed him three crisp $100 notes, he quickly handed her the change, leant over slightly to the left side of the counter where the room keys dangled from neat hooks on the wall, and plucked one shiny set of keys on a key ring off of the hook, then he zipped around the desk, offering her the key.
"Here ma'am let me show you to your room, would you like me to carry your bag for you."
"That is very kind of you Eddy, you know I think you and I are going to get along just fine, now you lead the way." she said as she winked at him flashing him a brilliant smile.
"We offer great meals here if you're hungry...or room service, whatever you need!
"You know, I think I may just take you up on that offer one day," smiled Marilyn letting herself into the room and taking her bags from Eddy.
After a long hot shower, an hour of doing her makeup and hair and a fresh change of clothes Marilyn felt like a million bucks, she was ready to take on the world, one small piece at a time though.
She made her way down stairs and into the lobby carrying a green lockable tin, where she was greeted with a beaming smile from Eddy, "Well don't you scrub up well," he commented making a whistling sound.
"Why thank you kind sir, and I don't care what your mamma may have taught you, flattery will always get you somewhere, now tell me, does the hotel offer a safe for customers who have valuables?"
"Sure we do, would you like to put something in for safe keeping?"
"I thought you would never ask," she said teasing him, while holding up the green tin.
"Just sign this form and I will put this away for you now."
Marilyn scribbled her moniker and waited until Eddy come back and handed him the signed form.
"Marilyn Monroe! You're a dead ringer for that chick, I knew you looked familiar."
"Good evening Eddy, don't wait up for me will you sugar" said Marilyn ignoring his comment with a wave of her hand.
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