Chapter 3: The First Day of a New Dawn

At first my eyes refused to focus and I felt ill at ease as I tried to wake up. Slowly, comprehension of the events of the previous day seeped into my consciousness as my mind cleared.

I remembered leaving the room last night about 7:30 and eating in the restaurant in the hotel. I was really surprised at the quality of the food and the service. What really got to me, was when I gave the key to the server he wrote the key number on the check and said thank you.

I felt something was out of place, as I had not given him a tip, so I said, “Excuse me, but I’m really not familiar with this whole thing and do I need to leave you a tip?”

The server laughed and then said “No, when we submit the bill to the government it will contain a 10% tip, so everything is taken care of. If I can help you with anything, don’t be afraid to ask, my name is Jim and you will see me around here quite a bit”.

After returning to my room, I had watched TV for a while then finally went to bed and immediately fell to sleep.

I awoke the next morning feeling my normal, groggy self. I finally reached the point where my body would function and decided to take a shower then see if I had time for breakfast, before I was to meet Murray. I glanced at the clock beside the bed and saw it was only 6:10, so there should be plenty of time.

I reluctantly removed myself from bed and headed towards the bathroom, to perform my morning duties.

The hot shower went a long way in helping me to awaken. I had always been an early riser; but never one who did so with reckless abandon.

Dressing for the day was a simple matter, as there was not a lot of choice since I was told not to wear a uniform.

I struggled into my only set of clean jeans and pulled on a short-sleeved sport shirt. Socks and my tennis shoes completed my outfit for the day.

I didn’t know how long I would be staying at the hotel, so had not really unpacked my seabag; I’d just left it sitting in the corner of the bedroom.

I locked the suite and headed down to breakfast. As I passed the lobby, I noticed Jim, my server from the restaurant last night, behind the reception desk.

He waved at me as I went by and asked if I had slept well.

“Jim, I slept like a log, I must have been really tired after that train trip.”

He laughed and said “Well, trains are not my favorite either, as I can never sleep on the damn things. By the way, where did you come in from?”

“San Diego, that’s where I went to boot camp,” I replied.

Jim smiled then said, “Breakfast is being served if you’re interested.”

“Yup, I never miss a meal, if I can help it,” I said with a smile, then headed to the dining room.