Chapter 14

I played around on the Internet, killing time until a little before 11 AM. After carrying my luggage out to the truck, I fired it up and headed for Capitol City. About fifteen minutes and a quick stop to pick up a package of condoms (just in case) later, I was parked in the Delaware Avenue parking building and heading for the skyway to the Mariott.

The skyway ended in a vestibule. There was a stairway and elevator there to take you to the lobby level. I took the stairs and strolled across the lobby to the front desk.

The pleasant young lady at the desk was both decorative and efficient, and in a couple of minutes I had my room assignment (1021) and key card in hand.

The elevator delivered me to my floor, and I found my room three doors to the left of the elevator shaft.

The room was nice and spacious, with two double beds, two chairs, and a small desk/table and the usual entertainment center, dresser and bedside tables. I unpacked with the efficiency gained in dozens of business trips. Suit and shirt hanging on the rack, dop kit in bathroom, duffle bag on dresser.

I looked at my watch to find that it was almost 11:30. Time to head for my meeting.

Closing the door behind me, I gave it a shake to make sure it was locked and took the elevator to the lobby.

Partway across the floor, I stopped, slapped my shirt pocket and grimaced. I did a quick check of my other pockets and shook my head. Walking to the desk, I encountered the same young lady I'd seen a few minutes ago.

"Excuse my Ma'am. I just checked in a few minutes ago. I'm heading for a meeting and I seem to have left my key card in my room. Would it be possible to get another one? I'm already running a bit behind, and I don't want to have to run back upstairs", I said with an embarrassed expression.

"Certainly sir. Can you give me your name and room number? I remember you from a few minutes ago, but I have to follow procedures."

"Of course you do. My name is John Darkscar, and my room number is 1021. Here's my ID."

"Thank you Mr. Darkscar. Here is a spare keycard. Have a good meeting and enjoy your stay with us", she said with a smile.

"Thank you Ma'am.

Slipping the card into my shirt pocket with the original one, I left the lobby and walked back through the skyway into the parking building. A short walk and one flight of stairs brought me to the food court. I bought a glass of iced tea and found a seat in front of Mykonos. I had about 10 minutes to wait.