Dance Dance Dance Read Online Free PDF

dress, but just a tad unsuitable for this hotel lobby. No fault of mine, only a difference in life-style.
    "You had a question concerning our hotel, I believe?" he voiced most properly.
    I put both hands on the counter and repeated my query.
    The man cast a glance at my Mickey Mouse watch with the same clinical unease a vet might direct at a cat's sprained paw.
    "Might I inquire," he regained his composure to speak, "why you wish to know about the previous hotel? If you don't mind my asking, that is?"
    I explained as simply as I could: A good while back I had stayed at the old Dolphin Hotel and gotten to know the owner; now, years later, I visit and everything's completely changed. Which makes me wonder, what happened to the old guy?
    The man nodded attentively.
    "In all honesty, I'm not entirely clear on the details my-self," he chose his words guardedly. "Nevertheless, my understanding of the history of this hotel is that our con-cerns purchased the property where the previous Dolphin Hotel stood and erected on the site what we now have before us. As you can see, the name was for all intents and purposes retained, but let me assure you that the manage-ment is altogether separate, with no relation whatsoever to its predecessor."
    "Then why keep the name?"
    "You must forgive me, I'm afraid I really don't. . ."
    "And I suppose you wouldn't have any idea where I could find the former owner?"
    "I am sorry, but no, I do not," he answered, moving on to smile number 16.
    "Is there anyone else I could ask? Someone who might know?"
    "Since you insist," the man began, straining his neck slightly. "We are merely employees here, and accordingly we are strictly out of touch with any goings on prior to when the current premises opened for business. So unfortunately, if someone such as yourself desires to know anything more specific, there's really very little ..."
    Certainly what he said made sense, yet something caught in the back of my mind. Something artificial, manufactured really, about the responses from both the young woman and the stiff now fielding my questions. I couldn't put my finger on anything exactly, yet I couldn't swallow the line. Do you share of interviews and you get this professional sixth sense. That tone of voice when someone's hiding something, that knowing expression of someone who's lying. No real evi-dence to go on. Only a hunch, that there was more here than being said.
    Still, it was clear that nothing more would come from pushing them further. I thanked the man; he excused himself and withdrew. After his black suit had vanished from view, I asked the young woman about meals and room service, and she went on at length. While she spoke, I peered straight into her eyes. Beautiful eyes. I swear I almost began to see things in them. But when she met my gaze, she blushed. Which made me like her even more. Why was that? Was it that hotel spirit in her? Whatever, I thanked her, turned away, and took the elevator up to my floor.
    Room 1523 proved to be quite a room. Both the bed and the bath were far too big for a single. A full complement of shampoo, conditioner, and after-shave was provided, as was a bathrobe. The refrigerator was chock-full of snacks. There was an ample writing desk, with plenty of stationery and envelopes. The closet was large, the carpet deep-piled. I took off my coat and boots and picked up the hotel brochure. Quite a production. They hadn't spared any expense on this job.
    L'Hotel Dauphin represents a wholly new development in quality city center lodgings, the brochure stated. Complete with the latest conveniences and full twenty-four-hour ser-vices. Our guest rooms are spacious and sumptuously styled. Featuring the finest selection of products, a restful atmo-sphere, and a warm at-home feeling. "Professional space with a human face."
    In other words, they'd spent a lot of money, so the rates were high.
    Indeed, this was a very well turned out hotel. A big shop-ping arcade in the basement, an