I am still a little lost for words when Elizabeth and I get back onto the elevator. It is the same one I attempted to use before but is now blessedly empty of other guests. Definitely the same elevator operator/Keeper though and I swear that at least one of its eyes rolls at me but it has so many it’s kind of hard to tell. Potential eye roll aside, the thing does its job, and the elevator rattles to life.

“Tell me about yourself?” Elizabeth breaks the silence.

“Excuse me?”

“So, I can pick a good guide for you.”

“Oh, yes, well um. I’m 53, never married, no children of course. My parents passed away a few years ago and I don’t really have any other family- wait,” I turn to her in shock, “could they be here as well? My parents?”

“Possibly,” she muses, “It does happen from time to time, meeting up with family or friends. It’s much more likely when people arrive in groups,” she says delicately, “But we can check of course,” she brightens, “when you’re feeling up to it.” 

“Yes, that would be nice, thank you.”

“Anyone else you’d like to look up?”

“What about famous people? like Martin Luther King jr, or Harriet Tubman, oh, or Bach!”

“A fan of classical I’m guessing?” she laughs, “But no, I’d meant people you’d known during your life.”

“Ah,”

My face must be broadcasting my inability to come up with a single name because Elizabeth says apologetically, “Sorry, that might be a lot to consider on your first day, let’s get back to easier topics, what did you do for work? for fun?”

Work I can talk about, “I dabbled in a lot of things, but my main business was hotels! I owned and operated several very successful chains from the most luxurious to some much more simplistic budget friendly options. We had locations in all fifty states, and I was working on some overseas deals before, well, before I passed…”

Elizabeth claps her hands together, “Isaiah! That gives me a wonderful idea!”

“My death?”

She gives my shoulder a playful shove, “No, your management experience!”

The elevator takes this moment to ding pleasantly, and the operator less pleasantly taps its foot.

“I’ll tell you on the way,” She grabs my arm and drags me onto the fifth floor. The elevator landing is impeccably decorated and spacious. To our left and right hallways stretch past the open archways and another bank of elevators sits directly across from us. The only thing the space is missing would be clear, understandable signage. Undaunted by the lack of signs, Elizabeth leads me to the left, “I like simple solutions for complex problems,” she flashes me a look, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement, “You need a guide, not only around the hotel but someone to help you identify what’s holding you here. We can accomplish both of those things by having you help me with my work! I spend a lot of my time managing people and activities, but I also assist a lot of guests in achieving their goals. Maybe one of them can offer you some clues on your own needs.”

Her offer makes sense, I’ve managed hotels before, so in theory I could be of assistance on that side of things. But on the other hand, I’ve never really thought of myself as a people person outside of business purposes. I’m not sure if ‘helping others with their goals’ is in my wheelhouse.

My reluctance has her back peddling, “Not that you have to of course, you’re free to do largely whatever you’d like during your stay here, but I’d really like for you to consider it, not only could I use the help but I really think this will be good for you as well. And you don’t have to answer now,” she tacks on quickly, “Like I said before, you really will want a few days to yourself.”

I didn’t hate the offer in the first place, so her attempt at convincing me is unnecessary, but I will take the time to think about it. I might only be so willing because the prospect of even more time with her is appealing.

“I do think you’re right about that,” I chuckle tiredly,

“Well, here we are,” presenting a very normal looking hotel room door with a flourish, “518,”

“Thank you,” I breathe, “I really am quite grateful for your help.”

“I’m happy to!” she chirps, “I’ll let your neighbors know that you’re moving in and to give you- oh,” her expression falls, “I realize this might not be the best time, but it would be cruel not to warn you.”

“Warn me?” I echo with alarm.

She points to the door across from mine, “This is Eddie’s room.”

“Oh god.”

“He’s really not that bad!” she defends quickly, “But he can be a bit- much,” wincing slightly, “I’ll make sure he knows to give you a little space, especially right at first.”

“As long as I can get some rest, I’m sure I’ll be able to handle him,” I was going for a reassuring smile, but Elizabeth doesn’t appear convinced.

“You really will feel better in a day or so,” she consoles, “much more settled.”

“Right, well, thank you again,” my last drop of hope that this is all a mistake dries up when my key fits perfectly in my door.

“Any time,” Elizabeth smiles, “I’ll give you a call to check up on you in a few days. Goodnight, Mr. Bradley.”