{"id":1002,"date":"2016-09-29T04:30:40","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T11:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/?p=1002"},"modified":"2016-09-29T04:32:47","modified_gmt":"2016-09-29T11:32:47","slug":"the-macedonia-hotel-chapter-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/2016\/09\/29\/the-macedonia-hotel-chapter-11\/","title":{"rendered":"\/the Macedonia Hotel, Chapter 11"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Macedonia<\/a>The Macedonia Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n

A NANOWRIMO<\/strong><\/p>\n

Relay writing project<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By the Wayne writers Guild<\/strong><\/p>\n

Completed July 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n


\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Macedonia Hotel<\/p>\n

(This fictional piece is the product of a relay writing project by the Wayne Writer\u2019s Guild In honor of NANOWRIMO-2015.\u00a0 Any resemblance to real events, people, places, or things is a coincidence and neither intended nor implied to be real and accurate.<\/em>)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I extend my thanks and gratitude to the contributors who shared their time and talents to make this NANOWRIMO Relay Writing Project possible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The individual chapters are the intellectual property of the author.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Special thanks are extended to John Cieslinski for his generous use of the book store\u2019s back room.<\/p>\n

–Kate Chamberlin, Coordinating Editor<\/p>\n

July 20, 2016<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wayne Writers Guild<\/p>\n

Meets at 7:30pm \u2013 9:00pm, on the 2nd and 4th. Tuesday of each month<\/p>\n

Books, Etc. of Macedon, NY<\/p>\n

John Cieslinski, Owner<\/p>\n

78 W. Main ST. Macedon NY 14502<\/p>\n

Phone 585-474-4116<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Chapter 11<\/h1>\n

<\/a>The Mysterious Visitor<\/h1>\n

<\/a>By C. A. Stahr<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

He appeared one afternoon.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t much observed.\u00a0 He was a quite ordinary man.\u00a0 One would not look twice in his direction.\u00a0 His clothing was out of fashion by any measure, a bit frayed and perhaps somewhat musty smelling.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t tall or short, thin or obese.\u00a0 His coloring was kind of a golden brown, like a Native American\u2019s perhaps.\u00a0 His hair was long, but tidy \u2013 pulled back in what was called a ponytail and tied with a silver string that sparkled in the afternoon sunlight.<\/p>\n

Well, actually, he was observed by one person \u2013 that was me.\u00a0 I was on the front desk.\u00a0 My shift had commenced at 1 o\u2019clock and it had been a typically boring afternoon.\u00a0 Not much happened at the Macedonia until 8:00 or 9:00 o\u2019clock in the evening.\u00a0 Ours is a pretty quiet town.\u00a0 I would describe it as \u201cdull.\u201d\u00a0 Anyway, I noticed the man because he was the only guest to arrive that afternoon and I was hungry for something to do.<\/p>\n

He approached the front desk and requested a suite for a week\u2019s stay.\u00a0 A suite, I chuckled, where did he think he was?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe closest thing we have to a suite is a queen bedroom with a private bathroom,\u201d I responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then,\u201d he said, \u201cI suppose that will have to do young man\u201d \u2013 he peered at my name tag and said: \u201cMr. Frank, that is.\u00a0 Is there someone to take my bags to my room?\u201d he queried.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be me,\u201d I told him and accepted his trunk key to retrieve his bags.<\/p>\n

When I returned to the lobby, the mysterious Mr. Wayne was nowhere to be seen.\u00a0 I shrugged and went about my business.\u00a0 What a strange man, I thought.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t stated his business in Macedon and I had neglected to ask.<\/p>\n

Mr. Wayne returned a bit later and asked to speak with the Hotel Manager.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something I can help you with?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou can tell the Hotel Manager I wish to speak with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir,\u201d I responded, somewhat put off by his officious manner.<\/p>\n

As it happens, Ms Davis entered the lobby just as I was about to go in search of her.\u00a0 \u201cMs Davis,\u201d I said softly.\u00a0 \u201cThis gentleman has requested a word with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, of course.\u00a0 Will you come this way, Mr . . .?<\/p>\n

\u201cWayne,\u201d he supplied.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for taking the time to talk with me.<\/p>\n

So off they went to the manager\u2019s office.\u00a0 They were in there for some time and finally emerged, both in a somber mood, it seemed.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrankie,\u201d Ms Davis instructed.\u00a0 \u201cPlease give Mr. Wayne a tour of our fine hotel.\u00a0 Take the pass keys and allow him to inspect anything he wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d thought I.\u00a0 \u201cMust be a Safety Inspector or a Zoning Inspector, or some kind of official.\u00a0 Boy, is he in for an eye full.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Wayne looked in every nook and cranny of our hotel.\u00a0 He inspected the boiler room, not just the boiler, but every inch of the room.\u00a0 He instructed me to open every guest room and he actually entered every room, made notes, pulled back curtains, looked out windows, measured closets, and counted the number of rooms per bathroom on each floor.<\/p>\n

Then we climbed to the attic level where all the unused furniture and stuff are kept.\u00a0 Now that is one hot and dusty place in the middle of August, I can tell you.\u00a0 We moved dusty furniture, pushed boxes and trunks around, measured windows and checked out lighting fixtures.\u00a0 He spent long minutes peering out the windows at the landscaping and the surrounding buildings.\u00a0 A funny duck was he.\u00a0 He uttered nary a word to me, only mumbled and hmmmm\u2019d and whistled every once in a while.\u00a0 I sure was getting weary of this adventure, I can tell you.<\/p>\n

\u201cNext stop,\u201d sang out Mr. Wayne, \u201cthe cupola room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, I\u2019m no sissy, but I avoid the cupola room at all costs.\u00a0 I\u2019m not afraid of much, but I don\u2019t figure to meet up with any ghost if I can help it.\u00a0 However, since it was my job, I gingerly guided Mr. Wayne up the stairs to the cupola room.\u00a0 A rocking chair was rocking gently with a soft creak as we entered the room. There was no one in the room.\u00a0 The windows were closed and there was no draft.\u00a0 The room was dusty from unuse, but the chair continued to rock, back and forth, back and forth.\u00a0 I stood in the doorway, prepared for a quick retreat.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmmm, fascinating,\u201d Mr. Wayne mused.\u00a0\u00a0 He then circled the room, took measurements, peered out of each window, circled the room again and sat down in the rocking chair.\u00a0 It stopped rocking.\u00a0 I gulped quietly. \u00a0Mr. Wayne took his notebook from his jacket and began writing hurriedly.\u00a0 I waited.<\/p>\n

After a considerable time, Mr. Wayne asked me to escort him to the roof.\u00a0 \u201cThe roof?\u201d\u00a0 I asked.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Mr. Frank, the roof.\u201d he repeated in his most patient voice.\u00a0 So, to the roof we went.\u00a0 I thrust open the trap door amidst cobwebs and sawdust and led the way to the rooftop.\u00a0 Here we stood for long moments.\u00a0 Mr. Wayne strolled to the very edge, peered over, scratched his head, walked the entire perimeter of the rooftop and jotted down some more notes.\u00a0 \u201cWhat could he possibly find interesting enough to take notes on?\u201d I wondered.<\/p>\n

Finally, Mr. Wayne replaced his notebook inside his jacket pocket and told me to lead the way down.\u00a0 We returned to the lobby where Ms Davis was waiting for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for your invaluable help. Mr. Frank,\u201d he said, and motioned Ms Davis to return with him to her office.\u00a0 And off they went leaving me with a zillion questions and zero answers.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot my concern,\u201d I cautioned myself.\u00a0 And I returned to the front desk to sign in a guest who was just entering the lobby.<\/p>\n

But, of course, I kept glancing at Ms Davis\u2019s office door, wondering what was transpiring behind it.\u00a0 I am unnerved by closed doors.\u00a0 They bring the most perplexing possibilities to my vivid imagination.<\/p>\n

Several hours later the usual crowd began to filter in through the lobby and to who-knows-what-party, as always.\u00a0 My unfounded fear was that Mr. Wayne would exit Ms Davis\u2019s office while these rag-a-tags were traipsing through the lobby and think poorly of our hotel.\u00a0 \u201cNow, where did that come from?\u201d I wondered.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d think it was my establishment and, of course, I\u2019m just a grunt here.\u00a0 But, I do take pride in our hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

I went off duty at 9 o\u2019clock and still had not seen Mr. Wayne emerge from Ms Davis\u2019s office.\u00a0 The suspense was killing me.\u00a0 \u201cOh, well,\u201d I consoled myself, \u201cMs Davis will probably fill me in in the morning.<\/p>\n

The next day was Friday and I went on duty at 1:00 o\u2019clock, like always.\u00a0 The hotel was all abuzz with tenants, local merchants, and various Macedon residents in clusters around the lobby.\u00a0 Now, the Macedonia Hotel may not be the Ritz, but we do have a very large impressive lobby.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s going on,\u201d I asked John, the Proprietor of Books, Etc. as I pinned on my name tag and glanced around the front desk to be certain everything was in place.\u00a0 John handed me the Macedon Post and there on the front page was a color photo of Mr. Wayne with a cover story that read:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE PURCHASES MACEDONIA HOTEL<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mr. David Wayne (of the Wayne County Waynes) has purchased the Macedonia Hotel for $3.9M.\u00a0 Mr. Wayne states that he has had his eye on this hotel for several years and has exciting plans for its renovation.\u00a0 Several floors will be added to include such amenities as a heated Olympic size pool, an exercise room, a unisex hair salon, a 5-star restaurant, a Club Room and several well-appointed suites. \u201cI will make the Macedonia a Grand Hotel in its own right,\u201d said Mr. Wayne.\u00a0 Several surrounding buildings have also been purchased and will be replaced by a multi-level parking garage and a luxurious park surrounding the hotel.<\/p>\n

The purchase goes hand-in-hand with a Casino that Mr. Wayne will build on Route 31 \u2013 just a short distance from the Hotel. The Wayne Complex will boast a world-class Water Park as an added incentive to patrons who wish to combine their Casino junket with family vacation.\u00a0 \u201cTravel by highway, canal and a newly created air-strip will bring Casino patrons from all over New England at the very least,\u201d is Mr. Wayne\u2019s prediction.<\/p>\n

When asked what will happen to the current residents of the Hotel, Mr. Wayne responded: \u201cWell, of course, I have made provision for everyone who will be affected by my plans.\u00a0 I am presently negotiating with a local contractor to build affordable apartments on the Route 31 corridor near Macedon proper.\u00a0 No one will be displaced as a result of new ownership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once refurbished, Mr. Wayne will reside at the Hotel in the Cupola Room Suite.\u00a0 He has expressed great interest in this particular part of the Hotel.\u00a0 Perhaps, he knows something the rest of us don\u2019t?<\/p>\n

It seems that Mr. Wayne has thought of everything.\u00a0 And Macedon will soon be a thriving city with ancillary businesses to support the Wayne complex of Hotel, Casino and Airstrip.\u00a0 These are indeed exciting times for Macedon, NY.<\/p>\n

John watched as I read the article, a wide smile on his mischievous face.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think of that, Frankie?\u201d he chirped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ll be,\u201d I mused.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019d have thought that unimpressive man with his frayed coat and dusty shoes was a billionaire?\u00a0 His quiet ways and straightforward manner gave no clue to his place in society.\u00a0 As you\u2019ve often said, John, you just can\u2019t judge a book by its cover!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Author Bio:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. A. Stahr was born in the Finger Lakes area, lived in various eastern USA locations and returned to our area in 2011 after her husband, Alan, passed away. Anne has three children and three granddaughters. Ms Stahr earned her B.S. at Columbia College and devoted more than 25 years to Human Resources Management.\u00a0 She is a Literacy Volunteer, gardener, avid reader and aspiring writer, as well as a valued member of the Wayne Writers Guild.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    castahr@gmail.com><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Wayne Writers Guild<\/p>\n

    Meets at 7:30pm \u2013 9:00pm, on the 2nd and 4th. Tuesday of each month<\/p>\n

    Books, Etc. of Macedon, NY<\/p>\n

    John Cieslinski, Owner<\/p>\n

    78 W. Main ST. Macedon NY 14502<\/p>\n

    Phone 585-474-4116<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Macedonia Hotel A NANOWRIMO Relay writing project     By the Wayne writers Guild Completed July 2016 The Macedonia Hotel (This fictional piece is the product of a relay writing project by the Wayne Writer\u2019s Guild In honor of NANOWRIMO-2015.\u00a0 Any resemblance to real events, people, places, or things is a coincidence and neither […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1002"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1005,"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1002\/revisions\/1005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/katechamberlin.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}