Computer issue.
Reserved inventory.
Miscommunication.
Margaret continued.
“The next hotel is quite a distance, isn't it?”
“There are other hotels in Dallas.”
“I've been walking in the rain. My legs aren't particularly happy with me.”
Chloe looked past Margaret toward the doors.
Margaret asked, “Could I sit somewhere until the rain eases?”
Chloe pointed toward a chair near a side wall.
“You can sit there.”
“Thank you.”
“And please don't touch anything else.”
Margaret paused.
“Anything else?”
“The displays.”
There were decorative books and a small sculpture near the chair.
Margaret looked toward them.
Then at Chloe.
“Of course.”
She walked over.
Sat.
Placed her handbag on her lap.
Ten minutes passed.
Nobody offered water.
That alone violated Aurelia's lobby standard during weather delays.
Fifteen minutes.
A bellman crossed the lobby helping a family with luggage.
He was young, perhaps twenty-four, slim, with dark hair and tired eyes. His name tag read SAM CARTER.
He noticed Margaret.
Their eyes met briefly.
Sam smiled.
Not professionally.
Genuinely.
“You all right, ma'am?”
Margaret nodded.
“Just drying out.”
“You need a towel?”
“That would be lovely.”