John went back to the desk and asked the clerk if there were any motels he could stay at. In the same frustrating monotone the clerk informed John of the motel right across the street.
The motel looked like something out of a handbook on America's creepiest places to stay. The split level motel was shaped like a Victorian era house, there were plenty of gingerbread trimmings and the end rooms rose up in towers. The entrance was also tower-like, a thirteenth room apparently just above the entrance.
Going in John saw that the interior was also strangely antiquated. There was floral wallpaper and old-fashioned chandeliers hanging in the lobby. A thick wooden desk with loomed before him. The man at the desk was well over seven feet tall and heavily muscled. His black hair was spiked and he wore looped silver earrings in each ear. He had a modern goatee, but the business suit he wore contrasted with his muscles. He looked uncomfortable in them too, as if not used to wearing them. John could tell by the back of his hands the man was probably very hairy too. He was the type of man people called 'sir'.
"Welcome to the Motel California" he said in a deep, almost seductive, voice. His smile was at once friendly and intimidating. "You must be John Roberts. The airport phoned to tell us you had lost your luggage. We provide a service for people who loose their clothing through the airlines. It looks like you had a run of bad luck." He finished, eying John's dripping clothing.
"You can say that. It's funny, the airport didn't mention any special service."
The big man shrugged, something that his clothes seemed ill fit to handle as John could have sworn he heard some stitches popping. "Sometimes the folks at the desk there are less than helpful. Though I don't think I need to tell you that." He chuckled and John managed a grin. The guy might be built like a pro wrestler, but he had a sense of humor. "You're really very fortunate, we have exactly one room left."
"Let me guess, the one directly above this lobby?"
The man chuckled again "Right out of a 'B' horror movie, isn't it? Not to worry, though, I prefer not to attract attention by having disappearing guests. You'll find some clean towels in the room, and the closet has a very large wardrobe. Try not to be too surprised by what you find in there. Over the years we've gotten guests of all shapes and sizes, some with very interesting tastes in clothing. We naturally try to accommodate everyone." the man reached behind him and pulled a room key off the hook. It was marked '0'.
"What, no number thirteen?" asked John with a grin.
The big man laughed "No, nothing so cliché as all that. The room is a free curtsy of the airport, as are any clothes you take. There is toothpaste and other hygiene products in the room. Cable and internet. Don't look so shocked - just because this place is decorated in early Victorian doesn't mean we haven't kept up. If it weren't raining this place would probably look charming - it does to most guests. My name is Mack, there is a phone connected from your room to this desk if you need anything. I have the night shift, so I'll be here all night."
John thanked Mack and went up to the room. There was a huge king-sized bed and all the furniture seemed made for people at least a foot taller or a couple hundred pounds heavier than Mack. Remembering what Mack said about trying to accommodate every guest, John explored around. He found the t.v., VCR, and a DVD player hidden as part of a fake wardrobe in front of the bed. The bathroom was far more spacious than John would have thought possible, the tub more like a spa pool in shape and size. Finally, mark went into the closet by the bed. It seemed wider and deeper inside than he expected. John examined several of the clothes, many much larger or much smaller than he'd normally wear. Some looked like nothing more than bondage equipment. John was torn between trying on some of the more extreme clothing or trying something more normal.