Page 55 of Inarticulate

“No.” Kelly sank into the chair behind her computer screen and tapped buttons on her keyboard. “Just more bullshit from Grandiosity.”

The printer burred to life, spitting out page after page.

“More bullshit?” Savannah had actually had an uninterrupted seven hours sleep. She was energized, pumped, even overly enthusiastic about Keenan kicking some Penny ass.

“It’s probably nothing,” Grant offered, skirting the counter to stand beside the printer. He grasped the spat out pages, separated the top sheet from the rest, and handed them to her one by one. “This is your usual occupancy report. Nothing new there. But this…” He handed over the other piece of paper. An email header lined the top of the page, with two paragraphs of text below and an ominous business signature from Penelope Augustine at the bottom. “This is the latest correspondence from the evil queen.”

“What has she done now?” She skimmed the Times New Roman text.

Dear future Grandiosity staff,

By the end of business today, you will receive an individual email notifying you of the time and date allocated for your interview with someone in our management team. Due to the large number of interviews necessary, we are unable to facilitate changes to the schedule.

We appreciate your understanding on this matter and would like to reiterate that attending your interview at your allocated time is imperative in securing your position in the new Grandiosity hotel.

Penelope Augustine

“Is this what everyone was discussing?”

“It’s nothing, really.” Grant’s expression said otherwise. “We could all be reading too much into it.”

Amanda scoffed. “Discussing is probably an understatement. Everyone is pissed.”

“That email is only half of it.” Kelly made a shooing motion with her hand and the three of them straightened on the other side of the reception desk at the approach of a young family.

As Kelly checked the guests into their room, Savannah flicked through the pages of the occupancy report. It wasn’t anything new. She already had access to the numbers from her laptop and had a notification installed if a sudden influx of cancellations occurred.

Only her problem now wasn’t the probable influx of cancellations, but the rush of resignations she sensed approaching. Without staff, the unlikelihood of turning away guests would become a reality. And the wedding…Jesus Christ.If more of the Rydel team found new employment, or walked regardless, Savannah would have to stand beside Amanda as she told the bride and groom they couldn’t have their special day.

It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. A disaster that would gush more money from the company.

“Fuck,” she muttered and then winced as the family of four eyed her on their way to the elevators.

Kelly stifled a snort and Grant looked at his toes, a sheepish grin tilting his lips. They remained silent until they were alone—a receptionist, a shift manager, the event manager, and Savannah, the person who was meant to fix a mess she couldn’t fully fathom.

“You said the email was only half of it,” she started.

“Yeah.” Kelly leaned on the armrest of her chair. “Some of us already have our allocated times. I’m booked in to see them during the middle of visiting hours at the hospital. I won’t get to see my mother that day.”

Savannah winced.

“Sue in the restaurant is scheduled for her only day off and doesn’t know how she will find a sitter for her daughter. And Terry in maintenance is scheduled during one of his shifts. He’s already covering the work of two other people. Even if he did have permission to leave, he isn’t sure it’s feasible because the jobs he already has logged are too much for him to handle.” Kelly released a defeated sigh. “The entire hotel is going to hell in a handbasket.”

Savannah nodded. Nodded and nodded and nodded. “Right.”

She could fix this. Everything was fixable. “We’ll all work together. I’m a chameleon when it comes to this type of thing. I can work reception, albeit temporarily. I can help out in the restaurant and assist with cleaning rooms, if necessary. If we all work together we’ll be fine. I don’t mind if Sue needs to bring her daughter here for me to babysit.”

She didn’t know the first thing about children, but she’d learn. Penny wasn’t going to defeat her.

“That’s what I said,” Grant added. “I’m happy to work extra hours and cover where I can.”

“I wish I could say the same.” Amanda’s face was a mask of distress. “This wedding is going to be the death of me. I’m already working three to four extra hours a day. I don’t think my kids recognize me anymore.” She ran her hands down her cheeks. “I’m not like everyone else here. I don’t need this job. My husband is making enough money off shore for the both of us. But I can’t shirk my responsibilities. I can’t let this bride down. It will kill me if I do.”

“We’re not going to let anyone down. Especially not your mother.” She met Kelly’s gaze. “Can you open a new email for me?”

The receptionist nodded and focused on her computer screen.

“Write the following:Dear Rydel Seattle staff. Please notify me immediately if you are unable to make your interview appointment with Grandiosity. I will be on stand-by, covering positions where possible, to make sure you can leave during work hours. If you are unable to attend due to personal reasons, please rest assured that you will also be catered for.”

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