The Silence Before The Storm
The GM still going on about maintenance efficiency, while their over a hundred dirty rooms that needs to be cleaned and we are here in this nonsense meeting. Tyler's already played his "no materials" card – man's probably planning his next nap while he leans there looking concerned.
Then she turns to me for an explanation.
Hotel manager (GM): "Ben, you've been awfully silent. Why aren't the maintenance tasks being completed on time?"
Everyone in the meeting eyes were on Ben. Marlena standing next to me looking at me with that gotcha smile.
Ben thinking to himself:
(Man, I got a whole book of things I could speak right now.
I could tell her about how Tyler spends most of his time "inspecting" out-of-order rooms than actually fixing anything. Could tell her how Marlena waits until the end of shifts to put in work orders. Could explain how two guys doing the work of four is getting wore out isn’t exactly a recipe for success.
I could tell her how we are running around this place like a chicken with its head cut off, fixing toilets on one floor while AC units, smoke detectors, refrigerators are needing our assistance all while Marlena's documenting every second we not moving at supersonic speed.
I could also say how we're standing here having this meeting while we still have to make sure all checkout are gone).
But he just stand there, mouth closed and no saying nothing.
While sweat still running down his back, you can hear the elevator, probably dropping off more guests with more rooms that need stripping.
The GM's waiting for an answer.
Hotel manager (GM): Ben you don’t have nothing to say?
Ben keeps my mouth shut, 'cause If he speaks he has about six months of built-up truth that’s gonna come flowing out like the Mississippi River. And some truths you can't take back once they're out.
His silence is making everybody uncomfortable. Good. In reality they all know what going on but nobody wants to say out loud.
To be continued...