She was middle aged, maybe mid 40s, though she looked like she'd had some rough years. I'd venture to say very little formal education, had kids early, smoked a lot, and maybe did a short stint in prison. Actually, she looked like some of my family members. Anyways, she was walking around in this black, short trench coat. It hit mid thighs. I dont know if she had pants on. I'm going to guess no. I tried looking, but didn't want to stare...too long. She had on knee high black boots. Leather or pleather or something. No heel. She had bleached blonde hair that needed a good brush or a straightener. Or at least some purple shampoo to reduce the brassiness (side note that always surprises people - dyed blonde hair or highlights turn brassy unless you use a shampoo that's purple. Fixes it right up! I travel with it; can't live without it.) Anyways! This woman was a mess. She comes up to me, a lit cigarette in one hand. "Excuse me! Do you smoke?" I told her I didn't. "I need some Marlboros. They gave me Newports (she hold up a pack). I'm old school. I like the marbs. This is a smoke free hotel. I cant even smoke here!! I need a marb!" Remember, I'm standing in a parking lot, still unloading suitcases, trying to stack things so I can carry them. I wondered for 1/2 a second who "they" were that bought her the wrong cigarettes. Why couldn't she go buy new ones? Why would you book a room at a smoke free hotel if you smoked? And then realized I didn't really care and I went back to loading my suitcases. Then
another car pulled up. She watched the car pull in and then to me, she said, "I wonder if they smoke." I said "it's worth a shot". Her response to this? Wait for it.... "I could use a shot right now! I'd love a drink. That's a great idea. But I stopped drinking. Haven't had a drink in a long time. I - need - a -Marb! They don't look like they smoke!" She walked towards their car. Asked them. Then wandered back towards me. "Oh it's you again. You don't smoke" Did she forget I was still standing 10 feet from her? How bad could this Newport be if she was smoking it? She walked away again, wandering towards the back of the hotel, into the darkness. I figured she went to go smoke her Newport, away from the hotel. I left the parking lot and went to check into the hotel, thinking I should blog about this character later. In all honesty, I forgot all about her...until this morning.This morning I was sitting, eating breakfast in the breakfast area, which is conveniently just a part of the lobby. The woman wandered back into the hotel, and marched over to the front desk. "I already checked next door. Just give me a f*cking light!" The woman behind the desk gave her a book of matches. I have no idea what she checked next door. She stormed back outside and stood in front of the entry way. There was another younger, much more put together woman in the lobby. Perhaps her daughter. She was apologizing for the woman's actions. I went to go get some more juice. When I returned a cop car was outside the entry way. The cop was talking to Marbs. I couldn't hear anything through the glass window, but 6 members of the hotel staff were watching from inside and outside the door. The cop looked angry. He was pointed his finger at the woman who didn't appear to be backing down. Another cop car pulled up. A second cop gets out. The first cop starts walking the woman around the parking lot, with his arm around her shoulder. I'd finished all my food, but was staying in the lobby just to see all this go down. The daughter came back inside and tells the front desk staff that she's going to go into the woman's room and claim all her belongings. And then it was over. I have no idea what happened. The cops drove away. I didn't see the woman inside either car, but she didn't come back inside. I am guessing she was asked to leave. Anti-climactic right?
Moral of the story:
Don't be the crazy person.
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