Thirty dollars!?

Matthew Jones

Despite her train-sized beak, Anastasia was obedient and walked with me toward the gas station. She walked further ahead, with her arms crossed, as if she were pirouetting, but at least she was there. We didn't exchange a word, but I honestly didn't even want to risk it. I feel that any word I say will be like pouring gasoline on a field covered in fire.

I kept walking, and soon my cell phone started vibrating. I thought it was Johnny with good news about the credentials, but as soon as I picked up the phone and stared at the display, I was frustrated. The last remnant of battery life I had on my cell phone was simply gone. I huffed and slipped it back into my pocket again.

Anastasia, who was walking ahead, stopped suddenly, causing me to stop as well. She turned to me abruptly, looking like a haunting. I confess that I was startled, and when I saw her foot hit the ground several times in a row, I frowned.

“What?” I questioned. Anastasia forced a smile and pointed with her thumb to a spot behind her.

I looked away from her and realized that we had arrived at the gas station – or rather, what was left of it. I won't admit it out loud, but Anastasia was right. For the first time, her stubbornness was something that was just right, and something that I was happy to overlook.

Suddenly, something thick and cold hit my forearm, drawing my attention to the area. When I looked, I realized that it was wet, so I raised my head, staring up at the sky. There were heavy gray clouds above us. Surely it won't be long before this torrent comes down?

“Okay, then let's go back.” I stared at her. “If it starts raining, at least we can take shelter in the cafeteria.”

“It closes at eleven. Even though it's still ten o'clock, by the time we get there, it's already closed.” She sighed. “And I'm not going back.” She said firmly. “I told you it was the other way. Nobody told you not to listen to me.”

“That's good. And what are you going to do, so?” I laughed. “It's already raining. Everything is closed or closing down, and without a motorcycle we won't get home.”

Anastasia looks around, thinking about. I thought I was almost convinced her to go back, when she says:

“Why don't we just stay here?” She suggested and stared me.

“What?” I asked.

“Yeah, we can stay here.” She shakes her head positively. “It’s dangerous to take the road with raining, and I’m sure that must be somewhere twenty-four hours a day, with a bed and a sofa.”

“Do you rather spend a fortune paying a room rental for one night?” I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. “If I put fuel in the motorcycle, we'll be home in no time!”

“It's at least an hour on a deserted and dark road.” She stared at me, boredly. “And, again, it’s raining.” She said the obvious. “As much as I really want my home and my bed, I know it’s dangerous. I don’t wanna die now! At least not until I realize my dream of going to Juilliard!”

I looked at Anastasia, keeping my posture and trying to convince her with my gaze. But she still in the same way and added:

“And another thing is that we can't take turns at the wheel, because that doesn't even have a steering wheel.” She laughed, humorlessly. “I know it's against your wishes, but will you at least listen to me this time?”

I clenched my jaw and stared at a random spot at the end of the street. The idea of spending the night in this part of the world does not appeal to me very much, but, once again, I will have to agree with Anastasia. It’s not safe for us to take the road at this hour. Even I don't trust myself to drive at dawn…

I took a deep breath and stared at her. Rehearsing, waiting for long hours and driving aimlessly up and down the street must be exhausting. Although I said the same thing, I don't feel my body complaining anywhere, so I can't totally agree with that.

“Okay.” I finally said. “Let's do this: let's keep moving. The first place we find with accommodations is where we will spend the night, okay?” I raised my eyebrow. “It shouldn't be too far away, and thus we reduce the road time.”

Anastasia nodded, and then we resumed our walk.

I don't think we took more than five steps, and the rain simply started to fall. It started with thick, spaced out drips, mixed with the warm wind, and got harder and harder, falling in fine drips and more volume of water. Unanimously, without exchanging a single word, Anastasia and I picked up the pace.

Within five minutes of walking, I was completely soaked. It felt as if I had jumped into a swimming pool. And I don't know if it was because of my clothes, which got heavier the wetter they got, but even pushing the bike was difficult.

There was so much rain that even my vision started to become a little blurred. I literally couldn’t see anything ahead. Just as well that we didn't take the road, because it’s dangerous to drive on wet roads. It’s very slippery… But, again, I won’t admit this.

Suddenly I saw a light at the end of the road. Literally. It was a kind of reddish light, I think. For a minute I thought it was from a traffic light, but there wasn't enough movement here, so it could only be our light at the end of the tunnel. Anastasia and I looked at each other and walked over to it. The red light belonged to a sign, which was shaped like an arrow and had the inscription: Ma… Me… Mo… Motel. Motel!?

I stared at Anastasia, who was standing in front of the parking lot, with the blinking sign inviting us in. I sighed and looked around. Personally, I hate motels. Besides being a bit uncomfortable, the look on people's faces when they see someone arriving or leaving in one is always… annoying. However, it’s raining hard, and if I’m cold, I have no doubt that Anastasia is too…

“Come in and stay protected from the rain.” I indicated with my chin to the main door of the place. “I'll take the motorcycle to the parking lot and be right there.” I said and, begrudgingly, I pushed the motorcycle, accepting the invitation of that sign with the red lights.

There was a security guard at the entrance to the parking lot, inside a guardhouse, protected from the rain. He looked at me with a certain curiosity, but I ignored him and left the motorcycle parked there, next to several others. Apparently the place is quite full, but I hope that there is at least one room available. One, no, two. Anastasia will freak out if we end up in only one room. Besides, it's too cliché. The two who hate each other ending up alone in a motel with only one bed. No kidding!

I roll my eyes and run to the entrance, opening the wooden door, which creaks when I push it open. I run my hands through my hair, pushing a few damp strands away from my face, and end up splashing a few drops of water on the old carpet. Actually, I’m leaving a puddle of water where I’m standing, because I’m completely wet. We need to hurry up to the bedroom and dry ourselves off. This is not going to end well, especially if…

I completely forgot what I was thinking when I noticed Anastasia.

She was standing in the middle of the reception area, her arms wrapped around her own body. She was as soaked as I am, and from where I’m standing, you can see her arms are shivering, which means she is cold. But, not only that.

I swallowed hard as I looked down at her shirt, which was as wet as her hair, which simply became transparent and allowed me to see

“Focus!” My subconscious screamed, causing me to awaken from my trance.

I shook my head to the side and looked away, realizing the situation, where we are and why. I need to stay focused.

After a long sigh, I force my feet to walk to the reception counter, where a woman with hair as red as the lipstick on her mouth was sanding the nail on her ring finger. As soon as she noticed my approach, she stopped what she was doing and stared at me.

“Two rooms, please.” I asked, as I searched the back pocket of my jeans for my wallet.

She looked away to a spot behind me and smiled mischievously before saying:

“I'm sorry.” She stared at me. “The house is full.” The smile on her face widened. “I only have one room left.”

I blinked a few times, trying to process what was happening.

Is this woman really going to throw this one at me? I mean it! I understood her gaze to a point behind me. It was Anastasia, of course. And, another thing: except for the crowded parking lot, I know she has many rooms. Look at the number of keys hanging on the wall behind her! Does she think I'm an idiot?

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Any other time this wouldn't bother me, but I know that the reason I'm here has nothing to do with what she's thinking, and I suppose that's what irritates me the most. Maybe part of me wishes that the reason we were here was something else…

Finally, I open my eyes, facing her again.

I know Anastasia will freak out about this, but it's better than being out in the rain and having nowhere to shelter. And, well, I don't mind sleeping on the couch or on the floor. Would I prefer the bed? Absolutely. But, I'm an idiot and not rude.

“Give me this room, then.” I open my wallet and see that it is soaked. “I need you to bring me a clothes dryer. Also, two cell phone chargers.”

“We have an additional cost for chargers.” She warned, while typing something on the computer. “Thirty dollars. Each one.”

“Thirty dollars?” I widen my eyes, surprised at how much this is a rip-off. She looked at me bored, but I just sighed. “What about the dryer?”

“Every room has, besides the bedroom, a mini living room, a mini kitchen and a bathroom with a Jacuzzi.” She said simply.

“Do they offer all this for people who are just going to have sex?” I couldn't contain my question.

“Each one has your own fetishes.” The woman shrugged, smiling mischievously. “And we have this additional, because we have had many problems with them.”

“With the chargers?” I blinked a few times, perplexed.

“As I said, everyone has your own fetishes.” She raised her arms in surrender.

Although I am someone who is very knowledgeable on the subject, I don't even want to think about what people have done with these chargers to get them into so much trouble. I raised my eyebrows and picked up my card, handing it to the receptionist. Everyone has their own fetishes, after all.

After filling out all the paperwork to prove that neither Anastasia nor I were underage and that we also accepted all the policies of the establishment, I paid exactly four hundred and twenty dollars for a room and two damn porters. Honestly, I'm not even going to think about it now, because I know I'm going to regret it bitterly.

I took the keys to the room and climbed the few flights of stairs. Anastasia didn't make a peep. She was barely breathing as she walked behind me with her head down. I imagine how red her cheeks must be at this very moment.

As soon as we pulled up in front of the designated room, I unlocked the door and pushed it open. I entered the room and groped the next wall, looking for the light switch. I turned on the lights and looked around. It wasn't that luxurious, but it was no small thing either. Well, it had a Jacuzzi, right? If it weren't for the actual circumstances, I would use it. I really need to relax a bit…

And, as expected, there was a couch big enough for me in the “mini living room” that the woman at the front desk mentioned. Personally, I don't know what's so mini about it, because this room is bigger than mine. I sighed and turned to Anastasia, who decided to become part of the furniture, standing like a statue in the middle of the place. Her cheeks were rosy, so I smiled.

“I know that saying this will be the same as saying nothing, but make yourself at home.” I laughed nasally. “I'll see if I can get some gas with those thieves down there, so I can at least get to the gas station.”

“But, it's raining…” She muttered.

“What's a fart when you already have a shit?” I shrugged. “Enjoy drying your clothes and don't forget to charge our cell phones, okay?” I said, pulling mine out of my back pocket. At least it didn't look like my wallet, otherwise I'm sure I wouldn't have cared. “You don't have to wait up for me. If you're tired, just lie down on the bed and rest, because we leave here early tomorrow.” I warned, handing her my cell phone. Anastasia just nodded, then said nothing more and left the room.

I don't know if it's the tiredness, but I'm starting to feel my head throbbing…