The Rose Hotel – Chapter 1

Sitting in the library reading the ‘Situations Vacant’ pages Jason was a bit worried. He had successfully completed his university entrance exams but needed some summer vacation work to help pay for the year ahead. At 19 he was capable and willing to try anything. The problem was that the temporary jobs were all offering minimum wages that was not enough to build up a surplus to cover the next twelve months. All of a sudden his eyes focused on a job that sounded more interesting:

“The Rose Hotel requires a young man to join the team servicing our exclusive clientele. Must be flexible and accommodating to clients’ needs. Working hours will be long but satisfying. No prior experience required, this will be provided on-the-job. Excellent salary, clothing provided and large tips can be anticipated. Apply to The Manager etc…etc…”

Jason quickly wrote down the number and hurried to telephone the hotel. A man answered and they had a brief conversation about his age and his reasons for wanting the position.

“We’d better see you down here Jason” the manager said. “Pack something light and catch a train to Worthington-on-Sea. Let us know the time and a car will meet you”.

Jason hurried to comply and the next afternoon was alighting on the platform at the discreet seaside town. A uniformed chauffeur approached him and took his bags to a waiting Rolls. “We normally have this car for the guests” he said, “They are the type of people who like to be picked up and taken to the hotel as quickly as possible. Don’t like hanging around. Our visitors are very particular. Then I’m sure you’ll find out about that if you work here.”

Jason looked out as the countryside slipped by. The hotel was obviously some way out of town. The Rolls glided up a quiet country lane and turned into a tree-lined drive. The only entrance sign for the hotel was a pair of intertwined roses painted on the stone pillars by the road. The car’s tyres crunched down the tree-lined gravel drive and pulled up in front of an old manor-house.

“Up the steps and ask for The Manager at Reception” he was instructed.

Jason was shown into a well-appointed office and a moment or two later a man came in:

“Welcome Jason, I am André, the manager of The Rose Hotel. I hope that your journey was comfortable.”

After a few brief introductions André began asking questions of Jason – his age, how he felt about serving clients, whether he had worked in hotels before and so on. After about half an hour of discussion he told Jason that he seemed perfect for the position that they had in mind.

“We need also to talk about what your salary and conditions will be. The success of our hotel is based on two important principles. Firstly we must do whatever our clients want – we are here to service their needs. Secondly because of the particular nature and requirements of our clientele we must be totally and utterly confidential and discreet. We require anyone working here to never discuss the hotel outside of these four walls. In return we pay our staff exceptionally well – in your case you will receive four times the minimum wage. Our clients are also most generous with gratuities if they like the service offered – so you can expect to nearly double your earnings.”

This sounded amazing to Jason –