MADELEINE HOTEL, writing by @nachomolina | Original Story | Suspense

By nachomolina | nachomolina | 17 Dec 2019

MADELEINE HOTEL

"The suspense and uncertainty hide inside this strange place. The crisscrossed lives of the characters will change dramatically, for better or worse, they will seek the answer behind the walls of the MADELEINE HOTEL"

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From a distance I saw the majestic octagonal building, a lost piece of twentieth-century architecture. Landscaping was considered for its creation, but not so, the forecast of possible future growth. The concrete anchors next to the scaffolding indicated that there was a new stage under construction. The outer walls covered with sand-colored clay tablets, the windows of reflective material, contrasted perfectly with the vegetation and the blue of the sky. For me it was impossible to go unnoticed that monument, while walking through the ecological park, turning between my fingers my lucky coin in an infinite self bet face or cross...

I tried not to ruin the manila envelope that contained my curriculum sheet with the jacket sleeve. I was carrying the necessary papers for a job interview and only a few minutes ago I lost them by flying with the wind when I stopped in the square to polish my shoes with the shoeshine.

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With his wooden box, the black bitumen, the brushes and a tan cloth, the man humbly made a living by charging $ 1 for each pair of shoes he cleaned.

While serving me, he told the story of how he changed his luck for bad after having had everything in the past, to tell the truth, I did not pay enough attention to understand what he said ... I already had my own problems.

I thought

_ Six months without jobs are enough to drive you crazy!

But I always said: This city will give me a chance before I can get old! _Cruz !, I caught the coin in the air_, but it didn't show me the lucky turn I expected. At the moment I figured myself as that shoe shine, seeing my life tied to that trade, depending on the dust that people can wear in their shoes. _Good luck mine!_, But deep down, I aspired that my reality was another...

I had bought the local newspaper, ordered a coffee and sat under the canopy of the soda fountain. I dedicated myself to read the sentences:

_ Plumber with experience is requested...!;

The lady who was sitting at the next table seemed to have a problem, she was alone, writing in a notebook, then began to cry for no apparent reason. I looked at her strangely but I did not care, I only remember the dress she was wearing, it was pink.

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I continued:

_ "Certified Electrician", "Innkeeper with proven experience"...

That woman deconcentrated me, sobbing trembling now seemed to have a nervous breakdown. He dropped the pencil from my hand and I thought about it a little, I got up to pick it up.

"Have a lady, it is a pleasure to serve you!"; his eyes were emerald green, flooded with tears they looked at me with plea rather than with gratitude. I didn't know what to say, I just retired to read in my seat.

_ "I'm looking for a driver with my own vehicle"; "full-time vigilant (reservist)"...;

I kept looking unsuccessfully on the last page of that newspaper, all jobs seemed good but in turn they always had some limitation that left me out of profile.

The woman burst into tears again, tore the sheet of the notebook while hitting the table with her fist and finally left the place.

In my opinion the crisis in this city affected the temperament of people and these collective temperamental changes were already becoming more frequent, I was also one of those atypical cases.

Back to the topic:

_ "Creative gardener is urgently requested"

Creative gardener? Upf !, what the heck is that...

I was an office worker, my last public service charge in a government foundation lasted until the economic crisis began...

At present, I was on the street, with no more money, than some tickets I won in the lottery product of my last streak of luck, which were about to end.

Now I was talking alone, sitting on a park bench, my patience was running out and the situation gradually led me to despair.

_ I would like a more peaceful job, without cumbersome requirements or technicalities...

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The statements made me lose faith in the possibility of finding something in the newspaper. Putting it aside, I took off my glasses and looked around to relax the view;

_ I think that the small letters, in recent years, for me become even smaller than normal,

I have to change the formula of the crystals, I thought. I put a little more sugar in my coffee and took a sip taking advantage that it was still hot.

My eyes fell on a beggar who was lying on the floor at the entrance to the coffee shop.

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Picking up the leftovers to eat them, he asked alms to the gentlemen, while the owner of the premises ran him hitting him with a broom as if it were part of the garbage, then the Lord continued sweeping as if nothing happened ...

Again my negative thinking tried to associate me with what I was seeing, but no, this time I could not personify that indigent man ...

After a few minutes, I reconsidered,

_ I will continue reading these tiny letters; To see! What we have here ...

Attention: "Receptionist is requested, to work immediately, customer service (no experience required). Please go to MADELEINE HOTEL, Ecological Park Building, 5th floor."

Oh, this does sound good! Finally an acceptable option, I will go immediately I think today is my lucky day. I hurried to walk among those oaks and surround the small artificial pond located in the center of the park, that work proposal fit my profile and I already saw myself in that position; I quickly put my hand in my pocket, took out my lucky coin and threw it one more time, when I opened my hand the face of a president showed me his smile...

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The duck pond had a diametral bridge, but I was a little superstitious; I did not intend to cross bridges, or pass under stairs, or get in a car where some passenger nun was... I expected nothing to fail me this time. I couldn't believe that the favorite job I was looking for was always watching me from that building in front of me.

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In a hurry I went down the cobblestone sidewalk looking to overcome the obstacle, since the areas of the Madeleine Hotel were visible on the other side.

The wooden fence that was located at the edge of the pond, was covered by climbing ivy and sported a warning sign: "Deep water, stay away", people used to approach to feed the fish and ducks, this safety tape was to keep them out.

In the meantime I kept making a mark among the cobblestones, with my leather jacket and my shiny shoes.

In the last section of the road I saw the entrance to the building's gardens. The megalithic stone arch stamped with the word "Welcome M.H.", in italic letters. The gray color of the stone and the clay masonry showed the architect's intention to keep the work strictly based on natural elements...

I just had to sigh and say:

_ "May this arc welcome me to a new job, a new life ..."

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"The luck of that man had apparently changed, but in reality, he was barely knowing what awaited him as he crossed the doors of the MADELEINE HOTEL"

To be continue...

Author:

@nachomolina