This blogger pulled off at the last rest stop before Cape Girardeau. The homeless tabby rubbing against his ankles should have been the omen for what lay ahead. Perusing the printed free motel guide, there was a choice between two Drury Hotels at the same exit. The blogger, being retired, chose the one $20.00/night cheaper using the coupon in the guide.
He called ahead for availability and directions. Joan confirmed both and checked him in at 8:30p.m. but could not find the cheaper rate of $62.00 in the computer that the coupon promised. Finally, we settled on $72.00 with taxes. She belatedly said,"There is no elevator (room 224), is that OK?" as she handed me my room key. I did not want to admit an old sports injury to my bum left knee, smiled, and headed to my room.
Going to Outback Steakhouse for dinner and returning at 11:30p.m., my key card would not work. On the third buzzer attempt, Mike admitted me. In my room, I discovered I had forgotten my toothbrush. Leaving the room, the door refused to lock. I reported lack of toothbrush and door malfunction to Mike. "It happens", he said, smiling, and handing me a toothbrush. He fixed the electronic door with a screw driver and WD-40. As a precaution I locked and bolted the door from the inside.
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I knew it was an old property. What I did not know was that they had added a swimming pool, and re-installed the septic system overhead in my ceiling. All night long, every two hours, toilets flushed and sounded like water cannons going off above me. At 3:30a.m. the air conditioning shut itself off and the room temperature quickly went from 72 degrees F to 80 degrees F.
At dawn I showered and headed down to breakfast, catching Mike before he left his shift. I told him about the septic system/constant toilet flushing and he said he would check into it. I reminded him of the door which would not stay locked and he promised to leave a note for maintenance. I did not tell him that the "do not disturb" plastic sign broke in half when I put it on the door knob---I figured that was an issue for the maids, not the front desk.