Strutting up to the inn, I pause before pushing the door open. This is the last place I hadn’t asked. Calming my nerves, I step into the establishment. ‘If this doesn’t work, I can always just move to the next town,” I comfort myself.

Walking up to the counter, I politely wait for the receptionist to come over. It wasn’t easy but I figured out Wilbur’s method was truly meant for the elderly. An old lady told me that I shouldn’t walk like I was a cripple before kicking me out. Biting my lips, I wait for the suave receptionist to attend to me.

Different from most of the other inns, this one had a male receptionist. Hoping this wasn’t where they would say males bring the customers, I fiddle with my fingers while waiting. Taking care of the gruff man before me, the receptionist gives me a warm smile and asks, “How can I help you?” Smiling back, I say, “Hi, I was wondering if you guys have any work I can do?” Trying to look the best I could, I continue to smile after.

The receptionist stares at me and then runs into the back room. Getting an uneasy feeling, I start to shuffle towards the entrance while watching the backroom. This might be me being paranoid but just today, seven owners have come out of the back room and berated me. The owner of the best chicken kabobs in town even tried to pay me for something before chasing me away.

Just as I reached the wall, the back room door swung open. With large anxious eyes, the receptionist looks around. Not finding me at the counter, he pulls an overweight man out of the back room and frantically talks to him for a moment. Panicking, I edge closer to the door until I can touch it. Shuffling my way in front of the door I casually push it open and leave the inn when a hand grabs my shoulder.

Frightened, I jump forward and scream, “I’m leaving! Don’t yell at me! I didn’t come here to sell any body parts, I swear.” Turning around I take a few more steps before the man says in a demanding voice, “Stop right there. Do you think you can advertise and run away without providing? Move and I will kidnap you!”

Backing up away from the man I watch him carefully with teary eyes. Why me? I didn’t hurt anyone, why does everyone yell at me? The man points at me with his grubby finger and stares with bulging red eyes. The worst part is he won’t smile properly. Wilbur always told me that you could tell a person’s intention by how they smile. A smile that doesn’t seem to bend enough means that they want you to disappear. A smile that seems to sparkle even in the dimmest lighting means that they are genuine. A smile that bends far too much and shows way too many teeth signifies that I found a bad person and that I should avoid them at any cost.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Just as I turn to run away, the man shakes and falls to the ground. The overweight person that he brought out of the backroom had slammed a chair on his head. Still cautious, I slowly back off while watching the large man. Seeing me trying to get away he also smiles but something catches my eye. Although most of his teeth were yellow and beyond help, three on the top left side of his mouth shined like the sun.

Wilbur’s methods may not work for me personally but he’s never been wrong. This man might not have all of the best intentions, but he does have three teeth that shine. He wants to help me. Seeing that I wasn’t running away, he tries to coax me into coming closer.

Another thing Wilbur always says is that if a person tries to baby talk you into coming closer, he is one of the worst types of criminals possible. A pedophile. Good thing I’m not a child! I hesitantly get closer, watching his every move. The man introduces himself after he stopped making the infantile sounds, “Hello, my dear. I'm Thomas, the owner of this establishment. I hear that you want to work. I’m pleased to say we-” He gestures to the unconscious man, “Are in need of workers. Now, If you could just wait for me inside the inn. I’ll join you after moving him out of the way.”

He steps out of the doorway to let me in. Not sure if it’s on purpose or not, he stares at my neck as I pass him. Shuffling inside, I watch as the Thomas labors to push the receptionist out of the steps. First, he tries to push the body off, but it only rolls slightly and settles back into place. Huffing with exertion, he gets down off the steps and tries to pull the body off. Not getting much effect for his effort. He gives up. Kicking the receptionist a few times, he enters the inn.

“Now my dear, what’s your name?” he says while trying to control his breathing. Still staring at Thomas I glance at the receptionist outside. His foot kept the door open and a cold draft swept in the room. It’s late, and I really don’t have the money to stay at any inn right now. Might as well get this to work for now.

Walking around Thomas while keeping a healthy distance, I kick the receptionist off the stairs and close the door, “Hi, I’m Winowna, just Winowna.”

Thomas glances at the closed doors and smiles, looking closer I could see why his teeth were shining. They were fake. “Great job! Tomorrow, I’ll get Igor to show you the ropes. For now, why don’t you eat something and get some sleep my dear? If you aren’t well fed and rested, how are you going to work?”

Thinking about it, I didn’t find anything wrong. Nodding, I say, “Sure mister Thomas!” Grinning, Thomas whispers, “Perfect!”

I’m not sure why, but I feel like Mr. Thomas acts funny. I guess that's how real human males sometimes act. I might as well get used to it.