Prelude - part 2: At the Hotel

"I would like to book a room" said Pi.

"A room?" asked the woman.

"Yes, a room" replied Pi.

"Do you have te necessary papers?"

"Does that matter? I have money - isn't that what you want?"

He looked at the woman. Her face was craggy, like the outside of a poorly kept municipal building. She caught his eye and then swiftly looked away. Shuffling, she muttered "it isn't as simple as that... I'm sure you know this". Once again, she caught his eye. This time, he felt uneasy, as if her stare had somehow unearthed several of the things that he'd like to keep to himself.

He maintained her stare. As the seconds ticked by, he felt that it was he who was now the powerful one. "My money is good for so many. If it is not good enough for you, then tell me so. It will not be long before i find someone for whom it is good enough."

She sighed. Pi could have sworn that some of the air that emanated from her lungs had been sat there for at least ten years from the way that it smelt. "So", he asked, "what is it to be?".

"You can stay for now. But if your papers are not in order soon, you'll be wishing your money was not so good. I'll need three weeks rental in advance" (Pi's face evaporated) "three weeks or you'll sleep on these drenched avenues instead."

Pi shrugged. He hated his bluff to be called... "OK". He sighed once more, swiped the keys from the reception bench, picked up his bags and stomped up the stairs in a fungal huff. She would pay for this. The would all pay...