The Boarding House ( open to all)

[BillieTgal1965]

Just off the street you see a carved sign that reads “Mrs. Babbage, Boarding House. Rooms to let” in large letters you think of as old sign type. Just under it in smaller, neater carving “Rooms by the day or week, see within.” You mount the three stairs to the wooden porch open the door. A warm clean smell of furniture polish and old wood welcomes you. The foyer is appointed in deep blues and greens with old, comfortable looking chairs and couches placed at various windows. Finally your eyes rest on an old desk and counter, only then do you see me standing behind it. An unremarkable grey haired woman in her fifties I do tend to be the last thing people see in this room. I have quite the knack for blending in. For me it’s a matter of safety acquired by growing up in not so genteel times. Times when people were less cosmopolitan, more provincial, when standing out could get one beaten or even killed.
“Hello, Dear, welcome to my boarding house, I am Regina Babbage, but most here just call me Aunt Reg. We have plenty of rooms”…

 

[rl68]

one room plz

Hi there Aunt Reg. You look lovely tonight. I would like a room please. It's been a long day.

 

[BillieTgal1965]

I look you up and down, you look young, clean cut and not the type to cause a fuss or get liquored up and wreck the room. You also don't seem to be the type to skip out on rents so I turn the registration book to face you and give you a smile.
"Okay Honey, it's fifty dollars a day or 250.00 for the week, You get clean linens every Tuesday and full use of the kitchen as long as you clean up after yourself. No noise that can be heard outside your room after 11 pm on the week nights, 1 am on Friday and Saturday, that suit you?"

 

[rl68]

I look you up and down, you look young, clean cut and not the type to cause a fuss or get liquored up and wreck the room. You also don't seem to be the type to skip out on rents so I turn the registration book to face you and give you a smile.
"Okay Honey, it's fifty dollars a day or 250.00 for the week, You get clean linens every Tuesday and full use of the kitchen as long as you clean up after yourself. No noise that can be heard outside your room after 11 pm on the week nights, 1 am on Friday and Saturday, that suit you?"

Yes that sounds good I'll be staying for a week please...So how long have you been running this place. I like how the place looks, has a lovely ladies touch. The rates are reasonable. Can you recommend any good places to eat.

 

[BillieTgal1965]

"I've been running it since my husband passed away ten years ago, terrible accident at the plant he fell into an industrial lens grinder. Josie's cafe up the street is a good place to eat and she makes a wonderful peach pie" I laugh and touch my stomach " possibly TOO wonderful" I put your cash into the drawer and stretch a bit to ease my back, then run my fingers through my grey hair briefly."It's not a fancy place, nothing in this town really is though."

 

[rl68]

Uh I'm sorry to hear that. You look great. Pie does sound good right about now. I love the way your hair looks. Would you care to join me, why don't you take a break and join me. If not would you like me to bring you something. Don't answer yet let me drop my bag in my room then I would like an answer.

 

[BillieTgal1965]

I look you up and down and smile. "Well, why don't you run ahead and get yourself some lunch, I can't leave here right now but I would surely appreciate a coffee."

 

[rl68]

Ok then, I'll bring some coffee. Heading out to the shop all I can think about is how beautiful you look ....running your hands through your hair. As I eat I think about talking to you so more. I wonder when does she get off. I finish my meal and order a coffee to go and head back. Well hello again here is your coffee I didn't know if you wanted cream and sugar so I brought some just in case. So how's work? Miss me haha