To my surprise, I got to spend a long weekend in the penthouse suite of my favorite hotel. I walked right up to the front desk without a reservation, and said, “Give me the finest room you have available!” The manager came to the lobby and with one look at my designer luggage he knew the penthouse was the only place for me. I was escorted by two bellhops up the secret elevator available to top floor guests only and was left with a bottle of Dom Perignon and a diamond tiara…
Ok, ok, ok, that’s not really how things went down. I walked from the orange line (public transit) to the hotel. I stumbled through the revolving doors carrying a gigantic backpack (some say I’m toting a midget around with me) on my back, a smaller backpack on my front, and a small case. I looked as thought I didn’t shower that day and had to sit in the middle seat on my Southwest plane ride to Chicago. The front desk was unable to find any reservation under my name or the name of my company. I got a hold of my coordinator whom actually forgot to book a room for me. At this point it looks like I am shit out of luck when suddenly, a miracle happens! The hotel manager decided to upgrade me to the penthouse, 26 stories up! I took the regular elevator and poured myself a glass of water upon arrival. I felt like a princess! Well, sort of…
After a few sessions of running down the hallway and flinging myself onto one of the beds, I immediately called my friends to let them know they had a place to crash for the weekend. It wasn’t long until my fridge was filled with beer, Jack, and orange juice and I had people helping me rearrange the furniture. We decided the loft, which looked quite empty, needed some additions. Jack in one hand, kitchen chair in the other, I felt like a rock star back at the suite after playing a sold out show. I was Rod Stewart and the Faces playing pranks and changing the hotel interior as I saw fit, except my hair wasn’t as teased, and I would have to put all the furniture back in the morning. Even so, I still woke up to an amazing view in a bed fit for a king.
:-)
Rivers 