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hope
May 28, 2007 16:33:15 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:33:15 GMT -5
Daniel went over to the front window. With a grin, he ripped down the sign he'd made earlier and crumpled it in his palm. Things were looking up. He had three boarders already. While it wouldn't make him a fortune, or pay the bills really, he was happy that anyone had come. Months before reopening his grandfather's boarding house, he had had nightmares of sitting behind the counter, day after day, spending his time waiting for anyone to come in and cleaning dust out of all eight empty rooms.
New people didn't only mean money. No. They also meant some fraction of companionship. He wasn't used to behind away from his family. The thought of being alone, completely alone, scared him a little. He wasn't sure how ready his tenants would be to socialize with him, but he was happy just to have bodies around...whether they spoke to him or not. He should make a new sign, he thought. Inviting people to come in and advertising cheap room and board and cheap food.
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Gin
New Member
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:33:55 GMT -5
Post by Gin on May 28, 2007 16:33:55 GMT -5
"You're not out of room are you?" Gin asked with her soft southern accent breaking the silence in the room.
She had just made her way to New York not too long ago and stayed with her brother for a bit before taking to the idea of getting her own room in a lodging house of her own. She had seen the sign the day before and excited announced her departure but if they were empty she'd just have to leave and try another house.
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:34:19 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:34:19 GMT -5
Daniel whirled around at the sound of a voice. There before him stood was a girl expectantly awaiting a reply. He gave her a reassuring smile as he said, "Miss, we are the opposite of out of room." He motioned her over to the counter and produced his ledger and put it in front of him with a thud. Flipping though the pages, he did a quick count of his lodgers and then his open beds. "Well," he told her. "We have 16 beds in the ladies' rooms. Three are occupied. So, thirteen left. Just sign your name right here and you're set." He held out the pen. "Also, would you like a room mate or a room to yourself?"
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Gin
New Member
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:34:42 GMT -5
Post by Gin on May 28, 2007 16:34:42 GMT -5
Gin smiled softly signing her name neatly in the book.
"I dont really mind either way." she said with a smile
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:35:16 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:35:16 GMT -5
"Well, then, let's promote a spirit of community, shall we?" he said with gusto. "How 'bout Room 1? There's a girl already there. Her name's Molly. Haven't really seen much of her around for the past few days, but she seems nice enough. Right night store there's...." He paused a minute to consult his book. "Anne-Marie - she's kind of quiet. She's in the same room as Ivy. Hey, Ivy's southern too. Missouri, I think. Where're you from?"
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Gin
New Member
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:35:43 GMT -5
Post by Gin on May 28, 2007 16:35:43 GMT -5
"I'm from Georgia." she said with a smile, "I'm Virginia Dolson by the way...Gin for short."
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:36:04 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:36:04 GMT -5
"So I read," he said with a lopsided grin, pointing down at his ledger. "Please to make your acquaintance, Gin. My name is Daniel. Daniel......for short. Ha, no. I answer to nearly any form of my name. Just not Danny Boy." He shook his head and pointed his finger at her to accent his statement. "I have an older brother. He thinks it's a funny little pet name for me. I have horrific memories of being a kid and having him chant Danny-Boy over and over as he pummeled me for fun. Not cute. Definitely not......Anyway, you can usually find me here or nearby if you need me. If I'm missing in action, my room's back that way. Just, you know...knock first please."
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Gin
New Member
Posts: 40
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:36:30 GMT -5
Post by Gin on May 28, 2007 16:36:30 GMT -5
"I'm not really the type to go running into a room that doesn't belong to me." she said as she glanced around the room.
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:36:48 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:36:48 GMT -5
"Nah, you don't seem like it But some people are, so I make a general habit of announcing it to everyone. Just to be certain. I grew up with four brothers and sisters. Someone was always barging in on someone else. Guess I'm scarred for life." He laughed and rolled his eyes. "Need help with your baggage.? I'm not doin' anything right now and I'm a pretty good at hauling things. I had plenty of practice lugging beds and furniture up the stairs."
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Gin
New Member
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:37:26 GMT -5
Post by Gin on May 28, 2007 16:37:26 GMT -5
"I dont have much to carry but I guess it wouldn't help. I'd have a guide at least."
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:37:45 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:37:45 GMT -5
"Ah, it's not hard. But let me give you the grand tour anyway. I'm in need of practice....for you know, when the president comes by. I can give him a grand tour of our modest establishment and then feed him a hearty meal of jam and bread from our bountiful pantry." He came from behind the counter and took Gin's suitcase. Hoisting it onto his right shoulder, he motioned for her to follow.
"Now, for the grand tour. Here we have the counter. There is the stool where I sit and waste far too many hours of my life. Back there is my room, as you know." He walked toward the stairs, pointing out things as he went. "Through there is the kitchen and the bountiful pantry, stuffed with jam an pickles. Up the stairs now. Tally ho!" He walked up the stairs with heavy stairs, his shoes going thump, thump, thump as he walked. At the top of the stairs he stopped and turned a sharp left, opening a door and then going in. "And here we have your room. Notice the four luxurious beds! And trunks at the foot for storing things." He dropped the suitcase down at the foot of an empty bed and ran a hand through his hair.
He walked toward the door, motioning out of it as he went. "Out there we have the hallway. There are three more rooms and they look exactly like this! Imagine that! At the end of the hall is the washroom. I'd show it to you, but being a man, I don't think I'm allowed in the ladies' room. Up the stairs is another hall identical to this, only for the manly half of our population. There're only two right now. You ladies have us outnumbered. Upstairs is the roof. But no one supposed to be up there. The state department deemed it "unsafe." And I think that's it. How did I do?" he said, taking a bow.
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Gin
New Member
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:38:09 GMT -5
Post by Gin on May 28, 2007 16:38:09 GMT -5
"Very well..." she laughed Gin slowed her laughter and looked at him a little bashfully for a bit. "Do you need someone to clean up around here...there's quite a few rooms." she said, "I need a job if I'm gonna stay here. My brother would pay otherwise but I dont want to be his burden longer than needed." Gin looked down for a bit studying the floor for a minute before gathering the nerve to look back at him.
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:38:30 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:38:30 GMT -5
"Well...." he started slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as he thought. He was as embarrassed about his answer as she appeared to be about asking. "Right now, I'm practically broke. So, I couldn't pay you anything. There's a job for a cook, but that's already taken. If something changes on that I'll be the first to let you know.....but.....as for now, I know a few people. I could ask around, let people know you're looking for something decent. No pub work or anything like that. There's a restaurant down at the docks. It gets a lot of sailors and dock workers, but it's family owned and is generally clean and safe. Have you tried there?"
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Gin
New Member
Posts: 40
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:38:52 GMT -5
Post by Gin on May 28, 2007 16:38:52 GMT -5
"What if you didn't pay me per say but just let me stay here. Clean for my keep so to speak. I dont want to be a burden I really dont." she stated but then shook her head, "Never mind...I have no right to ask you such a thing. "
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hope
May 28, 2007 16:39:35 GMT -5
Post by Daniel on May 28, 2007 16:39:35 GMT -5
He didn't know what it was, maybe it was the softness her face became when she glanced downward, but all of a sudden, he wanted to lean over and brush away the lock of hair that had fallen across her forehead. "You have every right to ask me that. There's no harm in asking for things that you want."
He paused, not wanting to sound overly soft or dopey. "You want to clean for your keep? That could be arranged. But you sure you don't want something better? Something that actually could make you a dime or two. I've got three sisters, so I know how girls can be about new dresses and shoes."
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