My short story continues with this insightful excerpt:
The One Actor That I Did Not Know
Most of my guests are corporate leads,
and my first was none other than, The Jackson Five.
I was one week new on the job, then--still 18--handled a few guests, as I was learning the ropes of the hotel's various department functions and their contribution to the hotel. Tom Hanks, bellhoping at age 20. As I'm keeping my jaw tightened, a kid about my age with a nice afro that is in style. "I'm Michael Jackson." Pleasantries were exchanged as my assistant dropped the room key, and as I maintained eye contact, "My assistant is briefly detained (to sway his watch from behind my back making hand gestures to the clerk), our bellhop there will take you and your luggage to your suite.
Love is my Prop
I've fallen in love with a four wheeled prop
And I am walking along with a bop
I thought long and hard
Now it's my safeguard
Together we make a gruesome bellhop.
I wondered maybe it'd make me look old
But then perhaps I am old, all things told
I feel quite sprightly
Now stand uprightly
Things have improved a hundredfold, I'm sold.
They do say that pride comes before a fall
I’ll tell you that is true for one and all
With my wheels I shop
Held up by my prop
Furthermore we’re in for quite a long haul.
4th March 2022
T his the mid-seventies, California,
O akland Airport Hilton Inn, town aura,
M idst Oakland Stadium Complex, airport.
H ospitality Senior Special sort.
A t nineteen, I worked as a front desk staff,
N ear my location was the bell desk half,
K ept trim, per red suit, white shirt, a red tie,
S taff, gender-neutral, a naval suit, tie,
T he shirts meant an opt--mines stayed pink or white.
H e completed Skyline High, uphill site,
E nrolled some Hayward college, Chabot's there.
B ellhop often nights and days rather ne'er.
E vanescent guy while he graces us,
L ikable persona, a combined plus.
L ife of the party sort-of-guy on work,
H otel perceived for stars, plus times, some jerk.
O pie--Ron Howard, filmed roughly one month,
P roffered Hollywood, that bellhop, his front.
L ifetime scores, Splash plus, Apollo 13,
I n collaboration, Tom transpired keen.
F rom Cher on Sidney Portier, Jackson Five,
E verly, Righteous Brothers, Supremes, live!
Date: 08/17/2019
Sanmati, my messenger, is no more a milksop.
Ardent though is she never will yawp.
Nagging sometimes though in some shop.
Merrily walks in crowd alone till atop.
Amends her needs; tackles one with strop-
Till he agrees with her, else does lop.
In always high spirits, ready to swop
Joy or sorrow equally treats like gumdrop.
Angry if treats us like a bellhop
In our home or out, but never plop
Nor cry in public to show us flop.
I can make my own money
To pay my own bills and buy my own clothes
I have friends and family for calling and hanging out with
We don't have to kick it and you don't have to call
Solitude is not my enemy
You don't have to love me
I don't need your love or anyone else's
Even if no one else loves me, the Lord has that covered
Don't need a chaffeur, a doorman, or a bellhop
Nor a chef, cop, or mechanic
Blankets and hot chocolate keep me warm
So don't get it twisted I don't NEED you for anything
I just like having you around
yeah, right
there where the flower blossoms
and flags
where mustangs rove the prairie
and two nebulas lose their
virginity in a cheap motel
room where you are an
unsaddled bellhop
flogging a dead
idea.
Check into the Hotel Pantomime
Hospitality cloaked; words a crime
Dressed with gestures, emotions to prime
Tap your bellhop, then gleefully toss him a dime
Forthwith, the receptionist summon with a curt bell chime
After checking in, dance through the lobby in double-time
Flag down the elevator operator with a nod sublime
Furrowed brow, nervously fidgeting each floor climb
Then spring from the elevator and down the hall serpentine
Reaching the room, cautiously open the door catching a stime
Brashly throw back the curtains it's noontime
Cheerfully grab a cup, stove kettle is whistling teatime
Quietly trapse through the corridors saluting guests inbetween time
At nine, chortle to restaurant, signal hostess to check your suppertime
Finished, hustle to your room; meticulously undress for bedtime
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