Chapter Text
Tom's life was anything but exciting. He spent most of his days fixing old machines and doing odd jobs to make some extra cash during the summer. However, his talent for tinkering with any machine and fixing it quickly had earned him quite a reputation.
People around the area would often call him to fix their machines, but when he received a mysterious call from a faraway hotel on the coast side, Tom was intrigued. Had his name spread so quickly? He had only started taking these odd jobs last summer, and none of the requests had been as strange as this one.
The voice on the other end of the line informed him that they needed someone to fix a broken jukebox, and they could only rely on Tom to get the job done.
Tom received an offer he couldn't refuse - a few days' free stay at a hotel in exchange for fixing their old machines. It turned out that the hotel was filled with retro decor, but sadly many of the machines were in need of some serious TLC.
It was peculiar, but nonetheless, he took it, excited to take the job. He had always loved tinkering with old machines and fixing them up. Plus, the thought of spending some time in a hotel sounded like a nice change of pace from his usual routine.
Without hesitation, Tom packed his suitcase and gathered all of his tools. He couldn't forget his beloved books either, as he always enjoyed learning new things and expanding his knowledge. His mother kindly offered to drive him to the hotel, knowing it would be quicker than taking public transport.
As they set off on their journey, Tom couldn't help but feel excited about the prospect of fixing up the old machines. He had a passion for science, particularly science fiction, and although some people called him a nerd, he didn't mind. Learning new things and exploring the unknown was what drove him, and he would never give up on his interests.
The journey to the hotel was a tiresome one. Tom fell asleep in the car and only woke up once they arrived. It had been a long and exhausting drive, covering a distance of about 400 kilometers. The journey felt even longer than they had both anticipated.
It had taken them a grueling six hours to reach their destination, with several stops along the way as Tom's mom couldn't focus on the road for too long. When they finally arrived at the hotel, she was so exhausted that she decided to stay for just one night and head back home the next day. Unfortunately, she had to return to work on Monday, so she couldn't stay any longer.
For Tom, it was a stroke of luck that he was on summer break and could enjoy a "vacation" of sorts, although he didn't usually venture far from home. He was content tinkering with his scientific experiments, conducting weird tests, and fixing machines that had gone wrong. He was determined to get it right someday.
Tom and his mother entered the hotel, the revolving door spun them into a grand lobby. Tom's eyes widened as he took in the retro décor of the space. It was like stepping back in time to the 1920s. He noticed several round couches placed around the lobby, each covered in a plush, red-purple velvet material that begged to be sat upon. The curtains that hung from the windows were also the same color, adding to the luxurious atmosphere.
As Tom approached the front desk, he couldn't help but glance toward the back of the lobby where a cozy room beckoned. The warm glow of dim lights revealed a bar with several people sitting at tables, sipping drinks and chatting. Tom made a mental note to check it out later.
Just then, they were greeted by a joyous dark-haired woman, wearing a red uniform and looking more than happy to welcome them to the hotel.
"Hello! Welcome to Hotel 13! How can I help you today!" The woman, whose nametag was spelled 'Ruth', said as she gave them the warmest smile, seemingly genuinely happy to see new faces.
"Hi, uh, I'm Tom, I was here to fix the jukebox in exchange for a stay at the hotel..." Tom said, hesitantly, as if he was afraid they wouldn't know he was coming.
"Ahh! Yes! Yes! I remember the boss mentioning your arrival! We reserved room 11 for you!" Ruth exclaimed with a look of recognition as she took the room keys from behind the desk. It made the hotel seem even more old school, with actual keys to get into a room. Who would've thought, Tom thought to himself.
"Now, if you just sign here, and leave your credit card number behind, don't worry, we won't take anything off, it's just for precaution," Ruth explained.
Tom didn't have his own credit card yet, so his mom put it on her name, which was fine too. Tom only had to show his ID to confirm that he is, in fact, the guy that they hired.
"Great, everything seems to be in order! Here are your room keys. Room 11 is on the second floor. Enjoy your stay!" Ruth said with a smile as she handed the keys over to Tom's mother.
"Thank you so much!" Tom's mother replied, grateful for the warm welcome. The both of them grabbed their suitcases, and headed towards the direction Ruth was pointing them to.
Tom took a chance to glance around once again, noticing all the fine details of the lobby. The retro decor of the hotel was truly fascinating. The old-style lamps that lined the walls gave off a warm, cozy glow, while the pictures of the beach that hung up around the lobby added a touch of nostalgia. The white carpet beneath their feet was soft and plush, and it complemented the overall luxurious atmosphere of the lobby.
Tom felt like he had stepped back in time, to a more elegant era. The attention to detail in the lobby was impressive, and it made him excited to see what the rest of the hotel had to offer. As they made their way to the stairs, Tom couldn't help but feel grateful for this unique experience.
It wasn't long before they found their hotel room, as they made their way in, they couldn't help but notice the continued old-fashioned theme. The door to the room was a classic wooden door with a brass doorknob, giving a sense of privacy and seclusion.
The hotel room was a mix of old and new elements, with a distinct maritime theme. The wallpaper featured a wave pattern, reminiscent of the ocean, and the room was decorated in shades of blue and white, creating a calming atmosphere
A plush, patterned rug lay on the floor, adding warmth to the room, and a comfortable armchair was placed nearby. A vintage-style white desk and a wooden wardrobe, with ornate details, were placed against the wall.
The decor included several nautical touches, such as a sculpture of fishes and seashells placed on a shelf. A painting of a beach scene hung above the bed, almost like it was bringing the outside in.
The bed was made up with crisp white sheets and fluffy pillows, making it look incredibly inviting. Overall, the room was a perfect mix of vintage and modern elements, creating a cozy and relaxing ambiance that he was sure to enjoy during his stay at the hotel. He couldn't wait to discover even more of it.
As Tom was taking in the details of the room, his mom began to unpack his suitcase. But he quickly put a stop to it by holding up his hands and saying, "No, no, no, mom, it's fine, I can do it."
His mom paused and looked at him, "Alright, I just wanted to make sure you get everything sorted. I don't want you to do everything yourself," she said with a hint of concern in her voice.
Tom assured her, "I appreciate it, but I want to take a look around the room first and get a feel for the place." He walked over to the closet and started unpacking his clothes, hanging them neatly on the hangers.
As his mom finished unpacking her own suitcase, she turned to Tom and said, "Well, I'm going to head down to the bar and grab a drink. You coming?"
Tom shook his head, "No, I think I'm going to stay up here and unpack for a bit. I'll come down later."
His mom gave him a smile and a pat on the back before grabbing her purse and heading out of the room. As Tom continued unpacking, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of deja vu. It was as if he had been in this hotel room before, even though he knew that wasn't possible.
He walked over to the window and gazed out at the view of the beach below. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore in the distance brought him back to reality. Tom took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling of unease. Maybe it was just the retro decor of the hotel that was giving him that sense of familiarity.
He decided to focus on unpacking and getting settled in. Tom pulled out his laptop and set it up on the desk, taking a moment to admire the vintage style of the furniture. He was surprised to find that the desk had a drawer filled with stationery and a pen. He smiled to himself, knowing he would definitely be using that to write some letters later.
Tom finished unpacking and decided to take a quick shower before heading down to the bar to join his mom. As he stepped into the bathroom, he noticed the tiles on the wall were also decorated with waves, adding to the overall ocean theme of the room. He turned on the shower and let the warm water wash over him, grateful for the modern amenities that coexisted so well with the retro decor.
Feeling refreshed and ready to explore the hotel, Tom got dressed and made his way down to the bar. As he walked through the lobby, he couldn't help but admire the intricate details of the furniture and decor, feeling like he was in a different time period altogether.
As he was headed to the bar, lost in his thoughts, he heard a familiar voice calling his name. "Tom! Hi there!" Ruth exclaimed, making her way over to him with a smile on her face.
"Hi! Uhh... Ruth, how are you?" he greeted her with a smile.
"I'm good, thank you for asking," Ruth replied, returning the smile. "I wanted to let you know that the owner of the hotel would like to speak with you about the repairs you're doing. He's been eagerly waiting for your arrival."
Tom's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Really? That's great. Where can I find him?"
"He's usually in his office in the back of the hotel. Here, let me show you," Ruth said, leading the way. Tom followed her, his eyes still darting around the lobby, still taking in the intricate details and the old-fashioned charm of the place.
As they reached the door by the front desk, Ruth pointed to the right. "It's immediately on your right, you can't miss it!" she explained.
"Alright, thanks for letting me know," Tom spoke, before turning to head towards the office.
"Good luck with the repairs!" Ruth called out after him. Tom turned back and gave her a smile and a nod of thanks before disappearing behind the door.
As Tom entered the office, he was met with a rather small, bald man wearing a formal suit. The man looked up and greeted Tom with a smile, but there was something about his demeanor that put Tom on edge. He had a rather intimidating presence, but when he spoke, his voice was warm and friendly. "Ah, you must be Tom! I'm Richard Leopold, the owner of the hotel. Welcome!"
Tom shook his hand, feeling a bit uneasy but trying his best to appear relaxed. "Thanks for having me. It's a pleasure to be here," he replied.
Leopold motioned for Tom to take a seat across from him. "So, I understand you'll be working on the repairs for our vintage jukebox?" he asked.
Tom nodded. "Yes, that's correct. I'm happy to get started on it right away."
"Excellent," Leopold said with a smile. "I've been eager to get it up and running again. It's a prized possession of ours."
Tom couldn't help but notice that something seemed a little off about Leopold. Maybe it was the way he spoke or the way he looked at him, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this man than met the eye. Nonetheless, he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and focused on the task at hand. "I'll make sure to take good care of it," he said.
Leopold nodded. "I have no doubt about that, Tom. Now, let's get you settled in and working on that jukebox. We have a lot of guests who have been eagerly waiting for it to be fixed."
With that, Tom stood up and followed Leopold out of the office, still feeling a bit wary but determined to do a good job. He was going to fix that damn jukebox.