His shift started in late afternoon and stretched through midnight. Each evening, he prepared the check-in desk, sorted reservation requests, and handled small complaints. The work wasn’t glamorous, but it kept him tethered to the place he had always called home.
Mike found comfort in the hotel’s slow rhythms. He listened to the hum of conversation echo in the lobby, the jingling keys, and the hiss of the coffee machine. Despite his longing for excitement, he felt a subtle gratitude for his stable job and friendly coworkers.