Week 4 Just the facts

At 4pm this past Friday, I was asked if I’d fly to Maryland and help open a new casino and I agreed. As of Monday afternoon, after training the new staff all morning, I still didn’t know where I was sleeping that night. Finally around 5pm, I was given directions to the motel I’d be living in for the week. I was told there was a pool and a Jacuzzi and that the rooms were nice and clean. Apparently these people were talking about the new Comfort Inn that had been recently built within the past couple years or on crack because when I opened the door to my room, I nearly screamed. Everything from the bedspread to the bathroom was disgusting; needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep.

Same story fancied up

Last Friday, my boss called me in the office to see if I’d like to go help out at one of our sister properties and train some of the new slot attendants on the ACSC system. Obviously I was excited and agreed immediately. I got my travel arrangements on Saturday and began packing for my adventure. I flew into Philadelphia and rented a car from Enterprise for the week. I drove straight to the casino in Perryville before even checking in at the hotel, so I could begin training immediately. When the work day was over, I entered directions to the Comfort Inn off exit 100 into the GPS unit and set out. Upon my arrival, I grabbed my bags and headed to the front desk. I handed over my credit card, got checked in, was given my room key and started looking for the elevator, there wasn’t one. This is strange I thought to myself, so I dragged my luggage up the stairs to my room and was I ever surprised. First impressions can be deceiving as I soon found out, because once I got looking around the room, my heart sank. Ever heard of the expression “lipstick on a pig”, well this was a prime example of that ole’ saying.

Same story off the leash

Late last week, at the drop of a hat, I was asked if I’d go save the day in Perryville, one of Penn’s new casinos and do some last minute training. Of course I said let me think about it and started pondering as to whether or not I should go. After much deliberation and umpteen phone calls, I got everything organized for me to comfortably leave town for a few days. I had an uneventful flight on the company jet; rented a new red sports car and headed toward Perryville to do some training. The weather was perfect and the staff was receptive; nothing could have ruined my day, nothing…until I drove to the hotel. Not only was the front desk person surly, I didn’t speak the language and the room I was given was atrocious! First thing I noticed was the stains on the bedspread, pubic hairs in the tub, phone and mini fridge didn’t work, and the adjoining room doors have any locks on them!!! When I asked for a new room, I was told there were none available and when I asked to have someone come and clean my tub, he said he’s send someone right up (he never did) The first night in my room, I ended up barricading the adjoining room door with the coffee table and chair. I set the coffee table on its side and slid the legs behind the entertainment center and set the chair in front of it. I tried sleeping with one eye open but my ears were so attuned to every little sound; getting any rest that night was out of the question. The next morning after no sleep and a much needed shower (I cleaned the tub with shampoo myself) no sooner did I find out the coffee maker had moldy stuff growing in the water reservoir and the freakin’ blow dryer didn’t work! I could foresee this was gonna be the week from hell.