One Room, Five Keys

Last week I regaled you with a couple of stories from my time at a conference. This week, I am going to finish that story.

The first day went really smoothly. When I checked in they gave me two room keys. I kind of laughed because it was just going to be me in my room, but I shrugged it off. After dragging my suitcases to my room, I freshened up and headed off to the luncheon.

After the luncheon, I went back up to my room for a few minutes before heading back down to attend class. Every single time I remembered my room key. I even went back to my room to get ready for dinner and then back down again.

Fast forward to the next day. I woke up excited to attend the classes that were scheduled throughout the day. Making sure I had my bag, money, tablet and so on I headed down stairs. I met up with Emily and we visited a few minutes at breakfast before our first class started.

About halfway through my second cup of coffee and mid-way through a class I realized that I had left both card keys in my room. After eating lunch, we had about 30 minutes before our next class. “I’m going to the front desk to get a new key.” I explained to Emily while laughing.

I walked up to the front desk and explained my predicament. Honestly, I am sure it happens a lot. The desk clerk was very sweet and quickly programmed two new key cards before handing them over with a smile. I thanked her and headed up to my room to call Aaron and visit before going back.

After talking to Aaron for a few minutes, I headed back down to class, ready to tackle a few more seminars.

I made it about 15 minutes into the next class when I realized that I had left my two new key cards on the bed in my room. It took everything I had in me not to smack my hand to my forehead.

Leaning over to Emily, I whispered, “I forgot my key again.”

She quietly snickered at me as I rolled my eyes.

After our last class for the day, we decided to head down to the swimming pool. “I’ll meet y’all there… after I get another key.” I stated while shaking my head in disbelief.

Laughing we parted ways. I walked back to the front desk, slightly embarrassed at my predicament. I explained my forgetfulness to a different desk clerk. She smiled, while assuring me it was not a problem and made another key card. This time they only gave me the one copy.

I’m half wondering if they were keeping a tally on me at this point.

I hurried back to my room and quickly changed into my swimsuit, making sure to grab my key card this time. I even double-checked before closing the door behind me.

I called Aaron on the way to the swimming pool. “You aren’t going to believe what I managed to do this afternoon.” I stated. “Well, actually you probably will believe it.”

He laughed as I relayed the story to him. “Did you remember your key this time?” He asked.

I assured him that I did have it in my possession, while trying to not re-check my bag to reassure myself that I did indeed have it.

It was a great afternoon. We spent a little time floating in the pool before deciding it was time to head into town and get dinner.

Emily, Jenna and I were on the same floor and we discussed our dinner plans as we rode up on the elevator. I stopped in front of my room, sliding my key card out of my bag. “Text me when y’all are ready to head down.” I said as Emily and Jenna continued on to their room.

I held my key card in front of the card reader on my door, waiting for the green light that would grant me access to my room. It did absolutely nothing. I readjusted my hold on the card, thinking that maybe I was blocking some signal that it needed to open. Flashing it back in front of the door, I waited again. Nothing.

Now, just so you know, I am standing in the hallway in my wet swimsuit. I glare at the door, wiggle the card in front of the scanner again and still nothing. Amazingly enough, the glare and card wiggling had no effect.

I tried one more time before the cold realization hit me. Every time they programmed a new key card, they canceled my old one and since I didn’t think about it before leaving the room, I grabbed one of the old cards.

Sighing inwardly, I wrapped my towel around me and headed back downstairs and to the front desk that I was getting very familiar with.

Thankfully, there was another new face at the desk again. I don’t know that I could have handled the embarrassment if it had been the same person every time. In fact, I’m wondering at what point they stop issuing key cards and just have someone escort you to your room every time you need in.

Smiling, she reprogrammed my key card and handed it back over to me. I hustled back to my room, where I set my lone good key card on the desk and grabbed the other rejects and put them in one pile.

The next morning on my way to class, I returned the four discontinued cards so someone far more responsible than me could use them or at the very least, eliminate them from the random choices of possible cards that may or may not get me in to my room.

Oh, and by the way, I did manage to make it the rest of the week without having to have another card programmed.

Rowonna McNeely works as the Communications Manager for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Aaron are regular volunteers in the community, and have their hands full with their daughter, Kiera, along with three dogs and one cat.

Thank you for sharing in our weekly journeys. If you have missed any of our past stories, check out our blog page at www.lifea2k.net or drop us a line at lifea2k@yahoo.com.