THE HOTEL ROOMHenderson sat in the lobby and read a newspaper and waited until his room was ready.
A number of people milled about, walking nervously back and forth, behavior that was not at all surprising due to the storm raging outside. Occasional gusts of wind seemed to shake the very foundations of the hotel, then there would be a lull and a collective sigh of relief floated around the room like a cloud. People looked at one another and coughed nervously, afraid to make eye contact. When people did engage in conversation, they did so in a muted way that seemed to suggest fear rather than timidity. It was all very unnerving, and Henderson wasn't quite sure what to make of such behavior.
“Sir?”
Henderson turned toward the man who stood in front of him, somewhat startled that he hadn't
