Munroe Island

Chapter 9

Appollo followed the man, and was soon seated at a table.

"I'm sorry for startling you sir. Good morning, I'm Basil. What would you like to have for breakfast?"

"It's OK.. Uhm.. I'd like some buttered toast, fried eggs, sausages and some coffee please."

"Right sir. Let me bring you your order.",saying so Basil left.

Appollo looked around. It didn't seem like to have been built for a restaurant. It looked more like it had been a hiding place, adjusted to look like a restaurant.

This can easily pass off as a set for a horror movie, he muttered. Who would design such a depressing place for eating.

There were hardly three tables in the room. It was then Appollo noticed there was nobody else around.

Twenty minutes later, Basil appeared with his food,and place it on his table.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting sir."

"It's all right. I know it takes time to cook." he smiled, and started eating.

"Is there nobody else staying here Basil? I haven't seen anyone around since I've arrived. "

"No sir. Actually you are the first guest in three months."

Appollo looked at him.

"What? Why? I've heard Zen is a picturesque tourist place. No tourists? And why does your owner still keep this open then? Are you paid if there are no guests to serve?"

Basil smiled.

"Woah slow down. That's too many questions in one go!"

"I'm sorry. I was just... Shocked..", Appollo said appologetically.

"It's OK sir. Now let me try to answer your questions."

"Sit with me Basil. There's nobody around, and I really don't mind. The ambience here is already kind of depressing, and I would appreciate some company now. Would you like to share breakfast?"

"That's really kind of you sir, but I refuse.", Basil said and sat opposite to Appollo.

"What you heard about Zen is absolutely correct sir. It's a very beautiful place, and it WAS a tourist spot, till some thirty five years ago.

"This building was actually the home of the Leos's family. Winston's father, Lucas.."

"Wait. Winston is the owner of this place? He introduced himself as the manager? "

"Yes sir, he is. As I mentioned earlier, there aren't a lot of guests here. So there is no need for keeping someone as a manager. I actually work at Winston's House, and occasionally when there are guests here, myself and a cook come over."

"Oh. That's nice. But how does he make money out of this alone?"

"Oh no sir. Winston has some other business as well elsewhere. He keeps this open keeping in mind the occasional tourist, like you sir, who may by chance want to visit our town."

"That's thoughtful of him."

Basil smiled.

"Yes sir. He's a considerate man. So as I was saying, this was the family home of the Leos'. It was built somewhere around the 18th century, and this room," he gestured around, "was used as a hideout during the wars. That was some generations back. Then it wasn't of much use, until the motel was started.

"When Winston's father, Lucas Leos shifted to Delphis with his wife, he converted this house to a motel. Business was good initially. It was then...", Basil stopped.

"What happened?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not supposed to speak about it. Just know that, whatever happened changed the lives of the people of Zen forever. Nothing has been the same since. Please finish your breakfast sir."

Basil left, leaving Appollo to ponder over his words.