Concierge Watson sneers at a smelly traveler and refuses him a room at the luxury Grand Lumière Hotel. When the traveler returns looking dapper, Watson realizes his mistake could cost him more than just his job.
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Rain pelted the windows of the Grand Lumière Hotel, but that didn’t stop the lobby’s chandeliers from gleaming. The opulent atmosphere could never be overshadowed by the weather.
The hotel’s concierge, Mr. Watson, stood ramrod straight behind the polished marble reception desk.
His keen eyes scanned the lobby, ensuring every detail met the exacting standards of the five-star establishment. Nothing was out of place… until…
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The doors swung open, letting in a gust of wind and a few pelts of rain into the hardwood floors. But it was the bedraggled figure that made Mr. Watson wrinkle his nose.
A man stumbled toward the desk, leaving muddy footprints in his wake.
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His clothes were soaked through and hung limply from his frame. His scraggly beard as well as the stench of wet dog and stale cigarettes told the concierge that he hadn’t washed in days.
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Mr. Watson’s nose wrinkled further. “May I help you?” he asked in a clipped and cold tone.
The man looked up. “Please,” he croaked weakly, “I need a room for the night. My car broke down a few miles back, and I’ve been walking in this downpour for hours.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible, sir,” Mr. Watson shook his head. “We have no vacancies at the moment.”
“But surely there must be something. I can pay whatever the rate is. I just need a place to sleep and dry off.”
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“As I said,” Mr. Watson repeated, his lip curling, “we have no rooms available for someone in your… condition. Perhaps you might try the motel down by the highway. I’m sure their standards would be more… accommodating.”
The man’s face fell and his shoulders slumped. But for a small second, anger flashed in his eyes. “I see,” he said quietly. “Thank you for your time.”
He turned and trudged back toward the doors.
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Mr. Watson watched him go, then called for a bellhop. “Call maintenance to clean this up,” he ordered, gesturing to the muddy footprints. “We can’t have the lobby looking like a pigsty.”
As the young bellhop hurried to comply, Mr. Watson smiled, satisfied about keeping that dirty man away from his hotel.
But his actions would soon come back to haunt him.
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***
An hour later, the lobby doors swung open once more. Mr. Watson looked up, ready to greet another guest with his practiced smile.
To his surprise, a well-dressed man strode confidently toward the desk. His suit was impeccably tailored, his shoes shone with a mirror-like gleam, and his salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed.
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It took Mr. Watson a moment to recognize the face beneath the expertly trimmed beard. His eyes widened in shock as he realized it was the same man he had turned away earlier.
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The man approached the desk with a slight smile playing on his lips. “Good evening,” he said smoothly. “I’d like a room for the night, please.”
Mr. Watson swallowed hard. “Of course, sir,” he managed to say. “May I ask what happened to… your previous attire?”
“Ah, yes,” the man chuckled. “I found a truck stop down the road with showers and a small clothing shop. Amazing what a little soap and a clean suit can do, isn’t it?”
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Mr. Watson nodded stiffly, looking away, and tapped at his computer in search of an available room. “We have a standard room on the third floor,” he said.
“That will do nicely,” the man replied.
As Mr. Watson processed the reservation, he couldn’t help but add, “I must say, sir, you clean up rather well. It’s like night and day.”
“Yes, well, appearances can be deceiving, can’t they?”
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Mr. Watson handed over the key card and nodded, pursing his lips. “Indeed they can. Enjoy your stay, Mr…?”
“Bloomington,” the man supplied. “Thank you, I’m sure I will.”
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Mr. Bloomington walked away, and Mr. Watson watched. There was a tightening in his chest that he couldn’t explain… as if he had made a mistake.
But he wouldn’t apologize. His job was to maintain the cleanliness, prestige, and reputation of the hotel, so all their clients had to, at least, look the part.
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Still, throughout Mr. Bloomington’s stay, Mr. Watson went out of his way to avoid the man. When forced to interact, he was curt and dismissive.
On the third day of Mr. Bloomington’s stay, Mr. Watson was overseeing the breakfast service in the hotel’s elegant dining room.
He moved from table to table to ensure each guest was satisfied with their meal and experience. As he approached Mr. Bloomington’s table, he overheard a conversation that made his blood run cold.
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“Yes, that’s right,” Mr. Bloomington was saying into his phone. “I’ve been here for three days now, observing operations incognito. I think I’ve seen enough to make some necessary changes.”
Mr. Watson froze. Incognito? Changes? Who exactly was this Mr. Bloomington?
As if sensing his presence, Mr. Bloomington looked up and met Mr. Watson’s shocked gaze. He smiled, but there was no warmth in his eyes.
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“Ah, Mr. Watson,” he said smoothly. “Just the man I wanted to see. Would you join me for a moment?”
His heart began racing at the request. It was said with such authority that the tightening in his chest happened, and a hint of intuition hit his thoughts.
Was Mr. Bloomington more important than the concierge imagined?
Numbly, Mr. Watson sank into the chair across from Mr. Bloomington. The man leaned forward and started speaking in a low but firm voice.
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“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced,” he said. “My first name is Charles, but you can keep calling me Mr. Bloomington. I recently acquired this hotel chain, and I’ve been visiting each property to assess their operations firsthand.”
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The color drained from Mr. Watson’s face as the full impact of his actions over the past few days hit him. “You’re… you’re the new owner?” he stammered.
Mr. Bloomington nodded gravely. “That’s correct, and the CEO. And I must say, Mr. Watson, I’ve been less than impressed with what I’ve observed here, particularly concerning your treatment of guests you deem… unworthy.”
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Mr. Watson opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out. He sat there, fish-mouthed and pale, as Mr. Bloomington continued.
“A hotel’s primary function is to provide hospitality to all its guests, regardless of their appearance or circumstances. Your behavior has been not only unprofessional but cruel. Is this really the image we want to project to our clientele?”
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“No, sir,” Mr. Watson whispered, chastened. “It’s not.”
The new CEO stood and nodded to the side. “Follow me.”
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***
Minutes later, Mr. Watson stood in Mr. Bloomington’s new temporary office, which was formerly the hotel manager’s space.
The CEO sat behind the desk, and his fingers drummed against the polished, sleek hardwood surface.
“Mr. Watson,” he began, “I hope you understand the gravity of your actions. This hotel has always prided itself on providing exceptional service to all our guests. Your behavior over the past few days has fallen far short of that standard.”
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Mr. Watson nodded, but couldn’t speak. He was ready for the inevitable: losing his job, which he’d held for over 15 years.
“I’m glad you recognize that. Now, the question is, what are we going to do about it?”
“Sir?” Mr. Watson looked up, surprised.
“I believe in second chances, Mr. Watson. More importantly, I believe this experience can be a valuable lesson not just for you, but for our entire staff. Are you willing to learn from this and help implement changes to ensure it never happens again?”
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“Yes, sir,” Mr. Watson said, breathless as relief flooded through him. “Absolutely. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right.”
“Good.,” the new CEO nodded. “Then here’s what we’re going to do…”
Over the next few weeks, the Grand Lumière Hotel transformed. New policies were put in place that required equal treatment for all guests, regardless of appearance.
If they could pay, they could have a room.
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Hoping to prove his worth, Mr. Watson developed a training program to help staff recognize and overcome their biases.
Furthermore, to work on himself, the concierge began volunteering at a local homeless shelter.
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Slowly but surely, the atmosphere in the hotel began to change. Guests from all walks of life were welcomed with genuine warmth and respect.
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The staff worked together more cohesively since their workplace no longer seemed to value certain people over others.
But Mr. Watson’s new outlook on his job was yet to be tested.
***
One rainy evening, much like the night that had started it all, the concierge stood at his familiar post behind the reception desk.
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The doors swung open, and a bedraggled traveler entered, seeking shelter from the storm.
For a second, Mr. Watson’s old instincts surfaced, but he schooled himself and adopted a warm smile. “Welcome to the Grand Lumière,” he said kindly. “How may we assist you this evening?”
As he helped the grateful guest check in, Mr. Watson caught Mr. Bloomington’s eye across the lobby.
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The CEO nodded approvingly.
Mr. Watson let out a small sigh and continued working. Times had changed at the Grand Lumière Hotel, and he was glad not to have wasted his second chance.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Owners of Some of the Most Extravagant Private Jets in the World
Celebrities are used to living extravagant lifestyles that are far above the means of the typical person. The appeal of money is stronger than ever, from lavish homes to expensive cars. While driving a fancy automobile is one thing, owning a private plane is the ultimate status symbol for any high-profile star.These multi-million dollar flying machines are an investment that allows the world’s elite to travel easily from one location to another, not just a means of transportation. From the multi-talented power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway, these well-known figures are experts in the art of chic travel.Not only do the biggest names in the business buy these planes, but they also spend a lot of money furnishing the interiors to suit their every requirement, from full conference rooms to plasma TVs. Even while some celebrities choose to rent a plane rather than own one completely, they are still reaching heights that are beyond the reach of most of us.These are a few of the most well-known owners of private planes.
Celine Dion
Renowned for her taste in finery, Celine Dion takes advantage of opulent vacations that are appropriate for the recognized diva that she is. The gifted singer chooses to travel alone on her own Bombardier BD 700 Global Express rather than using a commercial flight to allow room for her entourage.Her attendants can make gourmet meals while she flies from one sold-out concert to another thanks to this luxurious aircraft’s many bathrooms and fully functional kitchen. The $42-million-dollar jet was also frequently used by Celine’s late husband and their kids for family getaways.In addition to her widespread celebrity, Celine Dion is a committed businesswoman who works virtually nonstop. She needs to rest and unwind, and having a private jet makes it easier to create a tranquil atmosphere that promotes good sleep, which is a luxury that is hard to come by when dealing with disruptions like wailing babies in the back seats of commercial aircraft.
Kylie Jenner
While most 23-year-olds work to build financial stability throughout their post-college transition, Kylie Jenner is in a class by herself. Invested an astounding $73 million carelessly on a Bombardier Global 7500. Her aircraft, known as “Kylie Air,” is a sumptuous example of luxury. Equipped with a pink lighting design and able to hold ten passengers.It has a flat-screen TV, a full-size double bed for afternoon naps, and a host of opulent features that match the high price. Jenner has an impressive net worth of $900 million, thus the investment is within her means.In addition to its opulent amenities, Kylie uses her jet to strategically promote her well-known Kylie Cosmetics line. The brand’s identity is reflected in every element of the aircraft, including the TVs and seats. incorporating the core of Kylie’s enterprise with ease. It serves as a great way to promote a company in addition to being a symbol of luxury. E, personifying all that is associated with the image of Kylie Jenner.
Lionel and Sofia Richie
The well-known performer and popular song writer Lionel Richie has experienced his share of exuberant moments. even though they’re now somewhat behind him. The father of Sofia Richie, who enjoys private travel just as much as her father, the Richie family enjoys taking luxurious Gulfstream flights. a preferred option for many A-list celebs.Lionel’s Gulfstream G550 serves the family’s varied travel requirements and is used for both work and pleasure. Sofia has had the honor of flying in multiple private planes, even if she hasn’t attained the same status as her father in terms of owning one. She most likely gained these experiences and exposure to an opulent lifestyle through her relationship with Scott Disick, whom she dated for a few years.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
The rise of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson from impoverished origins to a wildly prosperous profession is the stuff of legends. After his football career ended, he had only $7 in his pocket when he started his successful career as a professional wrestler and landing leading parts in many successful blockbuster movies. accumulating a fortune that currently exceeds $240 million.The Johnson family enjoys traveling in their own $65 million Gulfstream G650. It may not have as much room as some other private jets, but it still meets all of The Rock’s needs for travel and business. The former WWE star takes advantage of the aircraft frequently. which has an elegant table ideal for conducting business and lots of seats.Interestingly, Dwayne has been spotted changing his daughter’s diaper on the aircraft’s leather seats. a display of his commitment to being a family man. This grounded approach demonstrates that he cherishes family time whether they are spent on land or in midair. utilizing his jet in a manner that honors his commitment and sense of duty.
Taylor Swift
Even though she was relatively new to the world of superstars, Taylor Swift made a big investment in 2011 when she bought a $40 million Dassault-Breguet Mystere Falcon 900. She not only purchased the airplane, but she also added her lucky number thirteen to make it uniquely hers.Swift uses her plane, which has 12 seats and lots of storage space, to traverse the world for her intense stadium shows. In order to make the journey feel cozy, Taylor makes sure there’s a ton of fresh food and flowers on board.Taylor is well-known for her generosity, especially toward her close group of friends, the “girl squad,” and it’s likely that she frequently lets her pals use her jet. Many anecdotes about the lives of some of the most well-known ladies in the world may be stored in the opulent leather seats of the aircraft. Should just they be able to communicate.
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