had met in a mountaineering club. They had these cute little flags made up with inspirational words on them like “made it to the summit,” “top peak,” and “explore.” A good few of these made their way onto Luiz’s brush and into his pan and into the trash before he went to fill up the bucket with hot water and began the mopping clean.

Once he’d finished the mopping he’d go and have his little flirtatious chat with Mary the receptionist. He could have maybe made a life with her but he’d been a drinker and no matter which way he turned King Booze always claimed the throne leaving no room for any fulfilling relationship. She knew it and he knew it but they each allowed some time for gossip and chat about the guests each afternoon.