Forever Magazine Issue 41 by Vandana Singh

Author:Vandana Singh [Singh, Vandana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: magazine, novelette, novella, science fiction, science fiction magazine
Publisher: Wyrm Publishing
Published: 2018-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

Originally published in Asimov’s Science Fiction, March/April 2017.

Hotel

Suzanne Palmer

The man came across the red sands alone and on foot, the storm whipping at his back. He flailed his way through the dome lock with his one free hand, then stumbled through the inner seal and wide, wooden double doors to collapse to his knees on the old, worn carpeting. Still cradling a small case in his other hand, he unlocked the faceplate of his suit and took whooping, desperate breaths even as his eyes found the unimpressed gaze, neither welcoming nor otherwise, of the man who sat with his chin in his hands looking down at him from the ancient and dusty desk. “By all the gods, old and new, loved and feared, named and unnamed, and fierce Ares highest among them all,” the man on the floor said, “please, tell me you have a vacancy.”

The old man at the desk pushed his antique spectacles up his nose. “Do you have a reservation?”

“You take reservations?” the newcomer exclaimed.

The desk clerk sniffed. “No,” he said, that one word suggesting blame for that fact could be laid at the feet of the newcomer as easily as anywhere else. He flipped open a wide paper book, and after some consideration, looked again at the new arrival. “I may have a room available,” he said at last. “There is the matter of payment, and expected length of stay.”

The newcomer unclipped his helmet, took it off, and laid it carefully on the carpet. Laboriously he unbuckled his pack and set it beside the helmet, then held out the small case. Flipping the latches as he got to his feet, he opened it for the old man. On the couches behind them, the young girl with shockingly pink hair who had been trying desperately to act as if she was paying no attention craned her neck, but could not see inside.

The old man behind the desk raised one eyebrow. “How long do you plan on staying?”

“Four days,” the newcomer said, closing the case again and setting it down on the desk. “Perhaps only three, perhaps five, but no more nor less than that.”

“There are rules.”

“So I have been led to understand,” the man said. His suit began to make small snapping sounds as it adjusted to the change in temperature.

“No weapons. No exceptions. No modern tech beyond the lobby. If you have medical implants or other assistive devices, you must disclose them and potentially submit to having them examined. If you disturb the other guests unnecessarily you will be ejected, with or without prior warning depending on the offense, with no reimbursement for any remaining time. By that same token, the hotel is not responsible for any damages to your person, your dignity, or any possessions not in our direct safe-keeping inflicted by other guests, especially if you work for the government.”

“Which government?”

“Any government.”

“Agreed.”

“Hotel staff exist for my convenience, not yours.”

“Agreed.”

“And no parties.”

The man raised his two arms, empty hands outstretched to either side, as if to emphasize that he had come alone.

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