Despite the vast interiors of the castle, it lacked a main lobby. The check-in desk was concealed at the end of a narrow, twisting corridor. She stepped quickly but could not keep with her new husband's pace. The humidity of the passageway released an odor of mold and mineral, like a murky riverbed. Roughly hewn stone walls snagged at her coat, attempting to detain her. She picked at the hole in her sleeve. The down filling did not escape because it was polyester. No wonder she had been so cold. “Chateau Esprit D’Escalier—does it mean anything?” she asked the desk clerk as he presented the room key in a small, red velvet pouch. “Madame, it is a clever response,” he explained, “that you realize only after the heat of an argument.” The guidebook had made no mention of the expression. Joe bent over to pick up the bags, dismissing a bellhop he didn’t feel compelled to tip. “The wit of the staircase,” he added. “Oui,” said the clerk, “a very long one, monsieur.” 2008-01-25T20:22:11Z http://ficlets.com/feed/story/16478 <p>Good setting for all sorts of things&#8230;</p> <p>But&#8230; the inspiration picture didn&#8217;t have much in the way of rough stone walls at all, and the architectural style doesn&#8217;t imply there&#8217;d be any on the inside.</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/16478?basename=36470 2008-01-25T20:22:11Z White Hat http://ficlets.com/authors/whitehat <p>Is this vacation as fake as her coat? ;)</p> http://ficlets.com/stories/16478?basename=31022 2007-12-30T03:37:35Z Mistress Elsha Hawk http://ficlets.com/authors/mistress_elsha_hawk