sid | The 'look' meme

Stolen from all over my rlist: The game is to find the word “look” in your current work in progress, and post an excerpt from that section of the manuscript.

Jack set his duffle bag down. "Got two rooms for us?"

The clerk frowned and consulted the register, then turned to check the array of numbered hooks and corresponding keys on the wall behind him. "I'm afraid we don't. We had a family that came in and took three rooms, and we have two reserved by regulars that'll be coming in on the evening train. We've already received a confirmation telegram, which we don't insist on, but…and looks like our last two-bed room was taken while I was on my dinner break. We do have one room left, with a full size bed, if you don't mind sharing."

Jack tapped his fingers on the counter and turned to look at Daniel. "Well, I already know your snoring won't keep me awake. Do you kick in your sleep?"

Daniel raised his eyebrows and hoped he wasn't visibly flushing. "How would I know?"

The clerk laughed behind his hand. "It's a nice, comfortable room, gents. Or, if you'd like, I can call around to a couple of boarding houses and see if they can set you up. Is it just for the one night, or are you staying in town?"

"Just for the night. Daniel?"

What to say? "Anywhere there's a bathtub, a decent mattress and a genuine pillow is fine with me." It was the truth. The nonchalant shrug was less truthful. Daniel wasn't quite sure just what he hoped Jack would decide.

Jack lifted his shoulders in turn, and the corners of his mouth turned up as well. "Can this establishment meet my friend's requirements?"

"Yes, sir," the clerk said smartly, spinning the register around and offering a fountain pen. "You'll find bathrooms at either end of the hall, with plenty of soap and towels. No extra charge."

Jack signed the register with a flourish. "What's the damage?"

"Three dollars due at check-out."

"At check-out," Jack said with a nod, leaning against the counter and smiling amiably. He pulled a half dollar from his pocket and twirled it between his fingers. "Hot, dusty day for travelling. I'm downright parched. What's a thirsty man do in this town?" He laid the coin delicately on the counter.

Daniel stared, wide-eyed.

The clerk licked his lips. "If you gents like chop suey, you can get a great meal at Wen Chai's, about five blocks from here."

"I love chop suey." Jack edged the coin towards the clerk.

"It can get crowded in the restaurant, them being real popular, so they built an extra dining room downstairs." The clerk placed his fingertips on the coin and smiled at first Daniel, then Jack. "Go right to 4th Street, then right for another block and a half. Just tell them Lon sent you, and they'll give you a good table downstairs."

"Thanks, Lon." Jack released the fifty-cent piece and it disappeared into Lon's pocket in a flash.