Charlie Goes Beyond His Job Description

Not Charlie, but I bet it’s close.

So the other day I had an interesting conversation with an old guy who worked at a hotel. How could this possibly be interesting, you ask? Are you underestimating me? How dare you? Read on . . .

A few days ago I called and made reservations at a little hotel on the island of Ocracoke here on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My plan was to travel from Oak Island up to Kill Devil Hills using the ferries that connect the islands. I was going to spend the night in Ocracoke with Sparky, then head on up to Hatteras and beyond the next day.

Anyway, my plans changed at the last minute because of a concert I wanted to go to in Manteo, so I had to get here a day early. Because of this I needed to traverse the inland route, which is actually shorter but infinitely more boring. It was when I called the little local hotel (I changed the name below) to cancel my reservation when things got interesting. Here’s how it went down:

R-i-i-i-i-i-n-g! 

“Hello, Blue Surf Hotel. Charlie speaking.”

“Hey Charlie. This is Dave Shoemaker. I made reservations for Thursday night but I need to cancel. Something’s come up.”

Note: I could have said I had an emergency but I never tempt fate, which may have then handed me an actual emergency just for spite. Fate can be a real bitch. Anyway . . .

“Sorry old buddy, but cancellations have to made 7-days in advance. I know it’s a pain in the butt but the owners here are really strict about it.”

It was apparent to me I was talking to an older gentleman, as he had a raspy, deep voice with a slow southern drawl. Dude sounded exactly like I’d expect Old Man River to sound. Anywho . . .

“Seven days? I just made reservations yesterday! That makes no sense.”

“I know, I know. They make no exceptions though. Very strict folks. I’m very sorry.”

At this point I’d just kissed $155.79 goodbye since they had my credit card number and all. But then . . .

“Why don’t you reschedule, old buddy? Maybe sometime in August?”

“Not sure why I’d do that, Charlie. I’ll be long gone by then. That would do me no good at all.”

“You sure? You could reschedule ya know.”

Now I’m a little exasperated.

“Charlie, don’t you get it? I won’t be anywhere near Ocracoke on August 15th. I don’t want to reschedule.”

“Well, I’d think about rescheduling anyway, for say, August 15th. Then if something comes up you could cancel. You know, as long as you did it at least 7-days in advance.”

Realization . . . slowly . . . sinks  . . . in. My skull is a little thick, ya know.

“You know, Charlie, that’s a good idea. I  think I will reschedule. Let’s say August 15th.”

And so I did.

Sometimes it’s not only good to go beyond your job description and against what your employers may expect of you, but it can also be the right thing to do.

Thanks Charlie.

Note to self: Cancel reservations for Blue Surf Hotel no later than August 7th.