Hotel Greed Grab and Grumble: Hollywood

By Omoyemi O. A Ojo

Hotel Major is a flashy hotel where everyone who is considered 'someone' goes, to see and be seen.It is a hotspot for those wealthy individuals who live extravagant lifestyles with extraordinary tastes. These individuals demand the best of services even sometimes when such demands go beyond logic to the layman.

Top politicians and businessmen worldwide have graced its grounds and have come to call it home because of the excellent services often rendered, especially privacy thereby putting her on the top ten list or thereabout worldwide.

At Hotel Major, there is a hierarchical division amongst the staff. Some of who believe because they wear "power suits" and receive handout designer labels, oftentimes gifts from celebrities, they are better than the other staff. Such arrogance often stemming from a false sense of security whereby such staff believe their status has been elevated because they are "mingling" with the rich and famous and are on their way up in what is considered the "industry" and the Hollywood crowd. Not only that, greed, hypocrisy and sex scandals abound in this close knit "family" but are always swept under the carpet.

Like any hotel, the Hotel Major has had its fair share of scandals which are kept under wraps so much so that if such scandals were even linked to the hotel, the Public Relations personnel were quick to dispel such rumours by saying: "Not here, we are not aware of such a thing"! This has helped earn the hotel a very high return rate because of its "upper stiff lip" and "zipped mouth".

"What happens at the Hotel Major, stays at the Hotel Major, or does it"?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Omoyemi O. A Ojo
• Release date: Oct 31, 2012
• ISBN: 9780988417502

Omoyemi O. A Ojo

Omoyemi O.A Ojo is a British-born Author. Omoyemi, pronounced: "Aw-Maw-Yea-Me", was born in the swinging sixties to African parents in Kilburn, London and spent her formative years in Berkshire, England before moving to Africa with her parents for a number of years after which she returned to England... Her love for the literary world which she advanced in while in the university, began right from when she was very young reading Literature in English books by authors such as Charlotte Bronte, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens to name a few and later on more advanced English Literature books such as Shakespeare, Chaucer and Thomas Becket amongst others. She counts the late Dame Barbara Cartland as one of her favourite novelists because of her style of writing and the era in which she based most of her novels - ancient England. She also credits Chinua Achebe as a literary influence whose vivid descriptions and humour are aspects of writing she tries to emulate. The years she spent as a hospitality worker which she refers to as: "A flash in the pan", brought about her first book 'Hotel Greed Grab and Grumble - Hollywood', which is an inside look at some of the goings-on in that "world". Omoyemi is an avid lover of photography especially but not limited to nature, she also loves Jazz music. She did play the flute while in elementary school in England and hopes to learn how to play the Saxophone someday... Omoyemi currently resides in California.

Book preview

PREFACE

Hotel Greed Grab and Grumble - Hollywood, is a work of fiction based on different experiences the author had while working in the hotel industry.

This is a light hearted depiction of some of the things that probably do happen at almost every hotel. Anyone who reads this book will find a few things that might relate to their own personal experiences, be it during their stay at a resort or a hotel anywhere in the world and hopefully some could learn a thing or two from this tale.

This is life and life will continue to be a learning experience...

HOTEL MAJOR is a flashy hotel where everyone who is considered 'someone' goes, to see and be seen. It is a hot spot for those wealthy individuals who live extravagant lifestyles with extraordinary tastes. These individuals demand the best of services even sometimes when such demands go beyond logic to the layman.

Top politicians and businessmen worldwide have graced its grounds and have come to call it home because of the excellent services often rendered, especially privacy thereby putting her on the top ten list or thereabout worldwide.

At Hotel Major, there is a hierarchical division amongst the staff. Some of who believe because they wear Power Suits and receive handout designer labels, oftentimes gifts from celebrities they are better than the other staff. Such arrogance often stemming from a false sense of security whereby such staff believe their status has been elevated because they are mingling with the rich and famous and are on their way up in what is considered the industry and the Hollywood crowd. Not only that, greed, hypocrisy and sex scandals abound in this close knit family but are always swept under the carpet...

Like any hotel, the Hotel Major, has had its fair share of scandals which are kept under wraps so much so that if such scandals were even linked to the hotel, the Public Relations personnel were quick to dispel such rumors by saying: Not here, we are not aware of such a thing! This has helped earn the hotel a high return rate because of its upper stiff lip and zipped mouth.

What happens at Hotel Major, Stays at Hotel Major, or does it?

INTRO: CHECK - IN. WELCOME TO THE...HOTEL MAJOR!

Close the door. That was the sound of the voice on the other end of the line I heard as I finally decided to contact DAVE my online friend who until now, had remained mysterious. At the back of my mind I somewhat knew that actually speaking on the phone for the first time would be different. Not only would it burst the mystique of what DAVE sounded like, I would also get a slight insight into what he might really be. Finally, I would be able to put a sound to the person sending all those raunchy messages we had exchanged. Finally and Boy, were there many!

Through experience, well, maybe I should say through watching a few movies about online dating, flirting, calling and whatever comes in between, it seems like things go downhill from then onwards. There is no longer that mystery after all, the unknown is intriguing. The fun and games are over...

So what are you up to? I asked as I could hear him tell whoever it was with him to close the door. Not much, he replied. Wherever he was, it was somewhat obvious he was not alone because all of a sudden he seemed somewhat shy. I had to make most of the conversation flow and deep down I felt he was being cautious. We had our 'little' ear - to - ear semi - nervous conversation. To be candid, I cannot remember our exact conversation word for word but I do remember that we did chat for a good amount of time. Our conversation went somewhere in line of him asking me how long I had registered with the site GROWN UP LOOKERS, how many dates I had been on, what exactly I was looking for. Just general small talk. I tried being as honest as possible within reason since I really had no plans whatsoever to meet him nor anyone else at that on this dating site. For me, I signed up out of curiosity, boredom and the fun factor of having a 'pretend date'.

I told him I had signed up two weeks prior and that my first date from the site did not show up. That I had to call a back - up date from the same site who had filled in the time and that we had a great time. I did mention the fact that this other 'date' became a good phone friend who called once in a while but we both seemed to be busy with work and because of that, we always seemed to have a clash with scheduling another 'hook - up'. Truth be told, ARI - that was his name - and I only met up once in reality under very different circumstances not related to GROWN UP LOOKERS but just to make the whole conversation with DAVE seem genuine, I had to come up with that bit.

The other potential date / hook - up I had mentioned that I said stood me up was a popular blogger on the same site. He was a very busy member who often frequented the chat rooms and he hardly seemed the type that had the time to step away from his computer to see anyone. He often flirted with the idea of throwing a get - together with all his fans since he more or less lived on the computer keeping everyone entertained. Having said that, GOLDILOCKS as he was known online was fun to chat with in cyberspace and that was about it.

GROWN UP LOOKERS

GROWN UP LOOKERS was an online dating site I had stumbled upon during one of those drag - on days. It was raunchy, graphic - not for your grandmother but nevertheless, it was entertaining. It was just one of those sites where you could just let your hair down and be who you wanted to be without any inhibitions...Members had the option of posting any type of photo and I mean any type ranging from the bizarre to the ridiculous but there was the option to post regular pictures. Bottom line it was a sight to meet the lonely hearts and take it from there to the fifth level if you know what I mean.

My conversation with DAVE seemed pretty normal. As a matter of fact, it was lively even though I made it more fun. I learnt he had made quite a few friends from the site and had actually met some of his cyber friends but he said I was the wackiest and friendliest of the lot. I found that flattering but I still did not trust something about him. I became a bit suspicious when out of nowhere, his questions became personal. He started asking questions that only someone I had met or who knew me could come up with. Hmmmm. I felt more like I was being interviewed way into our little chat.

Could it be that my 'eyes' had been detected? I pondered.

When I signed up to the site, I made it a point not to post any pictures. I preferred the anonymity of being ambiguous. I had my basic profile, a few details about me what I was on there for which was mainly chat at any level - wink - and so on. I would log on and chat with my cyber friends some times for half an hour atimes a full hour maybe more but no longer than that since I had other things to do. A lot of my cyber connections would ask why I did not post a picture. Some even thought I was probably a man marauding as a woman or a Transgender because they felt there was just something something, they would say that convinced them that I had too sharp a sense of humour to be who I said I was. At first, I thought, no way in hell was I going to put my image out there but after a while I felt let me give them a teaser. I got out my Nikon digital Camera, took a fully clothed picture with a side pose. Good enough for anyone to see my statistics, I also got out an old picture I had taken a few months earlier, clipped my eyes so that I looked like a woman wearing a veil but only revealing her eyes from that photo and decided on posting those two winning pictures. I love mascara and I had a lot on in that second picture. I made sure I went ahead and covered my face in the full length picture with the three digits of my screen name on GROWN UP LOOKERS on my first picture. I really did not want my full face out there just a teaser. My pictures were ready, I finally decided to post them. No one would recognize me. Even if they did, I was doing nothing wrong. By the way, if anyone did what were they looking for on the same site? Obviously, they were thrill seekers as well. This was the thought on my mind as I received an acknowledgment e - mail from GROWN UP LOOKERS stating they had received the pictures I had sent and that they would be up for all to see. Finally my Cyber friends would see me! Well, have an Idea of what I look like since many had a preconceived notion.

As soon as DAVE started asking those suspicious questions, I thought he probably had recognised me and just in a bid to confirm his suspicion, I think just to cover his tracks or be 'safe' he decided to coax me to call him.

DAVE's profile was pretty straightforward. He was forty, single, middle - eastern looking more Moroccan. He reminded me of the guy at the Humidor not too far from my house who had always badgered me for a date but my answer had remained the same, NO! He had on a familiar blue t - shirt on, he was bald, but for the beard, he looked way too familiar. He was sitting down in front of a mirror when he took the picture he posted, the main picture, that is, more than likely he had taken it with a camera phone. One thing that struck me was the frames of the pictures sticking out from his main photo. I had seen them before could my eyes be fooling me? I was browsing and had come across his picture and I thought I had seem him before. Well, there is a saying that says curiosity kills the cat and although I did not get killed, curiosity almost got me. I continued to read his profile, he looked too familiar but for the beard and the somewhat bigger nose. No insults intended!

One thing that got me to continue to read on was the fact that he liked erotic chat which was one of the things he included in what he was looking for, he also liked fantasies and long phone bone talk. I love to talk all kinds of talk and I thought even if this person was who I thought he was, at least he had no clue who I was. It would not be a bad idea to get to know him from a different perspective if he did turn out to be who I suspected he was. He need not worry, I felt his secret was safe, we were on the same site, the only thing is that he seemed to be looking for more. He had eleven other pictures of a graphic nature and he stated that he was seeking 'friends' and 'clients' Could it be that he was into what I was thinking with? No it can't be.

I decided to go ahead and make that call one evening out of boredom, after all he had given me his number and urged me to call. It seemed as if he was holding his nose to disguise his voice at first, but when I told him midway through our conversation that I was just relaxing with a glass of chardonnay, it seemed like he probably felt no need to keep up the disguise and started talking freely. From then onwards, he seemed a bit more relaxed even humorous but still controlled. After rounding up our conversation that night, he said he would like to take me out for coffee, to which I responded that as long as he was hosting the outing I would not mind. In other words I had no money to spend on him if he thought I was a potential 'client'. In my mind, no such date was going to happen. In my mind I felt if he was not who I suspected he was, as time passed we might become phone friends.

My delving into the internet world in a way made me realize that I had so much to talk about. I would go back and forth in my narrative, that way, I would be able to paint a clearer picture.

We are all human. Fasten your seat belts, you are in for a very bumpy ride...

FUNDRAISER

Something brought me to Hotel Major. It was situated in a great location. In California, every little thing that could lead to major success, more often than not was all about location, location,location. So, yes I was at THE place without really realizing it. Left to me, all I was after was a stable occupation to pay my bills and continue the pact of life.

I was stuck in a rot. I was working at a major retail store for the very rich and famous, me being one of them, Laugh, not really moving in any direction as such but being snubbed consistently by the high and low of all spectres of Hollywood and by a few corporate workers who happened to stroll In with either big cash or credit cards. Don't forget that having lived here in California I have come to understand a bit about some unwritten laws of societal hierarchy. The richer you are the better. Frankly I do not agree with this notion but money and power opens doors. If you happen to be a foreigner, female, no car with an accent that is a wrap forget it, you are a gonner! To the ignorant few you are more or less useless and just push off. I was really itching for a change I had had enough of the stereotyping. Here I was working hard every single day trying to make ends meet. Going about my business with no complaints as such after all I had made the decision to come over here for a change. Despite the fact that I was fully employed, some of my neighbors thought I was unemployed and lived their lifestyle. They had that sense of belonging and entitlement and since they lived a certain lifestyle, they automatically assumed that I was for sure most definitely worse off than them. I was new in town I did not have a car but could afford one however I decided to hold off on that since I preferred to live in a safe neighbourhood which did cost a bit which was alright. As a single female safety came first and foremost for me so, rather than buy a smokey car which would have drained my wallet, I made do with public transportation, a total abomination in California! How was I going to ever convince a potential boyfriend that I had a job? Not having a car to the average Angeleno a term used for those who lived in southern California meant only one or two things. You were homeless, had no job, no credit and you were virtually useless. Most especially to a potential date / boyfriend / lay,whatever. If you looked a certain way and were female with all the aforementioned, that was a complete wrap in California.

So, here I was in March 2005. After getting over a situation, the suicide of a producer of a few T.V shows, Marcel,not that you can really get over a thing like that. A famous fund raiser show was on again for its yearly television broadcast and even though I had other plans for the day to go to the suburbs of Thousand Oaks since the forecast was very nice, somewhere between the mild seventies to eighties, an unexpected phone call from Adah a booker for shows had called to see if I was interested.

Hey Girl. Her voice as crusty as ever boomed through the receiver. Would you like to do the fundraiser? It is a three day casting and I am going to need overnight people. I can do two, I answered, somewhat apprehensive of turning anything down. I had planned an outing on the third day of the fund raising event, but this was an opportunity to make some money and mingle. The third day that I was unavailable was an open day recruitment at Hotel Major. They had put out an advertisement in the local paper for new openings. I was not going to miss that for anything. I just had had enough of working in retail. I wanted out although I was still doing background extra that I liked.

Great! She responded as she booked me for the two days I was available. When I checked my booking on my voice mail later on that day, since she had to leave details about the call time, location wardrobe and contact as well as the hours amongst other things, I just said to myself that I would forgot the open - day. My sister had nudged me about the open - day earlier on. She had come across the full page advertisement in the local paper two weeks prior and had said I should give it a try. Two well known hotels were recruiting new members of staff. They were world renowned and so were their locations. Oh well, I have these two bookings. I thought. Also I had my support system, family, what did I have to lose? I would just go ahead and do the fundraiser and if I could I would go ahead on the third day to the open - day.

The fundraiser was an event that I attended year in year out. It was for a worthy cause. The only snag about the whole thing was that it was an overnight taping. I am not blaming my booker though. Then we were coaxed into coming in on the third day. Since the taping on the third day was only for a few hours in the morning, a re - shoot of a scene, my sister and I barely slept but made it there anyway.

The final leg of the taping went well. The organization had raised a reasonable sum of money to go towards that charity and after the final call everyone was on their merry way. I remember asking my sister Lulu if we should still go ahead to the open day which was almost over by this time. Lulu, should I still go to the open day? I remember asking. To which she responded. It is kind of late but we should still go to see! In my mind I would have given it a thirty percent thought had I been alone but since there were the two of us, her opinion outweighed my reluctance and off we went. I needed that kick in my bottom and she gave me that push. We decided that whatever the case, even though it was late almost, I would still go. It was being held in the posh neighborhood of Beverly Hills where the hotel, Hotel Major was and if we did miss the open - day recruitment, we could take in the sites, after all some of the worlds most renowned designer shops are there and we could go window shopping. And also just to satisfy our curiosity we decided to go. At least, the worst thing I would hear I thought was Oh well, you came too late. Or, something along that line. So, off to Beverly Hills I went alongside my sister, tired, make - up slushed, who cared? I in particular felt the more under toned and simple I appeared, the better. I had heard a rumor that, the less conspicuous one appeared at a hotel setting for a job interview, the higher chances one has of being employed as long as all the other requirements are met.

We set out. I was dressed in a simple black jacket, a white nicely structured blouse, black flared trousers, hair pulled back in a bun, simple studded earrings, next to no make - up as I mentioned earlier on. I had endured the early morning taping at the fundraiser and just could not be bothered about splashing on an extra caking of make - up. Nevertheless I felt refreshed and touched up my lip gloss I felt a sense of calm confidence thinking there was no way I could go wrong with this winning look...

So here I was, sister in tow in the world renowned Beverly Hills, one of the worlds most famous locations and address known to Kings, Queens, Presidents and the who's who of society. I took a look at my sister and mentioned to her that it seemed like nothing was going on as soon as we were in close proximity of the hotel, that we probably were late and that we should just turn around to which she agreed but to be certain we approached a tall liveried man with striking red hair. He was one of the doormen at Hotel Major. He was dressed in a uniform that stood out, an ankle - length grey coat with silver buttons and a cap that kind of, in the inner mind conjure up an image of a German SS officer during the third reich, no offense intended, I studied history as well and I do remember seeing pictures of SS soldiers uniforms that had a slight similarity. Good afternoon. He said. Welcome to Hotel Major. Good afternoon. My sister and I responded.Is the open day still on? I asked. It started at nine 'o' clock this morning. He proceeded to show us the entrance we had to take to get in which was around the corner. Thanks a lot Art. We uttered as we made way to the entrance he had shown us. Art had been working as a doormen for a few years at the hotel and was very professional. I just wanted to see it through, to be sure that if anything, I made it even if it was too late. I was really tired but where there is a will, there is a way.

We made our way to the entrance Art had directed us to and I just could not help noticing the cobblestone entrance. I had seen a similar walkway many years earlier in White chapel a well - known location in London famous for Jack the ripper and the mystery surrounding the whole story.Good afternoon'. Another voice boomed as we climbed the stairs to proceed into the building facing the Northern part of the Hollywood side. Good afternoon, is the open - day still on? I asked once again as I had asked Art at the main entrance. It ended a while back, it's been on all day. My sister and I looked at each other as if to say Well, it's late let's make a U turn. As we lingered on for a while thinking 'Oh well', this doorman said You could still go and check though". He introduced himself as John and said should in case we needed any further information he would be at the door. We thanked him and hurried up to the hall where the interviewing was taking place. I could hear him wishing us GOODLUCK as we left. We were late, we knew that but it just came down to a matter of taking a chance.

THE INTERVIEW

Going for the interview was a gamble. Here I was late, I had given up and I just thought I would see what happens. There I was anyway. As I mentioned my sister was with me and we had got to the venue of the open - day job fair. It was a large hall and to our surprise, it was almost full to capacity. We were greeted at the entrance and were asked to sign - in and then handed two application forms to fill out with as much details as possible. We were then told to remain seated till we were called. As we sat down to start the formalities, I remember saying to my sister that it was just as well we decided to come. But for her I was reluctant. Good thing she gave me that extra push I needed. She sat down therewith me as I proceeded to fill out the form for a more stable position. I had been working as a movie background extra. Work was hap - hazard especially since quite a few production companies had moved their film sets off - shore or out of state and I still had bills to pay. With a dwindling bank account it was about time for a change. Off to the paper work I proceeded, it was the simple basic stuff such as name, address, phone number, type of work sought - there was a listing of vacancies available on the forms handed out with the job application form - experiences, references and signature. Done. I held on to my form and waited to be called.

Finally I could take a deep breath. I felt more like a gatecrasher getting there late and filling out the form hurriedly but the good thing was that they were still accepting applications. Now I can take in the atmosphere around me, I thought as I sat down quietly. Lulu was laughing because she did not need a job. She was gainfully employed but just decided to go to be my support system which I am very grateful for. The hall was rather large, which could conveniently sit a crowd of three hundred. It was carpeted from wall to wall, the hue was sort of dark - cream colored with brown circular decorations in the middle to contrast the shade of dark cream, lighter than the actual carpet. One could safely say the carpet was specifically chosen to compliment the cheerful cream walls and bring some balance to both hues and also plenty of light and an airiness to the feel of the room. There were floor top to bottom mirrors running all around the hall to give that illusion of the hall being even much bigger than it already was. I must say the cleaners did a good job to make sure it was spotless all through the hall but this is expected of any five star hotel. Hotel Major had a reputation to live up to and frankly they did not disappoint. The ceiling had cement art décor of the nineteen thirties era with a huge oval sunken depth in the middle of the hall with a huge crystal chandelier dangling delicately in the middle sparkling due to the reflection of the light. There were two smaller chandeliers on the sides to the left and right of the entire hall. The center piece was the main attraction and a beauty. Right in front of the hall was a stage with a grand piano which obviously made