Going down for breakfast through a narrow corridor covered with a filthy fitted carpet
I noticed that what the night before looked to me
Like creepy portraits hanging on the walls
Were actually just ordinary paintings depicting flowers and vases of various sorts
The feeble winter sun was giving the breakfast room a totally dreamy appearance
Although the countertop was eaten by woodworms
And a strong smell of bleach was filling the air
I wanted to sit down and have some coffee, but all the tables were taken
She was looking at me as if she had been waiting for me
Her chin plunged in the purple polo neck she was wearing
I kindly asked if I could sit at her table; she smiled without answering: I took it as a "yes"
While sipping my coffee, I noticed how she kept on staring at me
With a look between curious and insolent on her face; and so, very calmly
I introduced myself and made some random sarcastic comments
About the hotel's cleaning procedures and how the room temperature
Was unacceptably low due to the open windows
But I hadn't finished the sentence
When another girl came quickly towards us and joined us at the table
It was her sister: the resemblance was apparent though not huge
And she definitely seemed more sociable
She greeted me excitedly and asked me with amusement
Why on earth I was staying at a hotel in my own town
Only afterwards I realized I had never mentioned where I lived