November 5th
Penn lay sprawled out on the queen-sized bed, managing to effectively take up the entire thing. This was not such a bad thing, since Carlotta had no interest in lying down at the moment. She stood in front of the mirror by the bathroom, making sure her unmanageable hair at least gave the impression of being somewhat managed. They were both dressed, but still damp from their recent shower, which hadn’t accomplished much at all in the ‘getting clean’ area, all things considered.
“Penn, you’d better get ready,” she said, trying to figure out if her hair worked better down, or pulled up and out of the way.
“I am ready,” he insisted, watching her.
Carlotta gave him a sideways glance by way of the mirror. “I don’t think they’ll let you in dressed like that,” she said, referring to his slightly torn jeans and ghastly t-shirt. “Is Teller coming with? He at least knows how to dress sensibly.”
Penn refrained from mentioning how Teller dressed like a complete square as he pulled himself to his feet. “I dunno. I’ll go ask him.”
He made his way to the door that linked the adjoining hotel room, and pounded on it once before pushing it open.
“Hey, Teller,” he said as he walked through the door, met with the very last sight he expected to ever see.
It was big, black, and seemed, from Penn’s perspective, to be composed primarily of teeth and claws. More importantly, it looked up sharply at Penn’s voice, and with a mad snarl, leapt for him, claws swinging and teeth snapping madly.
Penn wanted to swear. He wanted to blaspheme. He wanted to say something totally obscene. He tried to do all three at once, which manifested in a startled shriek as he reeled backwards and slammed the door shut.
“What was that?” Carlotta demanded, spinning round sharply.
Penn snatched up the room key and Carlotta’s handbag, ushering her sharply to the door. “Nothing,” he insisted. “Teller’s not coming. Let’s go.”
This is crazy. These things do not happen. They just don't, and Penn knows it.
Except that it did happen, and Penn saw it.
Well, that's what he gets for saying something as blatantly stupid as, 'I'll believe it when I see it.'
"Wait here," Penn says, rushing for the door.
Carlotta looks up at him, stunned at the absolute disaster before her. "Penn? Where are you going?" she demands. But it's too late. He's already gone.