The Emerald Hotel

November 7, 2002

My therapist advised me to start writing down my thoughts and life events in this book. She said to write at least a paragraph, so I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Frederick Johnson. I am the owner of my own hotel-The Emerald Hotel-and I am not insane. I thought I should just clarify that, since people who see therapists are usually some degree of crazy, but not in this case. I hardly see a point in writing my thoughts into some stupid little book, but psychotherapy is the only (somewhat) appealing option, so I’m stuck.

November 12, 2002

Listen, I don’t intend to make this a regular thing. I just want to have something written down for Katherine to read. She likes to have discussions with me on what I’ve written. She says, “It’s good for you to release the tension in your life” and I don’t want to disappoint her. The Emerald wasn’t very busy. A young couple came in, so I had them sign in and I even carried their bags up to their room for them. James and Jessica Holmes were their names. They had just married and were looking for a place to spend the night before they left for their honeymoon. Nice people, but I never did see them leave. I went to check into their room a few hours ago and the room was in order, but it was empty. Oh well, I guess they snuck out before I was up.

November 16, 2002

Here I am again. Telling a book about my day. This really does make me look crazy, doesn’t it? Well, no one checked into the hotel today. I did get to eat lunch with my friend Emma. We’ve known each other since we were kids. We even grew up in the same neighborhood. I remember how we used to play on the playground together, climbing around on the monkeybars like apes… She has a child now, a 6 year old boy named Arthur. I’m glad she has such a happy life. She really deserves it.

November 26, 2002

I think I’m starting to like writing. I never really liked it in school, but things have changed since then... Today was quiet in the hotel. No one really came in, so I decided to close up for the day and go for a walk. The town seemed almost empty. It was as if the only lights outside were the stars. Everything seemed gloomy, so I headed home. Not a very eventful day, but there’s always tomorrow.

December 1, 2002

I spent Thanksgiving with Katherine at the hotel. We had a nice dinner and made good conversation. I’m glad I had someone to dine with, otherwise I would have just stayed home alone again. I know that sounds depressing, but I’ve gotten used to it by now. I live in the Emerald, by the way, on the top floor. It’s a good deal. I get a decent place to live, and others get a decent place to stay.

December 4, 2002

Katherine (my therapist) is impressed with my somewhat consistent writing. I think she underestimated me. I’m capable of a lot of things that she wouldn’t even dream of.

December 7, 2002

Emma came into the hotel with her son, Arthur today. It was nice to meet him. He had chubby little cheeks and his mother’s sky-blue eyes. They checked in for the night, so I finally got to spend some extra time with my old, dear friend. I’m glad I have someone at the Emerald that I know.

December 12, 2002

Emma is staying in the hotel for a while longer! I don’t normally permit it, but I’m making an exception. I’m glad she likes the building. It’s nice to be able to spend a lot more time with her and her son. Honestly, I’ve been a little lonely, but not anymore. Not now.

December 18, 2002

It was a quiet day today, so I decided to visit Katherine. She wasn’t home, so I guess I can try to visit later. I also got to spend some time with Arthur. He’s a pretty good kid. Maybe he’ll grow up to be a good young man, too.

December 25, 2002

Merry Christmas! I know books can’t talk, but I felt it was appropriate to begin with that. Emma, Arthur, Katherine and I spent Christmas Day together. We exchanged gifts, ate delicious food and, most importantly, had fun. I’m glad that I have such good people to spend time with.

December 31, 2002/January 1, 2003

It’s 11:58 pm on New Year’s Eve. I have a little bit of time until 2003, so I thought I’d write a little bit. ...And Happy New Year! It’s 2003 now! Time flies, as the saying goes. My New Year’s resolution is to be more open to new people. Maybe this year will be better than the last.

January 10, 2003

Katherine says I’m making slow but steady progress. I was hoping that all of this writing was coming to something good. She was proud of me, so we went out for coffee to celebrate. I don’t drink coffee, but it was fun anyway. This year is going pretty well so far.

January 12, 2003

I guess the holidays draw in more people. A family of 5 came to stay the night. A father (Chris), his wife (Karen), and their 3 children (Amelia, Simon and Charlotte) signed in. I showed them to their rooms and they were grateful. They had been driving for hours and just wanted a good night’s sleep before continuing their trip. They’re a decent bunch of people. I’m glad that I get to meet such unique and kind individuals. Speaking of, Katherine stopped by to book a room for later. She is headed up North next week to visit her friends. It’s been a busy day today. Lots of people to take care of.

January 15, 2003

I’m not insane, the people in my hotel just leave quickly. They are not disappearing, they just leave, safe and sound. I swear that I’m just a hotel owner, nothing else. I’m not crazy I’m not crazy I’M NOT

I’m not crazy.

Are you?

January 19, 2003

I got to visit my good friend and therapist, Katherine, today. She was as friendly and as helpful as ever! After our session, Kathy, Emma and I went out for food. It was so nice to get away with some friends for a little bit. So nice to escape, escape, escape.

January 23, 2003

You trust me, right? I mean, you’re just a book, but still.. I can tell you anything, without anyone else seeing it. You are just a book, unless someone reads you. You, whoever is reading this, I swear I’m sane, I’m innocent. You believe me, right? Right?

February 1, 2003

I hear sirens outside. It’s finally time. It’s been fun. I hope they keep the hotel open, despite the… incidents… They’re at the door now. I guess this is goodbye