The Guest House (Based on a short story entitled "the Landlady" by Rao (standard:horror, 1529 words)
Author: Michael Lance Kersting	Added: Jan 30 2006	Views/Reads: 4367/2630	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Noon It was a small quiet town with many heritage houses from the Forties dotting the narrow streets. As the bus pulled up at the depot stop, Trevor MacGregor, writer, got off, carrying a brown leather travel bag. “Just the place for me” he thought

Noon 

It was a small quiet town with many heritage  houses from the Forties
dotting the narrow streets. As the bus pulled up at the depot stop, 
Trevor MacGregor, writer, got off, carrying a brown leather travel bag. 


“Just the place for me” he thought,looking around at the quiet
surroundings. 

He noticed that there were'nt many people around, probably all taking
shade from the swelteing heat, he figured. 

All he wanted was peace and quiet, so that he can concentrate on his
writing, and this looked just the place. 

He took in a deep breath and sighed.”What a relief to get away from the
mad hustle bustle of the city. 

Unloading his luggage from the luggage compartment of the bus, he went
in search of lodgings,. He saw a man lounging in front of a hardware 
store and approached him. 

“Good day ,sir,Is there a guest house around here?” 

“Yes, there sure is, young fella, try the “Knife and Fork,” it's jes a
block ahead. Tell the landlady that Will sent you .” 

MacGregor thanked the man, and sauntered up the dusty street. 

Finally, he found the place. 

It was a two storey buiding painted in white with a well kept flower
garden in front. The sign over the entrance read : “ THE KNIFE AND 
FORK', “BED AND BREAKFAST” in bold letters. A little note beneath read 
: ‘Vacancy” 

He walked up the three steps, crossed a small porch, and pushed the door
open. A bell tinkled as he entered. 

The drawing room was a bit gloomy looking, with stuffed animals almost
everywhere. He walked over to the small counter and put down his 
luggage. 

An elderly lady dressed in gray, emerged from a small side door behind
the small mahagony counter . She was carrying a small pot of flowers in 
her bony hands.She set it down gently on the counter. 

Her watery blue eyes looked him over quickly,sizing him up. 

‘Welcome,” she said pleasantly, ”I am Mrs. Robinson the landlady, what
can I do for you?” 

”Good afternoon, Ma'am, I am looking for a place to stay for a few days.
I saw your sign.” He replied 

The Landlady smiled, 

“ Well, you are in luck. I do have vacant room to let, I am Mrs.
Robinson, the landlady.” 

She turned an old register around to face him on the counter. 

“Please sign here” she said, indicating a line. 

MacGregor took out a pen from his pocket, and signed his name, noticing
that only two other tenants had registered previously. Both about a 
year ago, which made him curious. 

She looked at the signature. 

“It's two pounds a week,Mr.Macgregor,including breakfast”.” She said . 

“That will be fine.”he replied, reaching into his back pocket for his
wallet. 


Click here to read the rest of this story (194 more lines)