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Back when I was still
refereeing basketball, Betty and I decided to take a trip to Seattle,
Washington. Those were the days when Canadian Airlines were flying
into and out of Dawson Creek. Usage was so good that they added a
“red eye” flight to Vancouver, leaving Dawson Creek about 11:30
at night. And for only $99 round trip per passenger. Being the frugal
couple that we were, we decided to take that flight. Since, through
basketball and business, I had been numerous times to Vancouver, I
said I would make all the arrangements. Now this was in the days
before the internet and therefore no Google nor booking on line. So
by phone, I booked our flights, reserved a car rental at the
Vancouver airport and reserved over-night rooms for us at the hotel
I stayed at when refereeing games in the Vancouver area. This hotel
was owned by two brothers. One of whom was involved in basketball and
the other was an official for the Canadian Football League. It was in
a quiet area not too far from the airport and was a nice place to
stay. Since we knew each other, I knew they would provide nice rooms
for us.
And the appointed evening
arrived.
- We boarded the
plane, arriving in Vancouver about 1:00 a.m. No problem.
- The rental car was
waiting just like I ordered. No problem.
- Off we drove and
since I knew how to get there, No map.
- And we arrived at
the hotel about 1:30 am. No problem. Wrong!
The name of the hotel I
reserved rooms at was not the name of the hotel we were sitting in
front of. Somehow when I phoned information for the hotel number I
gave the wrong name of the hotel and the operator gave me a number
which I had phoned and made the reservation. And it wasn t this
place. 2 am, no map and I had no idea where the location of my
reservation was. But all is not lost. I have the address of the
place we were supposed to be at. Excellent, you say. Not quite. I
wasn t aware that street numbers in Vancouver continue from the city
on into it s suburbs. So I drove. And drove. But could not find that
address. Things are a little tense inside the car, but salvation was
at hand. Driving by an empty lot, Betty saw a phone booth sitting in
the middle of it. For those who do not know what a phone booth is, it
is an enclosed space, complete with a roof and a door. Above the door
is a light and inside is a phone that you can use if you have the
right coins to make your call. Since I also had the phone number for
where I had made arrangements, I was instructed by my wife that all I
had to do was make the call and ask for directions. Simple, you say.
Not in my world. I dutifully got out into the dark night, walked into
that empty lot, glancing around to locate any nefarious individuals
who shouldn t be there, and went into the booth. I read the
instructions which indicated that I needed 15 cents to make the call.
Horror of horrors, when I dug into my pocket for change, all I had
was quarters. The instructions, advised me that I could use a
quarter, but there would be no change given back. So I left the booth
and walked back to my rental car. When I told Betty that I hadn t
made the call and the reason I hadn t, well I guess you can fill in
her words she said to me.
I
do not remember what words I said to him, however I do remember what
he said to me. He said, the call cost .15, all I had was a
quarter, they give no change – I was not going to waste .10.
Now, my grandkids won t
even stop when walking to pick up a quarter which someone had
dropped.
And that is my story
and I am sticking to it.
Now
it is your turn – tell us a story
