Fandango’s Story Starter #131

This week’s Story Starter teaser is:

This whole crazy chain of events started when I accidentally picked up the wrong suitcase at the airport.

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This whole crazy chain of events started when I accidentally picked up the wrong suitcase at the airport. It was a stupid mistake, given I had the extra fluorescent tags attached to both the handle of the suitcase and each wheel! But I was tired and I suppose mistakes can happen. It was the rest of my day that had me spinning!
The bags had come out on the carousel and I watched for my bag while at the same time checking my reservations at the hotel and their check-in time. I grabbed my bag, or what I thought was my bag, and headed straight for the car rental center. It was warmer here than back home and I was going to open my case for a cooler shirt but changed my mind when I saw that the line at the rental counter was actually quite short. I took this as a cue to keep moving, no stopping until my feet were up, my television was on, and my room service was on its way up.
Wheeling my suitcase from the indoor counter to the car lot was quick and simple. When I got to the car that was assigned to me I again thought about how hot it was. Again, I contemplated getting out a different shirt but thought against it, not wanting to waste time.
I finally got checked in to my room and the steward threw my suitcase on the bed. I thanked him, gave him a tip, and quickly closed the door. It wasn’t until I saw the bottom of the suitcase that I knew there was a problem! Either someone had taken the fluorescent tags off my case or I had the wrong suitcase!
Feeling exhausted and now aggravated I hurried down to the front desk. Luckily this was a small city and there were only a handful of hotels available. The maître d’ said he would call the other hotels and check to see if someone had also claimed they had the wrong bag. I doubted I’d get my bag back but I was willing to let him try. He suggested I grab a drink and wait for him in the bar and I was happy to oblige. If I didn’t have my own bag this was going to be an expensive trip as I would need all new clothes and toiletries! If only I had went to change my shirt before getting the car a lot of this may have been avoided.

©2024 CBialczak