No, I’m not even through season one, yet. Yes, I understand the depth of his betrayal.
But when he slammed Andrew into that wall 😮💨
The way he looks at Bree…
In fact, they may even be my favourite couple.
That’s all. Thanks 🫡
Okay… I’ll admit, I’m new to this rabbit hole. But, I can’t find this stuff anywhere.
HOTEL.C.D.
Welcome, welcome.
Thank you for joining us. Well, me.
May I ask how you heard about this place?
It’s been so long since we’ve seen – sorry, um, since I’ve had any guests.
Oh, online?
You, you heard it was a “fun” experience?
I see.
Well, once again, thank you for coming.
Umm, I just have a few things to go over regarding your stay, and then we can get you settled right in.
I have a – uh list around here somewhere.
You know, they praise us for being such a clean and tiddy company, but as you can see, that really isn’t so.
So, uh, where are you from?
Oh, nice, I hear it’s a lovely place.
Calm, and such.
No, no I’ve never been.
I don’t get the chance to leave here very often.
How long have I been working here?
Oh gosh, as long as I can remember.
Yeah well, you know, you get used to it.
Ahh, at last!
Here it is.
I’ll just read them off to you, if that’s okay?
They really don’t like us giving things to guests.
So, here we go.
Oh, I’m sorry, do you mind just stepping to your left a bit, just off that tile?
The, the owner really just likes some things to be, and look, and feel a certain way.
You’ll see what I mean.
Okay, let's see.
One: “All walls, furniture, doors, windows, etc. will appear the same solid colour. The colour will change, though duration and colour is dependent on whatever thought the owner is having at the time.
Be aware that the colour may remain the same for months or years, or may change several times throughout the day”
Two:
“Guests shou–’
Sorry?
Does it “get boring?”
What, the colours?
No. Not boring. Just, I guess, umm upsetting, distressing. It wears on you.
But, no, not boring.
Do I have any power to change the colour?
No, I’m afraid no one can. Not really.
So, carrying on.
Two: “Guests should be aware that their own thoughts may begin to conform to the patterns designed by this company. Listed below are common affects, however, they may not be limited t–”
Sorry?
Well, you did come here for the “experience,” didn’t you?
This is the “experience.” All inclusive.
I’m sorry, do you mind if I hurry, I have a meeting at 12 sharp, and if I’m not there, I will certainly be out of a job and my life will undoubtedly be ruined.
Why’d the colour change?
Oh, gosh.
Umm, new thought I guess.
Heh. Umm, we really need to hurry along, okay?
“ A) Guests may begin to feel with overwhelming conviction that they–”
“Guests may begin to feel with overwhelming convict–”
“Guests, guests, guests may feel with overwhelm–”
Oh, my god. I’m– I’m sorry.
“Guests may begin to feel with overwhelming conviction that they have done something wrong, immoral, or illegal, and that they have acted in a way against their values, whether in action or speech. This experience is called a “false memory.” It may present itself in themes of homicide, incest, abuse, and various other forms of harm and illigal or immoral activity.
B) “Guests may become increasingly concerned that they are attracted to children, have experienced the urge to, or fear that they will act on improper impulses in the future.
Despite these worries being strictly against the individual’s true thoughts and beliefs, they will likely succumb to accepting these falsities posed by intrusive thou–”
I’m sorry?
No, you don’t need to leave. It’s really that bad.
Just give me another minute.
This, this is just the worst of it.
I’ll skip to the next part.
Umm…
Okay.
“Guests may begin to believe that their own thoughts are directly related to completely separate events, and that they have control over—”
Umm, maybe not that.
Ah, here.
“Guests may begin to feel extreme mental, and more commonly, physical discomfort if tangible items or tasks are not arranged or completed in a specific order or sequence. This may look like but is not limited to:
the order of objects around them; the way in which words are spoken: the pattern of typing or
writing. If these acts or items are not done or arranged properly, individuals may experience physical symptoms, such as severe nausea, dizziness, or a racing heart, a headache, tremors, or sudden exhaustion. They may feel the undefinable need to repeat an action or continuously reorder an object until it feels ‘just right’ to them.”
Pardon?
Am I ‘done’?
Well, no, not really. There's still quite a few pages.
Yes, I see the colour changed.
It's a busy brain today.
Am I the owner?
I don’t own this place, no one does.
It is a mind of its own.
No, no.
You don’t need to go.
Really, I–I promise it's not that bad.
You’ll get used to it.
Can’t I just what?
Turn it off?
What, this whole place?
No. God I’m tired of hearing that.
“Just turn it off. Jus–”
You know what?
I’m sorry.
But really, you don’t need to go.
Is there a contract?
No.
I didn't get a choice. Why should you?
I’m sorry.
Listen. All I’m saying is, you wanted the “experience,” well, here it is.
Oh, don’t pity me.
You don’t really feel bad.
Maybe if you did, you’d stay.
You aren’t the first to leave. You won’t be the last.
Enjoy your life. Your brain. Your uncoloured home.
Additionally, I would ask (not saying I necessarily agree), is there ever an excuse for the monsters they become?
I have always been fascinated by Appalachia; envious of your mountains, enthralled by your traditions, and captivated by the very idea.
I’m from southern Ontario, a little town not far from our county’s biggest city. Needless to say, my daily sights and culture differ from yours.
I have only ever been “around,” or, just brushed your beautiful range, travelling through various states.
Only seeing your mountains through a window, and meeting people in passing (less Louisville… but).
I have, admittedly, always carried the “Deliverance” tainted perspective of your world. I have admittedly binged Appalachian horror stories, obsessively pondered the idea of “backwoods” and “feral” communities.
Listened, selectively, to individuals share of their life in the hills; trying only to fulfil the tunneled image curated in my mind, lore and the media. I have watched the Whitakers, wondered the reason for the abundance of trailer parks. I have, in my mind, placed the entire south-east as a world frozen in time, haunted by destitute miners, child brides, incest, poverty, and desolation.
I am sorry.
In my country, we have a culture. We have traditions. But our experiences pale in comparison to the world of Appalachia.
So, I’m hoping that you could share with me your experiences. Debunk any myths (although, if anyone has a good story to tell, I’m all ears).
Tell me of the beauty of your world. Tell me of the tragedy. Tell me of your greatest memories shared only with the hills.
Tell me of this oh so special place.