25. Back To The Big Texan

Labor Day weekend again, 1993 this time, and a much larger group headed for the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. This time out no one was up to the challenge of the big meal, but the trip down and the good food is well worth the time and effort.

There were nearly thirty of us on this trip. We had split up in groups of four and five bikes so we wouldn’t be a traffic hazard for faster cars as well as for ourselves. Because of this defensive move, we all got to the motel at different times. Again we stayed at the adjoining motel where Judy had requested all ground floor rooms and had procured group discount rates for us all.

One couple arrived quite a bit later than the rest of us and, even with the late arrival, their room wasn’t ready! Not good. It ain’t wise to irritate a road weary couple with needless delay; especially when they’ve been on the road all day. Better have a damn good reason why this room ain’t ready.

June, the female component of this couple, lodged a modest but firm complaint. The young lady behind the counter explained that the maids were working feverishly and the room should be ready post haste.

June went outside and relayed this news to her husband, Ken. Ken is real quiet, but the kind of quiet you don’t want to push. And this situation was pushing all the wrong buttons! Together, they re-entered the lobby just in time to hear the clerk give a room to a couple at the same rate that was reserved for us as a group! That did it! June didn’t have time to attack; Ken did it for her. He blistered the air and stormed out highly peeved that their room was not only delayed, but was upstairs and on the other side of the motel, far away from the group!

On their way out the door, they nearly knocked me over as I was headed in for more complimentary coffee. Inside, I found the young lady crying. She told me she didn’t even work here. She was just helping her brother for the weekend. She further stated that those were the rudest people she had ever met! Knowing this to be untrue and that Ken and June were merely tired and frustrated. I spent a little time drinkin’ her free coffee and offering a little aid and comfort before leaving.

Moments later, the clerk called out to Ken and June that their room was at last ready for occupancy. Now, they thought, that’s more like it!

After a good shower they rejoined us on the parking lot and we all went in to supper. Again, the meal was excellent and the service was equal to the food. We wandered around the gift shop and eventually found chairs around the Texas-shaped swimming pool and enjoyed each other’s company under the bright clear West Texas night sky.

June said rather apologetically, “I don’t know what came over me this afternoon. I just never get mad and lose my temper like that.” She thought a minute and continued with a little giggle, “Sure got results though. I’ll have to remember that in the future.”

“June,” I said. “There’s a little more than that to the story. Do you remember that I was on the way in when you stormed out? Well, the girl was crying and upset so I comforted her a little and told her she should be a little more understandin’. I told her Ken had just been released from prison and was tryin’ to re-adjust to normal society! That’s why you got the room so fast!”

June cringes every time I tell this story, mildly protesting that it didn’t happen just that way. Still, it illustrates that there is more than one way to communicate clearly!