Arthur, the proud owner of a small motel, held ambitious aspirations for its future. However, his attachment to the motel often fueled his ego more than it brought him joy.
Arthur cherished the reputation of his establishment, considering it among the finest and most esteemed motels in the region. His ultimate goal was to elevate it to the status of a hotel, and he viewed the upcoming Motel Hospitality Competition as his golden opportunity.
The Motel Hospitality Competition, an esteemed annual event, offered local motel owners a chance to expand their businesses. Arthur had eagerly applied for the competition and now awaited the verdict, when something unexpected happened..
Emerging victorious in this competition would not only boost his clientele but also pave the way for his motel’s transformation into a small hotel in the near future. Arthur eagerly anticipated the possibilities that winning an award could bring, allowing him to market his services more effectively and bring his dream closer to fruition.
One day, Arthur encountered his motel manager, Danny, in a tense situation with a woman named Jessica. Jessica was soaked from the rain outside, shivering in the chilly temperatures, and desperately seeking a place to stay for the night.
Arthur approached them, concern etched on his face. “What’s going on here, Danny?” he inquired, eager to understand the situation. Before Danny could respond, Jessica interjected, her voice filled with sincerity.
“Please, sir, I’m in dire need of a place to stay tonight. I’ll accept any available room. I don’t have any money at the moment, but—”
Arthur interrupted her abruptly, wearing a skeptical expression. “You don’t have any money?” he asked bluntly.
“Um… No, sir. But I’m certain we can work out an arrangement or find a way to settle the payment later. I just need a safe place to rest for the night,” Jessica pleaded, her eyes reflecting her desperation.
Arthur’s tone turned unsympathetic as he responded. “This isn’t a charity or a homeless shelter, ma’am. It’s a business. If you can’t pay, you can’t stay,” he stated firmly.
Jessica’s pleas grew more urgent. “Please, sir! It’s just for one night. I promise to leave first thing in the morning,” she implored.
Arthur, unaffected by her pleas, directed Danny to take action. “Danny, call security and ask them to escort this young woman off the premises,” he ordered, as Danny motioned to the security guards stationed nearby.
“Sir, please! I’m begging you! Just one night,” Jessica continued to plead, her desperation escalating as the security guards approached her, guiding her toward the exit.
“Goodbye, ma’am. Return when you can afford a room,” Arthur coldly dismissed her. He then turned his attention to Danny, who watched with empathy for the unfortunate woman.
“As for you, ensure everything is impeccable for tomorrow. The competition’s judges will be visiting, and we can’t afford to have anything out of place,” Arthur reminded Danny, his voice firm.
“Um… Y-Yes, sir,” Danny responded hesitantly, torn between his sympathy for Jessica and his obligation to meet Arthur’s high expectations.
The following morning, Arthur completed the final round of inspections with the competition’s jury. He felt a surge of confidence, believing he had performed exceptionally well. The jury appeared satisfied with his motel’s offerings.
On the day of the award ceremony, Arthur’s anxiety grew. He impatiently wished for the proceedings to hasten so he could claim his well-deserved prize. His biggest rival was also in the competition, and the longer the event dragged on, the more apprehensive Arthur became.
Despite his initial confidence, a nagging feeling of unease crept within him. The prolonged duration of the event only intensified his uncertainty.
Feeling jittery, Arthur approached one of the jury members, hoping for some clarity on the delay. The award ceremony should have commenced long ago, and this further disconcerted him.
“Excuse me, do you have any idea when the ceremony will begin? It’s been almost an hour,” Arthur inquired, seeking answers from the jury member.
“Oh, Arthur! Relax a little. You did remarkably well. We’ll be starting soon. We’re just waiting for the chairman to arrive. She encountered some traffic on the way,” the jury member reassured him.
“I see, okay,” Arthur responded, his nerves still frayed.
“Actually, there she is now. I think we’re ready to proceed,” the jury member informed him. Following the jury member’s gaze, Arthur’s heart sank as he spotted the chairman entering the room.
Drawn to the stage, Arthur moved closer, needing confirmation that his eyes weren’t deceiving him. With each step, his fears solidified as the chairman and other jury members took their places. To Arthur’s astonishment, the chairman turned out to be Jessica.
As Jessica approached the podium after being introduced by the MC, a distinct connection sparked between her and Arthur. His heart filled with shame and disbelief, while Jessica exuded an air of authority, no longer resembling the pleading young lady from the previous night.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Jessica explained that she had conducted an experiment, and only one hotel owner had extended her assistance. She proceeded to present the award to Arthur’s competitor, who, unlike Arthur, had shown compassion towards Jessica and provided her with a small room for the night.
In that moment, Arthur experienced a profound lesson and a shift in his perspective. He vowed to treat his customers and people in general with greater care. Though his business initially suffered, Arthur managed to resurrect it based on his newfound ethical principles.
As Arthur diligently applied compassion to his interactions and learned from his mistakes, he gradually picked himself up and transformed into a better individual.
