Chapter 7

Summary

• The protagonist reflects on the ironic contrast between finding Mr. Black dead and Rodney asking her on a date.
• She returns to the hotel's fourth floor for the first time since discovering Mr. Black's body.
• In the hotel, she finds herself inconvenienced by guests and experiences a flashback of bumping into someone while on the job.
• A police officer blocks her way, and though irritated, she offers assistance in line with her training in hospitality.
• The officer is outside of Mr. Black's locked suite, which is cordoned off with caution tape.
• While working in Room 407, the protagonist finds a tip and reflects on her grandmother's sayings about patience and money.
• Solidifying her focus on the present and upcoming date with Rodney, she reminisces about their past interactions.
• The protagonist recalls a particular incident involving Rodney, another hotel employee named Juan Manuel, and two intimidating men in a hotel room (305) that she wasn't supposed to clean.
• She mistakenly encounters a secretive and potentially dangerous situation but addresses it with professional courtesy and unwittingly diffuses tension.
• Rodney shows protectiveness and a hint of jealousy, which the protagonist interprets as romantic interest.
• The protagonist showcases her cleaning skills, impressing and bemusing the men in the room.
• Rodney discretely conveys to the others that she is trustworthy and could inadvertently be an asset to their mysterious operations.
• The men, reassured of her discretion, accept her unexpected presence, and Rodney arranges to speak with her privately later.
• The protagonist prepares for the unexpected date by purchasing a new outfit at a boutique, sacrificing her rent money.
• She meets Rodney at the hotel lobby, looking significantly different due to her new clothes and styled hair.
• They proceed to have dinner at the Olive Garden, where Rodney discusses the secretive events of the hotel room and revelations about Juan Manuel's undocumented status and his precarious living situation.
• Rodney divulges that he has been helping Juan Manuel stay at the hotel in secret and asks for the protagonist's assistance in maintaining the secrecy, to which she agrees.
• Rodney expresses gratitude for her help and implies romantic feelings for the protagonist, who eagerly anticipates a kiss.
• The protagonist accepts their arrangement and envisions herself in a Robin Hood-like scenario, participating in Rodney's under-the-table schemes to evade the hotel management's notice.
• The night ends with an awkward kiss, and despite the imperfections of the moment, the protagonist feels elated by Rodney's affection.