As many of you know I enjoy creating stories from prompts, and this one was the result of ‘homework’ from my monthly writer’s meeting. I hope you like this story with a twist in the tale.

A Princely Imposter

The reservation caused excitement and expectation from the hotel staff. It was the main topic of conversation in the staff locker room, the kitchen, and whilst working on room service tasks. The hotel manager, Mr. Grafton, frowned and quietened his staff upon hearing the gossip and conjecture. To his way of thinking celebrities were, for the most part, self-absorbed and downright rude. The hotel’s reputation as a select venue for actors, well known businessmen, and the occasional senator, ensured its popularity. Until now though, no royalty had graced their building.

Mr. Grafton took it upon himself to organize every detail of the royal’s visit, from ensuring the penthouse suite was freshly painted, new linens and décor items purchased, and the door locks changed. No staff members were allowed entry without his presence. He kept the solitary master key clipped to his waistcoat pocket.

On the day of arrival, eager anticipation within the hotel walls was palatable. Mr. Grafton stood tall in a newly purchased three-piece black suit and crisp white shirt at the entrance as a Rolls Royce parked in front of the hotel. Faces pressed against the windows on every level of the six-story building, everyone wanting a first glimpse of the Saudi prince.

The chauffeur opened the rear door and out stepped a man wearing a traditional white Thobe and a keffiyeh around his head. Everyone caught a glimpse of a dark beard and bejeweled hands before he entered the foyer.

Bowing from his waist, Mr. Grafton welcomed their guest and motioned for his luggage to be taken to the penthouse. There was a scurry of footsteps prior to the manager’s deep frown and a quick word for decorum to the bell boys. He escorted the prince to the elevator and bowed again, proclaiming he was at the prince’s beck and call twenty-four seven. The dark-haired man nodded his head and entered the elevator accompanied by a heavy-set man in a dark suit, a noticeable bulge on the left side of the jacket.

Within the hour, the kitchen sent up the preferred delicacies requested by the prince and delivery overseen by the straight-backed manager. Upon his return to his office, Mr. Grafton, triple checked the prince’s itinerary and requests before his rounds of the kitchen, dining room, lounge, and bar. He went through the staffing schedules and made notes.

For a week the prince was afforded every request without exception, including having the swimming pool closed for his private swim every morning at nine o’clock. Meals were prepared to his specifications, and always served in the penthouse. The prince only left the hotel once a day, his destination unknown.

The prince’s departure was once again viewed from every conceivable viewpoint and a collective sigh from the staff issued as tension was released. Mr. Grafton returned home for the first time in seven days, after sleeping in his office all week. The prince assured the manger the account would be settled forthwith as he exited the foyer in a sway of white robes.

Two weeks later the substantial bill was still outstanding. Mr. Grafton’s numerous attempts to contact the prince’s staff to secure payment were unanswered. A month later a newspaper headline shocked the staff, but most of all Mr. Grafton. A man pretending to be a Saudi prince had traveled from state to state, staying in numerous hotels and racking up huge expenses was arrested in Washington. His duplicity discovered when a real Saudi prince happened to stay at the same hotel and advised staff, he did not know the man staying in the executive suite, but also knew he was no relation.