Katie's New Room

Katie had been doing her absolute best, and Tania had been very supportive of her thus far. Being called into her managers office was nerve wracking, none the less.

She steadied her nerves and smoothed her uniform before entering the boss's lair.

“Katherine,” Tania said, removing her ruby rimmed glasses and evaluating the girl who had just entered her office. She let the tension linger for a moment, allowing Katie a chance to imagine terrible news before she said, “I just wanted to let you know how pleased we are with your work.”

Katie absolutely lit up as the magic of her new transformation washed over her. A beaming grin spread across her face like the sun on a summer day.

“Everyone is impressed with your work ethic, and how quickly you’ve been learning the ropes around here,” Tania continued. “Multiple managers have even asked if they can poach you from the liaison team, you did such good work for them.”

Titania enjoyed watching Katie try to manage the overwhelming joy she was experiencing from the effusive praise. She was trying to thank Tania, but failing to find the words or manage her breathing.

“What’s more, you did such a good job with the guests, and the challenge, that you’ve earned the top prize.”

Katie started to bounce on the balls of her feet with unrestrainable giddiness.

“We were going to give you one of the vacated cabanas of the guest winners if you tried hard. But you did so well, we decided to upgrade you. Let me show you to your new room!”

Tania continued to heap praise on Katie as she walked her through the central hotel, to the theme room area. Every compliment felt better than getting a unicorn for Christmas.

Katie was aware of this wing of the hotel. The theme rooms ranged from Sherlock Holmes’ study, to Hugh Heffner’s lounge, and she briefly worried that she was about to be gifted something bizarre.

“I had your coworkers pick one out for you, we do hope you like it. They’re all very proud of you.”

That gave her a different kind of feeling. Someone being proud of her felt fuller and warmer than just being told she’d done a good job. She felt it more in her chest than her face. Katie had to take a deep breath to make enough space for the feeling inside her.

The door swung open to reveal the softest looking room she’d ever seen. The cream colored carpet was thick and lush, with heavy padding beneath. There was no bed. Instead, there were moveable mattresses scattered about the floor, and a large round pit in the center rimmed in padding and overflowing with pillows and blankets. There wasn't a surface in the whole place which someone couldn't comfortably lounge.

“They call it Slumber Party Headquarters,” explained Tania. “I think a few of the girls are hoping you’ll have them over some night. What do you think?”

It took a minute for Katie to get her smile under control enough to form intelligible words. “Permission to be a little unprofessional for a moment?” she asked.

“It’s your room sweetie,” said Tania. “You’re not on the clock in here.”

Katie kicked off her shoes, bounded across the room, and let herself fall backwards into the snuggle pit, laughing with unrestrained delight.

“Good girl,” said Tania, before closing the door.

Those words sparked a whole new kind of joy in her. It was more primal, more guttural, her whole abdomen was aglow with the delight.

As she laid in her huge pile of pillows with a smile she couldn’t shed, her whole body tingling with the delight of her work being appreciated, she thought that she could ride the high of that day for a whole month. She also wondered what she could possibly do to feel this good ever again.