A staff member stops her

Emily is almost inside when she hears a voice with a thick accent she can’t place call to her from behind her.

“Ma’am, you are no allowed to take the towels from the pool deck.”

Emily spins, clutching her treasured piece of fabric against her chest. “W-what?”

It’s a short man with brown skin. His name tag says he’s from the Philippines. He shakes his head and points at a sign above the towel rack. It reads, ‘Towels may not be removed from pool area’.

Emily mutters, “You’ve got to be kidding me…” She looks up at the man, trying to look innocent. “Look, I ummm…misplaced my swimsuit up here. Can I maybe take this towel down to my room to change, then come back and return it later?”

The man shakes his head. “No. We let some people do that last trip and they never returned them. It was a big hassle to get everything back to where it was supposed to.” He holds out his hand. “Please return the towel, ma’am.”

Emily blushes deep red. “B-but…you don’t understand, I’m naked under here! You can’t just make me go naked!”

The man sighs. “Listen ma’am, I’m not sure how you got into this position, but we are firm on the rules here. I can’t let you leave the pool deck with that towel.”

Emily can’t believe it. She’s finally gotten something to cover with, and within a minute it’s about to be taken away again?