I was called upon to travel outside of my region due the fact a colleague had a family emergency. I knew the area I was being sent too so I didn't mind the extra time on the road and in fact, was quite pleased. It is a fairly metropolitan area in the south and I knew it would provide me a change of pace I was craving. I would be there for the last few days of the week and I twisted my bosses arm to allow me a few days on the company card at a nice hotel not too far from the beach. As it was Spring in the South, a few days basking in the sun would add some color to my cheeks and a little boost to my step. SC here I come!
The first day went along fine and with my having crammed the night prior, I was pretty much up on what corporate would have me do and know. The meeting didn't go too much past 3 as the traffic in this area was horrific and if you weren't on the highway by 3:30, it was a parking lot! The hotel I booked was in the heart of downtown and offered many niceties that I wanted to splurge on. Restaurants and bars were all within walking distance and my mind was drifting to my night's activities when I heard a man clear his voice. I turned around to find one of the "heads" standing behind me. I had never met him before and after he began questioning me it became clear he was curious as to why I was there and not the regional guy. I explained there was a family emergency and I was not too far away when the call came in that they wanted me there. I had heard through the grapevine that he was tough and demanding so I pulled my shoulders up and back and meet his stare head-on. He asked if I was comfortable and had everything I needed. That puzzled me but I assured him I knew the area, and all was fine. He bid me good-night and left me to finish getting my papers in order. Strange I thought.