Holiday Inn Airport 1964-7

The Preface	I was 17 and in high school when I began this journey in Februrry 1964. I got the job because my mother worked there as a coffee shop waitress. She would start at 5AM. Her future husband delivered milk about that time.
The Pay	I had to join an AFL-CIO union which meant I made 85¢/hr. Low because you made tips. I reckon it was worth it because a few months later the union gave me a scholarship for University of Minnesota. When I became a desk clerk, Mar 5, 1966, I made $1.05/hr. Probably didn't earn as much but the job was so easy compared to all the duties dumped onto bellmen (as you will read below).
The Phrase	There was a phrase that I came to hate. It was used way too often. After I put the luggage into the room I would hand the key over and ask if there was anything else. It is at this point that you are suppose to tip me, eh? Instead of cash I would be complimented with: "Thank you. You are a scholar and a gentleman". I would exit thinking, you cheap bastard, you don't know me, how can you say that? A search on the Internet shows that it is a quote from Catcher in the Rye.
Musical Guests I met	Roger Miller (and wife in his Cadillac convertible), Serendipity Singers (twice), Brothers Four (twice), New Christy Minstrels, Al Hirt, Four Lads, Lefty Frizell and the Animals.
Rolling Stones June 9 - 13, 1964	Before they were famous they toured the States and they stayed in HIA all over the country. They toured for 3 weeks in June and stayed in Mpls for four days. The Stones performed at Excelsior Amusement Park, and were not well received. I have a few stories. Since they weren't famous, no one knew them and they had no where to go. They stayed in the motel and were at the pool getting sun most of the time. There many stories about these guys with long hair and one couldn't tell if they were a boy or girl. Absolutely true. One day Brian Jones wanted shampoo which could be bought at the front desk with other sundries (before the days of vending machines). And it took a long to time to obtain as no one could understand what he was saying. Well, on the day of their concert they ordered hamburgers and I was on duty to carry it up to the room. Mick and Keith were in the room getting dressed and the manager was rushing in and out between the rooms getting them to speed up. So amidst all this I show up and Mick tells me to put the tray down at a certain spot. And I do; it tips, spilling orange juice all over the burgers. So I go to the kitchen and explain that I need the order done again only to be told by the redneck cook that he ain't doing it for them queers. And that is how I ended up cooking new burgers for them myself. It was a year later before I would realize who they were. From someone's blog: "One of their stops that year was in Excelsior, Minnesota at the Excelsior Fair. They played in a small teen club called Danceland on the grounds of the Excelsior Amusement Park on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. That night they were the opening act for the one hit wonder, The Castaways, of "Liar Liar" fame. The Castaways consisted of five Minnesota kids who had gone to local high schools around the Minneapolis suburban area. The Stones took the stage at their appointed time and were promptly booed off the stage by the unruly mob of teens gathered to see the local heros, The Castaways."
Rolling Stones II	A year later two girls asked to have a certain room. They told me it was the room the Stones brought them to after the concert. By then the Stones were famous so I thought I would get the registration forms which would have their signatures. We kept forms on hand for 7 years for tax purposes. They were put into boxes and the boxes were in a low, small storage room. I spent many hours searching but never found them.
Beatles	So close, but.... I was the one who took the message off of the teletype. It said that the Beatles were staying at Holiday Inns and requested rooms for the night before they were to play at Metropolitan Stadium (HIA right next to stadium and next to the airport so we were a perfect choice). I was in heaven. But the manager was having visions of the place being overrun by teenage girls and press, so he told me to reply that we were full and unable to make the reservation. It turned out that they ended up in a hotel in downtown Minneapolis. That didn't stop hundreds of girls arriving at the motel based on rumors or pure speculation that the Beatles would be there. article
Beatles II	George's sister, Louise Harrison Caldwell, stayed for a few weeks in 1965, while she was on local radio station WDGY chatting and answering listeners' questions and plugging her record. I spoke to her a few times. Seemed to be pleasant professional business woman who always ordered tea, not coffee.
Hippies!!!!	The Mamas and Papas stayed a few days. They said they had driven here from Alaska in their Cadillac. This was before they were famous. Since they looked like hippies the manager had me run a check on their credit card. It came back as valid, so then he made me verify the licence plate number.
The We Five	Jan 14, 1967. I picked them up from the airport and had to make two trips because they came with their instruments, including a drum set.
The Ronettes	By now I was used to musical acts arriving in convertible Cadillacs. Phil Specter's was a pink one. I saw the trio without makeup and without their hair piled high - they were tiny little things and I felt sorry for them as Phil seemed to always be bullying them about.
The Beach Boys	It was winter. I imagine you are familiar with how static electricity happens when you walk on carpet. Well, this one night Mike Love was running down the hall naked and shouting: "Touch me, I'm electric". I didn't see it but heard about from a guest who had.
The Herman's Hermits	July 10, 1966. The night before they had performed and on the way to the airport they came in for lunch followed by quite a few screaming girls. I was on duty as desk clerk, but the boss told me to keep the girls out of the dining room. Once I managed to do that he told me to be the group's personal waiter. I had never been one, but I think I managed to get the right food to the correct person. And I was to hover at the table waiting if they should want something. Me, being me, I began to joke around with them. I got a nice tip. A week or so later I got a letter to HIA from Keith Hopwood, rhythm guitarist.
Credit Cards	These weren't that common back then. But businessmen usually had one. We had a list of bad/stolen cards at the desk. But the truth is we hardly checked. Only if the person seemed suspicious. I caught one young guy. He had asked for connecting rooms and he certainly didn't look like a family man. So I asked him to pay ahead. He used a card. Later there was complaints about noise coming from those rooms and sure enough he had a party going on. I checked his card number and it was stolen. So I called the police who came for him.
The WWF	Picked up two guys who were going to Control Data (down the road from HIA). They had too much to drink on the flight and were trying to convince me that they were a wrestling tag team. All the way to their room.
The Rooms	Most rooms had twin beds, a few had a double. They went for $16 (single) and $18 (double occupancy) plus $2.50 for extra person. I would move in a roll-a-way bed. We had a honeymoon suite that went for $20 and a large suite with kitchenette ($30).
The Girl	The longest stay we had was a family from Jackson, MN. Their house burnt down and insurance put them up in the large suite. Why, so far from Jackson I don't recall. What I do remember was that there was a boy and a girl and they were bored silly being trapped while parents were off to work. The girl was nice looking and while I was desk clerk she would come down to talk to me. I wanted to take her out but felt it would be incorrect and I doubt that her parents would have allowed it. Still I told her when they left I would visit her in Jackson. Of course, I never did. I am not that much of a dreamer.
The Slob	Dick was an overweight slob of a cook. Dark black stuble and totally unkemp. One night after everyone had gone home or to bed, he decided he was going to have a swim (outdoor pool). So he stripped down to boxers and still wearing his boots strolled out into the night. A sight I will never forget, as much as I try. He would come out of the kitchen looking like a slob to get a glass of milk filled with ice cubes. I wondered how many people got up and left without ordering.
The Worst Duty	The small meeting room was converted into a bar. Manager thought it would be a great idea for me to walk around the pool and ask guests if they wanted to order a drink. No one did. This was a Holiday Inn, meant for families. The business men were at work during the day and not out there. Plus we would rent a room for a couple hours to families to use as changing room giving them access to the pool. I really hated the rejection.
The Inspectors	They tried to catch us unawares. But whenever an inspector left a nearby HIA we were warned about them. I recall that the Head Maid would put on white gloves and then run her fingers along edges (say the mirror) looking for built up dust. The bellman being low man on the totem pole would be given all kinds of emergency cleaning duty. One night, after finishing at 11PM, I was asked to stay on and give the kitchen a good clean. So much grease, everywhere, especially the filters above the grills. I recall it getting to be 4AM and the cook would be arriving at 5AM and there I was trying to mop the floor and get it dry in time. I was totally worn out.
The Cut	It may have been the same night as above. I was doing the night shift cleaner job. I pushed a bucket of rubbish into the outside dumpster and in the process cut my hand on a broken glass. I can still remember the smell of the garbage.
The Drowning	I was a bellman when a fellow was pulled from the pool. I wouldn't have known what to do but luckily, Chuck (cook) did. He forced a pen to hold done the tongue and did the mouth to mouth. Ambulance took the guy and his wife to Methodist hopsital. Hours later the manager told me to bring them back. Well, I knew where the hospital was but not how to get to it from Highway 100. So I wasted time driving back and forth until I finally made it. The two of them were only in their swimsuits and freezing. I was so embarassed to have not brought along something, even towels. Couldn't think of anything to say either. They were obviously upset that it had taken me so long. Half an hour drive and it took me more than an hour.
The Wally	Walter Becek was a millionaire. He had pads of $1 bills (you know, glued together on one edge) specially made and he would peel off five of them at a time as a tip. Even though we were not supposed to do so, the manager had me act as his personal chauffeur and bring him to a night club in South St Paul. One time I delivered three meals to his room and in it with him were two elderly ladies. I thought it strange that they didn't eat in the diningroom, as guest rooms didn't have a table. He would stay at least once a year. And each time he had five newly tailored sports jackets (don't think he wore suits per se) delivered. Wear it once, throw it away type of guy. He was a loud character, too. Wanted everyone to know that he was RICH.
The Pemberton	Bald headed, rimmed glasses, a black mustache and a squeeky voice. He was brought on board as Catering Manager and he over stepped his bounds becoming the "kitchen Nazi" always on the outlook for wastages. As in, staff taking things like the odd Coke or ice cream after hours without paying. He came from Wisconsin and lived in the basement, so he was always there. No one liked him and we made life so difficult for him that he quit after a short while. We never had another CM.
The Catheter	An elderly (70s) Mr Johnson was on the Northwest Airlines Board (and others) and stayed at the Inn whenever he flew in for a meeting. One time he need to pee and couldn't, so I was told to bring him to Methodist Hospital. Luckily, I now knew the way as he was in great pain. Well, the receptionist wouldn't admit him until he filled out forms and could be judged able to pay. He just wanted a catheter put in immediately and he'd pay afterwards. No, forms first. Was a great lesson for me. Here was a powerful, rich man being leveled to begging by a clerk wanting to follow rules. So much for ER service.
The Producer	Another rich dude was from California where he made films. He had his own jet and that was the only time I ever drove to that area of the airport's complex. I am certain that he flew the plane himself.
The Rental I	Budget Rent-A-Car had an office next to the lobby. Just a desk really. I would pick up their cusomers at the airport and return them. An agent would come ahead of time to sign a car out. But most of the time no one was on duty when a car was returned so we would accept the keys and note the time.
The Rental II	In the middle of snow storm at night a guy came and said he had to get to the airport NOW. He wouldn't allow me to transfer his luggage to the courtesy car. I told him I couldn't drive a stick (manual) shift. He said he would teach me as he drove us to the airport in the VW. So there I was. Luckily, the car was running and I figured I got into first (but who knows which gear it was). I drove it that way at around 30mph the whole way on the motorway and luckily there wasn't much traffic. When I hit the bottom of the off ramp I didn't stop at the bottom and made it back. A drive I will never forget. btw I was forced to drive VW's two more times (Oct 1981- Strom's and Newsy on 1967) and survived those, too.
The Coffee Shop	Being next to The Metropolitan stadium the cafe had sports decor. There were large round white light bulbs hung over the counter. I painted on "stitching" to make them look like baseballs. Highway Patrol officers had their break in it (the coffee was free). It was said, though I never needed to do it, that if pulled over by them, tell them that you are either going to work at or coming from work at the Holiday Inn. You would get off with a warning.
The Referrals	HIA had a policy that if we were full we would find a room. And we did. We would call the nearest motel, Thunderbird, then Howard Johnson and going the other direction, The Airliner Motel. In June 1966 the Airliner sent me $6.50 as commission. So you know which one I called first after that. For Christmas they sent me a canned ham.
The PBX	We had phone operators but everyone manned the lines at some stage. It meant plugging in a cable to the flashing light which would be an outside line coming in or a room calling. One of the most common things that I would say was either: "Holiday Inn please hold" or "front desk, please hold" because of many simultaneous calls happening.
The TELEX	We had a Telex system that was used for reservations. It was similar to the one in the photo but also had a card reader. We had cards for the most common HIAs near us and would save having to dial in the long distance phone number. As you typed the message would be typed onto the receiving Telex. It made a loud clattering noise and since it was a live line I would rush to read it and then type a reply. At first it the machine was in the lobby so guests would be able to answer questions. Later it was moved into a back room.
The Baby	The secretary, Bobbi, had a baby and left. Everyone was positive that the manager was the father.
The Logs	There was a trolley in the lobby holding various products of a company. I found Stuckey's Pecan Logs irresistible and at 25¢ a pop a bit expensive for me.
The Fit	An elderly couple were in the lobby when she had an epileptic fit. A first for me. She went down thrashing on the floor. I ran over to help hold her and was shocked at how strong she was in fighting me and her husband.
The Vicks	In June 1966 Mr Moran, a travelling salesman for Vicks, left today and gave me a pile of products, nasal inhalers, Vaporub, cough drops etc...
The Skipper	Recognized a "skipper" (person who leaves motel without paying) from last year. A large effeminate colored fellow using a Duluth address again but "Mr. Brown" whereas last year he was "Mr. Green". I told Gillette who called the cops. Turned out that he had just shot someone at Howard Johnson's, so police were staking out our place should he return. He never did and I wonder if I tipped him off in someway that I remembered him.
The Vending 1	On slow days or when a customer complained it was the bellman's job to fill the vending machine. There was a cigarette one in the lobby and that was easy. The soda one used glass bottles. You had to carry up a crate from the basement.
The Vending 2	We sold sundries (toiletries, aspirin etc...) from behind the desk. Eventually that was replaced by a vending machine and at the same time a candy bar machine was put in. These were loaded by the vendor, so no concern to me.
The Vending 3	A paperback book machine was also added to the collection. This mean that books would be left behind in rooms. And they became a source of free reading material for the cleaning staff. Here are some of the 16 titles I scored: Jack the Ripper, His Own Man, Rampage...not best sellers, eh?
The Room Service	After carrying luggage to a room, bringing ice, drinks and food was the other source of tips. Didn't expect a tip for a bucket of ice, but bringing a whole meal was another matter. The bellman had to put the dishes, cutlery, coffee pot etc... onto a large (30in x 18in) tray in the kitchen. It had to be distributed properly so that when you hefted it up on one shoulder and held in place by one hand it was balanced. Achieving that you then had to go through the swinging door into the coffee shop, try to avoid customers sitting at the counter, through the lobby up three steps and down the hall. If you were unlucky, you would have to carry it up the stairs to upper level. Once in a room you had to figure out where to put it; not as easy as it sounds. Then there was the thankless job of returning the trays which would be left in hall - no tip for that and usually the things weren't balanced and had to be picked up from the floor.
The Poker	When Norm began in 1966 as night clerk, he would get up poker games with me, the night man and the dishwasher. We'd play in the office. But eventually games were got up at his house. I recall Kincy and Dick Jasper (he cleaned us out once) coming along. One time I won $5.75 in poker and then beat Norm by 3040, at penny a point, in canasta. So he gave me a green lambs wool v-neck sweater.
The Slam	I slammed the courtesy car door and my left hand fingers. Luckily, no blood or anyhing broken. Apparently, I went into shock and turned white. Someone put me onto the bed of Room 101. And I really don't remember anything more about it.
The Dishes	At least one time I was put onto washing dishes/silverware. The machine itself was a large monster. You had to spray the food off of the item and then put into a basket/tray. Once full you put into the washer and turned it on. The tray moved slowly through the noisy cleaner and at the end spending a couple minutes with hot air being blasted. Theoretically, they came out dry at the other side and you would remove them to their places inthe kitchen.
The Programming	A guest was hired by Control Data to write a heart monitor program for NASA. When he heard I was doing computers at university he offered me and Tom Sullivan a job to code in FORTRAN. He would draw the schematic for us and we did the rest. Once he had the contract he moved out to a bachelor's pad and that was where we would meet.
The Goldberger	A regular who would fly up from Florida to check on his meat processing plant. He would arrive in his son's Cadillac. A regular hypochondriac. He never made a reservation. He would call from the airport and I always said: "Of course, for you, we have a room". When I was bellman I knew I'd only get a quarter out of him for carrying his bags to the room. On May 20, 1967 I told him that it was my last day. He shook my hand, gave me $5 for drinks and his card and said if I ever needed a job... Later, in the 80's when we were back in the States I ran across an article about King Food (his place, probably then owned by his son) in South St Paul being raided and 300 illegal Mexican workers found.
Tha Jap Chaps	Mitsuyasu Yanigasawa and Satoru Yamagami stayed in 1965 for a few months while they attended training at CDC which was a block away. I became friends and one day they showed me one of their suitcases that was jammed with Japanese food items. They didn't like American food and had packages sent from home. They had me try a few and I could say that the feeling was mutual. Satoru left leaving Mitsu by himself. Without a car the guy was sort of a prisoner. So I would take him out to the local shopping areas when I finished work at 7PM. He loved being in American culture first hand. Had him try bowling one night. Another time my car had a problem and we stopped at a gas station. The young kid said it needed new brushes and he could do it. I thought Mitsu might have be a bit upset about hanging out in a cold garage, but he was fascinated with exploring all the car related equipment and parts. He said he would never have a chance to do it back in Japan.
The Marquee	The message on the large Holiday Inn sign would change frequently (almost daily). It would be used for promotions but mainly just to welcome a group. The letters were about 12" high (.60cm) and were hoisted about fifteen feet up individually using an aluminum pole. They would hook onto a crossbar. Once in a while I would have to do it. That meant removing the existing letters and then building the new message. No big deal you might say, but try doing it at night in the middle of a Minnesota winter. 20°F below and a wind to boot.
The Airport	As bellman one of my jobs was to bring customers back and forth to the airport. Back then it was a simple place to handle. Upper level departures, lower level arrivals. We didn't have a proper vehicle with signage as we used any Budget rental car that was available. So I would need to park and then get out of the car and yell "Holiday Inn". Most of the time it worked. But many times I would have to go into the airport itself and hope to find them. After a wait I would use the motel's phone inside and ask for permission to come back without the customer. Once in awhile I would need to fill the car at the Super America station at the airport.
The Overnighter I	Some weekends I would work until 11PM and then work the next morning at 7AM. Instead of a long drive each way I would bunk down in a vacant room. If no rooms were available I sleep on a roll-a-way stored in the basement. One night in August 1966 the door must have not been locked as two drunken guys came down at 4AM looking for a trumpet and I scared the Bejesus out of them. I don't make this stuff up!!!
Overnighter II	Dec 26, 1965. After finishing at 11PM one December night I stayed on to have a coffee with a guest, Mr Jernigan. We ended up talking until 3:30AM. My car wouldn't start. So I stayed the night. In the morning a local garage, Glen's, couldn't start it, so they towed it to the station and let it thaw out inside. So I spent even more time just hanging around before eventually making it home.
The Sex I	Once in a while a fellow (95% of airport pickups were male businessmen) would ask me where he could find a woman, if you know what I mean. I had to tell them that I hadn't the slightest idea.
The Sex II	Once I overheard a guy ask the ugly old female desk clerk where to find someone in hushed tones. And she drew him aside and whispered something in his ear. I didn't like her from the start (her perfume was horrendous) and any respect I had her went out the window.
The Sex III	One night when I was getting licence numbers I found a car down by the basement delivery door. Fearing it might be burglars, I got the dishwasher to join me. When I turned the flashlight on we saw this couple making out. It happened to be the night auditor and a guest. During a airport staff strike, people were brought in from around the area. Norm got friendly with one of them, so much so that when the strike ended and she went home he would drive to North Dakota to see her.
The Sex IV	Bruce was an extremely handsome young cook. Don't know how it happened. Maybe a guest saw him when he came into the coffee shop. Anyhow there was a hushed conversation and Bruce went off with the guy. Bruce came back looking scared. He told me that the guy offered him $100 to do something (sorry folks I really don't remember what - use your imagination). Flash forward a few months and I am bringing this fellow from the airport and he asks me if Bruce was working. Since I don't lie, I told him "Yes". When we got there he rushed straight into kitchen without checking in. Bruce turned him down and broke his heart.
The Students	October 1965: I had checked in a couple of good looking sharpies who wanted a room to "study" for university. They kept coming down to the front desk to bother me. I brought a room service to them around 10:30PM and they invited me up after I finished working. As it would happen the night man, Gary L, was sick didn't show up so I worked until 12:30AM. A third one, Myrna, showed up with gin - she left around 3:30AM, Judy fell asleep at 4AM. I ended up staying until 5AM talking to Nancy and I had to sneak the master key back to the front office as Merle (the night clerk) thought I had left around 12:30AM.
The Vikings I	The Minnesota Vikings NFL team stayed the Saturday night before home games. They drifted in during the afternoon being dropped off in their expensive vehicles. I would check them in so I can honestly say that I spoke to every player individually once I became a desk clerk. It was interesting to see the different personalities from the super cocky (Rentzel) to the genuinely polite (most) and down to the very humble (Osborne).
The Vikings II	After supper they had a meeting in which they went over the playbook for the game. Then they were to be in their rooms for a 10PM curfew. Well, while I was a bellman I would bring sandwiches, burgers etc to the rooms. It was not unusal to find in the remotest room a cigar smoke filled poker game going on with plenty of booze being consumed. I always got a very generous tip in the silent understanding that I would never tell - sorry Carl.
The Vikings III	I happened to be on hand on Feb 11, 1967 when a press conference was held in the meeting room to announce that Norm Van Brocklin had resigned. Reporters and film crews jammed in all over the place. I never saw the news that night so I don't know if I may have been seen into the background.
The Vikings IV	When I worked Sunday mornings it was common for a player or two to hand me an envelop with tickets for the game to be picked up by someone. One time Lance Rentzel gave me two tickets to use. Since I was working I couldn't go to the game so I sold them for $10 - don't remember to whom.
The Uniforms	Bellmen shared a cheap red cotton jacket. Maids in white. Coffee shop waitresses had yellow cotton blouses brown skirts and aprons. Dining room waitresses had black satin dresses with white frills on neck collars and wrists.
The Tips	I knew ahead of time because my mother was a waitress, that you had to keep track of your tips and declare them on your tax return. I believe the best I ever made was $11.50. It must have been a full 8 hour shift.
The Staff	General Mgr: Steven Gillette, Mgr: Gregg Johnson, David Chaika, Catering Mgr: Pemberton Secretary: Bobbi Head Maid: Sis Brooks Maids: Ursula (German accent - older), Nancy (hot blonde), Leah (beautiful), Sharon (naive redhead), Marcia Makousky (high school Homecoming Queen), Sue Thorson (blonde), Ruthie (old and funny) and Rosie. Desk Clerks: Me, David Chaika, Lorinda and an ugly old lady Night Auditor: Merle F (metal leg) and Norm Boncek Phone Operator: Lorinda Hockstader, Judy Sausen, Sue Gillette, Gregg's sister Bellmen: Gary Hoffer, Mike Knapp, Larry Forsman, Joe Chambers and Kincy Daniels. Cooks: Bruce, Manny R, Chuck, Gary C, Dick Jaspers Dishwashers: Russ, Tom Makousky Night Man: Lloyd Waitresses: Mom, Carole and Rosalie Lyng, Katie, Ruth Grant, Sue Herring, Candy and Blanche (Swedish).
From a letter	I remember the Holiday Inn at 34th and 494. They tore the building down and now it is a car park. You are right it must be the best job ever. But "job". Let me list the things I did over the years. Hired as a bellman and you know what that means - carrying bags, doing room service. I also was chauffer picking up and delivering people to the airport. A few times I also was an ambulance driver bringing people to a hospital. I was a maid. Sometimes after the maids had left work a room might need to be "done" and it would fall to me to make the beds scrub the bathroom, vacuum dust etc… When things were slow I would open and restock the vending machines. In the winter it was up to we bellman to shovel the entry way. It was the bellman's job to change the lettering on the HIA sign. The letters were 12" high and we used a 20' aluminium pole to dislodge them from the sign then put up the new message. I had to do that in the winter in a snow storm once: "Welcome blah blah company" or some such thing. The job I hated the most was having to go around the pool and ask people if they would like a drink from the bar. I never had one person say "yes". HIA was a family motel not like the Thunderbird where the rich stayed and drank accordingly. Rarely, when the dining room became swamped I'd be thrown in there to be a busboy to clear tables or into the kitchen to wash dishes. One Sunday we had Hermans Hermits coming to eat on the way to the airport and I was put in charge of security. I had to keep the throng of teenage girls in the lobby away from the restaurant. Then the boss told me to be HH's personal maitre d', so in I went and took their orders brought their drinks and supervised the waitress delivering the food. I basically was told to stay at the table for their beck and call. Was I embarrassed? All the stares from normal customers in the room at these weirdoes with long hair and accents and I was suppose to do what? No training. Just stand there for an hour! Then clear the way through the girls on the way out. The next MalleyGram will have the Rolling Stones story. At times when the guy didn't show up I would stay and be the night man - he was a bellman but things were slow with everyone sleeping so his job was to clean the kitchen, dining rooms, toilets, meeting rooms and lounge. Most nights I would go into the parking lot and write done all of the license plate numbers (see we didn't trust the guests - some crooks and some forgetful who would make up a number for the registration doc) and then cross check them against the reg docs. In case someone left in the morning without paying we'd have a better chance of tracking them down. Eventually I was promoted to desk clerk which again is probably self-evident in its tasks. He was the guy in charge when the manager was gone. I was always in trouble because I would let rooms out at single price after being told to only put doubles in to it (a difference of $2) or in the morning at checkout a guy would say that he saw the rate on the door and he was being overcharged. I'd reduce it to what it should be. I got nasty letters from the general manager and had my pay docked accordingly. My first taste at having to be a professional liar and I failed. Then in May 1966 I also was the Night Auditor once in awhile. He is the 11PM-7AM shift and after midnight the place was dead, so I would then set about balancing the books for the day. That meant the intake from the restaurants, bar and desk. Everything had to be right to the penny. It was pretty straight forward for a mathematician and could be done in less than two hours which usually meant four hours of free time. The night man was busy with his work, so I would usually then be paid while reading or doing my university studies. I love meeting people so the bellman period was my favourite. I would get to know them while driving them to the motel from the airport. People going to the airport weren't very chatty. We had long-term guests and regular returning guests. Some became friends. We had the Vikings there the day before each home game. We had musicians and famous people stay. The job was so varied and never a dull moment. I have so many stories and they are scattered throughout my website, but one day I might pull them all together into one spot.

Back to Memories