13 ONLY 94F? Brrr…

The next day, the news channel was cheering about the drop in the temperature, because it would only be 94F.  The gals ate lots of strawberries and pineapple from the fruit basket, and each had a protein bar for breakfast, in the room.  They’d brought bottles of water from the casino the previous day, so wouldn’t get their coffee for a while.  

The plan today was to head down and check out the pool while it was the coolest time of day.  And they decided to stay indoors in the air conditioning and walk down past the FedEx office, down the escalators and out to where Kodi had spied the pool entrance when they arrived.  Since this area was also going to be the pick up spot for the surprise adventure, they could look around and pinpoint the shuttle bench, that Kiddo mentioned to her.  This plan worked well, and they were soon in a very short line to get checked by security, and pick up their towels.  The next item on the agenda was to try to find a spot where Toos could get a lounger, and  Kodi could find somewhere to lean, LOL.

The walked into the main pool area, and Kodi suddenly shouted “Eureka!”  She couldn’t sprint like a jackrabbit, but hurried as best she could, to where she’d spotted her target, wildly swinging her cane in  arcs, in order to ensure no other faster walkers passed her. 

There they were.  The two perfect lounges for Kodi and Toos, with one more next to them.  Kodi couldn’t have gotten a better seat if she had arranged for a custom installation.

They settled in, and a young lady with a much sexier version of Toos’ leopard print swimsuit, took the third chair shortly afterwards.  She scrolled on her phone for a few minutes, and then cursed.  She searched around and spotted a connection on a pole within arm’s reach, and said to them “ This is probably not allowed, but I hope I can get away with it. I forgot to charge my phone overnight.”  She then attached her charging cord and inserted it into the pole…trying to put everything in a shadow so it wasn’t too visible.  There was a security guard hanging around to the left of them all, but his attention had been elsewhere right then.  

They were in the shade and it was quite comfortable.  Toos went for a dip, but didn’t actually swim and was back shortly, saying the water was freezing.  There were very few people actually in the pool.  None of the reserved ‘beds’  had been claimed, and most of the guests were along the edges of the pool, in the direct sun.  People as they arrived, walked behind the three chairs they occupied, to take one or more of the 4 back there…to drag closer to the pool and into the direct sunshine.

Sometimes they made it 3 feet before the security guard bellowed “No moving the chairs!”  Occasionally, if the guard was busy with something else, someone would make it all the way, before they were admonished.  One guy actually got the first one over to his chosen location, and his girlfriend sat down on it, before he got stopped while dragging the second one, and had to take both back to their original spots.  Eventually, people who wanted shade were sitting in them all, so that took the pressure off the poor guardian. If you people watch, there’s a show nearly everywhere, LOL.

(By the time Kodi and Toos would leave the pool , their area was totally in the sunshine.)

Both the gals made a visit to the restrooms, with help of directions from security…who all seemed polite and conscientious.  One told Kodi about more chairs in the shade, up behind the restroom building, if they wanted to move out of the sun…which was now falling on most of their seating area.  That was good to know, but she wasn’t giving up her personal assist railing.

Toos offered to get a cold drink for them both.  Sounded good. She returned with glasses filled with ice and a pretty pink liquid. “ I noticed that you really liked that pink lemonade at Excalibur the other day. Hope this is okay.”

Thirsty Kodi took a big gulp and sputtered. “There’s alcohol in this!”  “Yes, gin” Toos answered.

Sipping the rest slowly, Kodi really enjoyed it.  Then she asked the inevitable question. “ I’ve heard that drink prices at the pools are outrageous now.  How much were these?”  She nearly choked when Toos replied.  “$40 with the tip.”  She had been really shocked, seeing the prices, but this was her Birthday gift to Kodi..and she had the cash on her, since they hadn’t gambled that day.

After Toos got really hot and actually was able to appreciate a swim in the cold water, then dried off..it was time for them to get back into the air conditioning.

They walked back along the garden path as far as the doors that led into the building where the Nook eatery was.  They grabbed coffee and muffins, and headed upstairs to get ready to go out. After showering and dressing, they still had over an hour before they were slated to leave the hotel.  Kodi checked the hotel bill online, and saw that they had been charged the resort fee for each night they’d stayed so far, as expected, but that they’d also been charged the $30 early check in fee a second time.  She called down to the front desk, who confirmed it had been put on in error, and that it would be removed.  Kodi jokingly said , “and it won’t go on tonight’s bill, right? “  

“That’s correct , Ms Kodi,” the clerk haughtily replied.

Now it was time to check at the Rewards desk, to get help loading her $40 free play.  With only two people in front of her, it wasn’t long until she requested the assistance she needed.  The rep typed, and frowned, then typed some more.  “I’m sorry, but you have no free play available.”

Kodi shook her head…”I do. I’m staying here on an offer of 3 complimentary nights and $40 free play that was good for 

both September and October.”

“No, I’m sorry, but it shows here that you didn’t book using an offer, but just online.”

“Well, it was online of course. I received an email offer, and in the body of it, there was a ‘book now’  button, which I used to set up my trip here.”

“I’m sorry, but when you get those emails, you must always call to book the offer.”

Kodi got her phone out and frantically began to scroll.  “I have that email right here….somewhere.”

By now there were ten people in line behind her, so the rep passed her off to another one, ( or it might have been a cleaning lady passing by) who opened the wicket around the corner, and waited, tapping her fingers on the counter.

“Here! See! It says Book Here, OR call 1 800….”

“Sorry, since you just booked it online, there is no free play.”

“Can you connect me to a host please.”

The clerk phoned someone, wth her back to Kodi, and spoke to them for a couple of minutes, then turned to her, holding out the phone.  “ She wants to speak to you.”

Okay Kodi thought..now to get this resolved. She was asked to explain everything again. Then the host said “ Well, since you booked online, there is absolutely nothing I can do for you.   I’m sorry, but I’m unable to add free play AFTER  you’ve checked in.”   

LIAR!!

Once she hung up, and was standing there looking bewildered and discouraged, the other clerk told her she should check with the front desk, to see what the booking said on THEIR  screen.  Once again of course, there were about 75 people in line, so Kodi, already hot and bothered, decided not to do that right then.  

It was no longer about the money, but the perceived poor customer service .  She was pretty darn sure that the host on the phone could have given her the $40 free play, as a goodwill gesture. She had booked the MLife  rooms in the same manner, and the offer code was automatically shaded into a box. Perhaps the Caesars site did not do that for her…but it still gave her the 3 free nights offered, when she had booked 4 nights at the hotel.

She went back up to the room where Toos was watching television….to put more extra strength deodorant on, and she did some deep breathing after explaining what had transpired. She put herself into the right frame of mind finally, and only wobbled once…when they had to walk past the lobby and the Rewards desk, on the way to their meeting place with the potential ax murderer.