So there is this one guy who has always had the ability to scare me.
Not scare in the Shaggy and Scoobie sense, but scare me in the oh-my-god-I-respect-you-so-much kinda sense.
We'll call him DT.
He's a middle aged balding scottish guy. He comes across as being quiet and ill tempered,it is near impossible to read his mood from his face as it gives nothing away.
Ever.
But actually he is one of the most decent guys you could meet.
He's tore a strip off me on occasion and when he bollocks you, boy do you feel it.
He has also granted me the most incredible favours.
But that's another blog.
When I was back in London years ago I rose through the company quite quickly.
I went from a common Reception Manager to Front of House Manager in two and a half years and only because he promoted me.
Back in the day the Front of House Manager looked after the business of the hotel. You did everything you could to maximise your revenue, to fill those rooms.
You yielded that hotel and managed the business.
He looked after my career.
I have a couple of stories about him, one stands out more than any other;
One morning my phone rang, I knew it was him.
''Good Morning Neil'' he began.
I gulped.
Had I done something wrong?
And if so, what?
''Good Morning DT'' I replied.
''Neil, your average room rate. How did that happen?'' he said inb his usual Scottish accent, sounding like Taggart.
He was referring to the unusually low average room rate. It was low because there was a large group in house and they were not paying good money.
And he, as the Revenue Director, looked at these figures every morning.
But thats not what I told him.
''Well Mr Tilley'' I began ''You take your total room revenue and divide it by the number of rooms occupied.''
You could almost hear him smile at the other end of the line.
''I know how to fucking do it, Neil'' he said.
And I blushed.
I have dined out on this story ever since.
And I'm telling you this because he came to the hotel today to attend the second year anniversary dinner.
And when I saw him in the lobby I froze, as I usually do with him.
Only for a second but I did.
And he's the only man who can do it to me.
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