One of many more stories to come!

4 star prestigious hotel in Paris, working regularly as night audit. I was forced to work in a suit even though there were rarely late night check-ins.

Classy decoration on the lobby with vintage scientific artifacts (because it is near Curie's institute) such as vials, sandclocks and ancient medicine books. Full of portraits, mirrors and my favorite: a false bookshelf which was actually a hidden door to the back office where I used to doze off for a couple of minutes.

I had the usual guest coming down for a night cap or a bottle of water. I got the occasional small talk, and the obliged question was "are you awake all night?" to which I always thought: do they really think I like to wear a suit to sleep or what?

Anyway... Out of boredom I started inventing myself new replies, and one of the best I ever came with was:

"Oh yes sir, I'm awake all night. As a matter of fact I haven't slept for years to be honest"

Coming from a guy in a suit in this context, who just came through a hidden door behind a bookshelf, I had all sorts of reactions, the best being a sleepy guest running up the stairs, kid left behind crying in the lobby.

🧛🏻