Minute 029: Hotel Breaking

Roger is peeling dollar bills off a roll while negotiating with his mother about the key to Room 796.“I wouldn’t do such a thing!” says Mrs. Thornhill.“Ten dollars?” asks Roger.“Not for all the money in the world!” says Mrs. Thornhill.“Fifty?” offers Roger. “Roger, you are disgraceful,” says Mrs. Thornhill. “Mm-hmm,” agrees Roger. Mrs. Thornhill takes the $50 bill and heads for the front desk. Later, in the hallway in front of Room 796, Roger’s mother is listing all the lawbreaking going on in this adventure. “Car theft, drunk driving, assaulting an officer, lying to a judge, – – and now, housebreaking,” says Mrs. Thornhill.“Not housebreaking, dear – – it’s hotel breaking. There’s a difference,” explains Roger, putting the key in the lock.“Of five to ten years,” replies Roger’s mother. “Just a minute, please!” says a housekeeper. Roger looks up. “Will you want me to be changing your bedding, sir?” asks the housekeeper. “Uh, yes, but not right now,” says Roger, smiling. “Well, I only mention it, sir, ’cause the bed doesn’t seem like it’s been slept in,” replies the housekeeper, “and I was just wondering if I should go on changing the linens.”“Well, thank you for your interest,” says Roger, opening the hotel room. “Come on, dear,” he says to his mother. The two walk into a large suite. “Now, she seemed to think I’m Kaplan,” says Roger. “I wonder if I look like Kaplan?” He looks around the room, examining a dining table, and a correspondence desk. There are several papers on the desk. He picks up a photograph.“Ah, well look – ” begins Roger.