Over the past year, Doug has lost 130 pounds. So he is now a health freak. He woke up at 4:30 that morning to jog. Since we were right next to the interstate, he could only jog around the parking lot. He came back up to the room and smoked out on the balcony. I was sitting at the table doing petty cash receipts.

Doug came in to take a shower and left the door open. When he came out of the shower wearing a towel, he closed the door so he could change without giving Atlanta a free show.

About twelve seconds after he closed the door and walked to the bathroom vanity, the door flew open. What happened next happened very quickly, but it is in slow motion in my memory because of all the thoughts that went through my head.

"Wow, that's a strong wind to blow the door open like that."
"Wait, there was no wind when we had the door open, what the heck is going on?"
"It's probably Justin just fooling around with us, I hope he's prepared to pay for that door if he breaks it."

At this point, I saw the gun: a semiautomatic pistol.

"Why does Justin have a gun?"

Then I saw more the person holding it, mainly the shirt sleeve with the patch on it.

"Oh. It's a state trooper."

"That seems like a pretty small gun for a cop."

"Hmm. He seems to be pointing that at me."

He was. I then thought back to the police video shows they have on TV and the mistakes people make on them. I knew I didn't want to make any sudden moves. I thought about raising my hands, but any movement might have been a bad idea. Then I realized my left hand was holding the envelope I was writing on and my right hand was writing on it. I really couldn't have been less threatening.

Cop: What are you doing?

I looked over at Doug who was still just wearing a towel and a very bewildered look. To add to the humor of the visual, he had a toothbrush sticking out of his mouth.

Ed: Writing.

Doug: Mrping ("Nothing" when said with a toothbrush in one's mouth).

Cop: What are you doing with the door closed?

Ed thinking to himself: The same thing the other thirty rooms in this place are.

Ed aloud: Getting ready.

Doug: Mrping (See above).

Cop: We're looking for someone who ran into this hotel.

Ed: Oh.

Cop: Are you the only two in here.

Ed: Yes, sir.

Doug: Reth ("Yes").

The cop then looked over the room. The look on his face suggested he didn't believe us. Mind you all this time, the gun is still leveled at me, but at least no longer at my head.

Cop: I want you keep this door closed.

Ed: Okay.

Doug: Rkee ("Okay").

He then pull the door shut so hard, it bounced right back open. He was obviously very pissed and he pulled it closed it again. This time it stayed. I slowly looked over to Doug. Apparently, the look on my face was priceless. After a moment of silence. Doug started giggling.

Doug: Rot du frck ws dot?

Ed: Take that out of your mouth.

Never did find out if he caught who we was looking for. We told the cast and they didn't believe us at first. But then one of the girls who was in the room next to us remembered hearing the above conversation in her half-sleep--the door getting kicked open woke her up.

I hope you enjoyed that. Ten minutes after the whole ordeal, I clapped my hands and said "Ooo! Only one week in and I already have a tour story, and it's a doozy." I win all the tour story contests with my friends.