Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 28 text:

Minutes later, the door flew open, and in walked a woman, garbed in the rough garb of a chimney sweep. She proceeded to sweep the room, mindful of the sleeping figures by clanging her broom around the room and upsetting the gar- bage pail in the corner two or three times, at the very least. Finally, after leaving a few clean towels, the mysterious stranger left — only to be followed moments later, by another, who spoke quite rapidly to the Pilgrim in a strange language which he could not fathom.

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Pilgrim warily entered the great lobby of the inn. Its dank and gloomy interior further depressed Pilgrim, for he had never seen such gloomy surroundings for an inn. The innkeeper, a veritable giant, gaunt and hollow in appearance, was named Gross Incompe- tence. As he looked around the room. Pilgrim ' s gaze fell upon an elderly couple sitting in the corner. Pray tell me, good innkeeper, who are those figures? Them, snorted the innkeeper, they are lonely refu- gees from life. But sir, cried the Pilgrim, should so many strangers abound where paying guests must tread. And would ye remove them, my inquisitive friend? asked the innkeeper, handing him a key. Here! Your room is in the attic. Thus, Pilgrim began the laborious task of climbing the staircase to his loft. As he reached the top floor, incred- ible filth greeted his eyes, as did the unmade, un- kempt bed. Pilgrim decided to retire early. However, animal-like snoring coming from adjacent quarters made sleep impossible. Finally, as the sun was about to rise, he managed to drift off to the world of sleep.

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Z n 11 1 i ;irf iJISfc3»iL !2 ' . ' . gM mmm. 1 ji f-w, ' ' - ■ ' P ! ■ - i m,. A : -a HI r K ' 1 ilKIIF I I With that, the stranger opened all the windows to the morning chill, and splashed the room with dirty water, and left. Thus, within a few short minutes, the room, which had previously resembled a dark, dry cave, now resembled a heathen swamp — together with the jungle sounds coming from the next room. Slowly, Pilgrim journeyed down the steps, and saw Hy- pocrisy, refreshed by long hours of sleep. Pray, tell me. how could you sleep through the noise and the storm which fills these rooms? Hypocrisy smiled. Why, I am staying at the inn across the road. There the rooms are large, quiet and clean. Yes, but I could not possibly afford such a luxurious room, cried the Pilgrim. But fool. smiled Hypocrisy, the rents are the same! The Pilgrim was beside himself in rage. He stormed over to the innkeeper. Sir. I demand a refund, for I am paying the same amount as my travelling companion and yet ■ the rooms are quite different! The innkeeper replied. My son. you area fool, for I must pay by the bed for the inn ' s accommodations, and so must you. ' I It