Day 10 - Sikeston, MO - Part Four

Priscilla works pretty much non-stop while performing a running monologue to anyone that will listen.

She's the hostess that works in the self-serve breakfast area at the hotel we are staying at.

Priscilla isn't a tall or large woman but because of her energy level, she does have a commanding presence about her.

I'm having breakfast by myself in this room and I can't help but watch her. She's running an obstacle course and never stops to take a break. First, she's at the coffee station. Then, BOOM, she's reloading scrambled eggs and biscuits. Gives a quick stir to the gravy before moving on the fix the automatic pancake maker. With all of the food and beverage items in good shape, she moves on to bussing tables and sweeping the floor.

She goes in the back to wash her hands and returns to start the whole pattern all over again.

She's operating in a 15 minute cycle.

Now while she is doing this, she is chatting with everyone.

Using laughter as a period for all of her sentences.

There's classic rock playing loudly from the back. I've been in a few Holiday Inn Express' over the last 10 days but usually all you can hear is FOX News.

I quickly realize that it is because it is Priscilla's radio.

"We're closing up in ten minutes, folks! I hope you've had enough to eat because I gotta pack it up!" announces Priscilla.

A Journey song comes on while she is near me and she says, "I just LOVE Journey."

"Journey or Steve Perry?" I ask.

"Oh, I loved Steve Perry! That voice! The long hair. Those tight slacks! He was so cute!"

"So you don't like the new Filippino lead singer for Journey? He sounds just like him, right?"

Priscilla will have none of that.

"That new lead singer is NO STEVE PERRY! He may sound a LITTLE like him but honey, nobody can replace Steve Perry. NOBODY!"

Laughter punctuates that last nobody.

We go on to talk about bands that were in the hey day between 1980 and 1981. She's listing off album names and describing the artwork.

She knows her shit.

More than anything, she is having a great time at work and she loves her music. The old manager wouldn't let her listen to the radio but the new manager is more open to it. She really likes working for her.

She tells me that she likes her job. She gets to meet people from all over. And she's done with work by 11:00 a.m. every day.

I pack up my stuff and wish her a good day.

She laughs and says "Remember, you can't replace Steve Perry!"

I'll remember.