Keyholes

So I'm in Korea. That in itself is OK, although its really hard to get too excited about it after China. Maybe its because I'm not in the throbbing heart of it, as it were, or maybe because I'm on new-experience overload after the last month. Or just maybe its because the damn place is more expensive than the US.

So, after a hard day at work - actually half a day - I come back to the hotel for an afternoon kip.
I get to the room door and...can't find the keyhole.
OK, I'm tired. I can get that. So I take a deep breath, then try again. Nope, no keyhole. I'm pretty sure I'd been able to find it alright the day before, but wherever it is I can't see it.

So its back to the front desk with perhaps the strangest complaint I've ever made.
"Excuse me, the keyhole on my door has disappeared".

Now, I supposed I'd been hoping for a small laugh and a quick reply of "Ah yes, of course sir. We have all the keyholes cleaned and reamed out every Thursday afternoon. If you'd like to relax for 10 minutes in the bar with a complimentary gin and tonic we'll have it replaced immediately". What I wasn't hoping for was a blank stare for a very long 10 seconds, then a slowly-raised index finger pointing at my key, which I was holding up hopefully as if to prove that I had been able to open my door at some point.

"You use this key, sir".

"Err, yes. Its been fine up to now, but now I can't seem to find the keyhole".

"Your key is not working?"

"No - no. I'm sure it works fine when I put it in the keyhole. The problem is I...err...can't find the keyhole".

--Blank Stare-- (and not just the concierge, the couple checking in are now staring at me with a mixture of pity and...well, mostly pity).

But whatever - I'm pretty sure by now this is all their fault somehow. "The problem is that my keyhole has disappeared. I'd like it back, or at least if you could open a window or something so I could get into my room".

"Just one moment sir". And he rushes off, presumably to call an ambulance.

Well, as it turned out they were replacing all the keyholes on my floor with electronic locks, and no-one knew. There's at least 30 rooms on that floor, and OK, maybe I was the first to notice, but surely one of the guys behind the desk, or the manager they called, or someone knew?

Anyway, I'm much happier now, as I know that I can trust my own judgement as to whether a keyhole has suddenly vanished or not. In addition, I don't have to carry around a large key which was, as these things often are, tied to what appears to be a dinner plate (I can only assume in case you get hungry while searching for your keyhole).

DB