Summary

In “The New Guests,” an omniscient narrator, explains that Keith Gridley did not know he was being watched as he entered his hotel room, 215, in the Mountain View Inn. However, the omniscient narrator does not explain who was watching him. Keith had just arrived in California from Ohio. He and his parents had driven for five days to the old inn. The elderly bellboy, Matt, brought in Keith’s bags and then took his parents’ bags next door to Room 216. While Matt busied himself opening windows, Mrs. Gridley told her husband she thought they should drive back to the main highway to look for a nicer and newer place. Mr. Gridley said he did not want to drive another mile in California traffic. Mrs. Gridley complained that the inn looked so old it probably had mice. Keith mused that he would not mind...