Carrie, what are you doing? It's almost time to go." "I'm looking for my new book, Mommy. Have you seen it?" Abraham Nichols's voice echoed up the stairway. "Almost set up there?" "We'll be a few more minutes, Abe," answered his wife, Angela. "All right, but remember, we'll be getting in late as it is. I'll put the baby in the car." Two weeks ago, Abe had been asked to attend a two-day conference in a town five hours from his home. He and Angela had decided to make it a weekend getaway for the family. When making reservations at the Carlton Hotel for the family, Abe informed the reservations agent of all their special requirements: their 11:00 P.M. Thursday-night arrival; a clean, no-smoking double-double with a crib in place for six-month-old Jason and food service available for their eight-year-old daughter; a pool and fitness centre; and the group rate for Thursday and Friday nights. Thursday night before they left, the Nichols's took a quick supper. Carrie did not eat much, as her parents had expected; she always got excited about vacations. Then they were on their way. When the Nichols's arrived, everyone was more than ready for bedeveryone except Carrie, who had found the snacks that her parents had packed inadequate. "I'm still hungry, Daddy. Do they have vending machines at this hotel?" "Well, don't worry, honey. I talked to the people at the hotel ahead of time, and they said we could get food delivered to our room even at b11 PM. You are going to love it here; there's a big pool where you can swim all you want. And here we are," said Abe as they pulled in under the marquee. Angela took the baby out of the car seat while Abe wrestled with the two large suitcases and the baby's bag and Carrie unloaded her day pack. "You'd think a place like this would have a bell person," Abe grumbled to Angela