"...If You Try Sometimes, You Just Might Find You Get What You Need" -- Rolling Stones

(continued from previous post) The hotel clerk arrived at 7 a.m. I was nearing the end of my minutes and wits as well. I explained the evening's drama, then had to do it all over again when the manager came in. So, out came the $4o, the unprocessed credit slip for the 2nd room, and a refund for my room that I didn't get to sleep in. Did I actually make money on that deal? Just then my phone died. I had half an hour to get to the airport. The manager said he'd keep a lookout for the taxi, then let me into my original room. I shoved everything into my duffels as best I could given the time I had, then hopped in the taxi that was already waiting for me. (I sat in front. You're meant to do that in Australia.)
The coach class queue at the Qantas desk was dismally long, so I went to the customer service desk to see about a seat in business class. Also, that line was much shorter. I started explaining the situation about having booked business with award miles when the agent looked at me like I was nuts, then asked me, "You do know that that flight has been canceled, don't you?"That would certainly explain why I'd been on hold for a half hour or more on my cell phone. As a result of the cancellation, all passengers on my flight were booked on the next flight, so there was barely a coach seat left for me, let alone one in business class. Oh, and by the way, my flight was canceled due to mechanical problems. A car hit the wing of the aircraft. I'm thinking both vehicles were on the ground at the time of impact.
Back in the coach queue I received a call from Russ. He started in telling me all about his misadventures with getting on the wrong ferry, having to back-track to the quay, and so forth. I'm afraid I won the "guess what happened last night after we left the restaurant" contest. Hands down, in fact. All that waiting in line for a boarding pass got me thinking. I figured that if I'd booked business class, they ought to allow me entry to the Qantas Lounge. So, back at the Customer Service desk, the same agent asked, "You again? What now"? Remember the bit about being at wits end? I served up my logic and won a pass to the lounge. Things were looking up. I had coffee and some sort of muffin before taking a long shower. When I emerged, I got online, replenished my phone card, downed two mimosas, and emerged from the lounge just in time to board. The best thing about being on board was not having to rush off anywhere for at least 13 hours.