Checking Out Travel, LLC

CW: Mentions of substance absue and overdose.

"If you are ever going through hell...just keep going."

- Winston Churchill

Thank you for calling Checking Out Travel, the one-stop shop for all of your destination needs. We are unable to answer your call right now, but please leave a message on this fully-encrypted voice line and one of our agents will return your call within 24 hours. We look forward to delighting you with your ideal destination experience!

“Hello. My name is David Fullerman, from Morgantown, West Virginia, and I would like to book a trip to New York City as soon as possible. I know it’s around three o’clock in the morning and you guys are closed now, but I can’t sleep. I just wanted to get this ball rolling, as this is a fairly urgent matter. Please call me back at 304-268-7784. Thank you.”

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Hello, Mister Fullerman. My name is Denise Demisé and I am calling you back from Checking Out Travel. I just wanted to let you know that this call may be recorded for quality and training purposes. I understand that you are interested in booking a trip to New York City as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are several expedited booking options available to you, as well as other locations that you might find preferable! Is this a good time to talk?

“Sure.”

Fantastic! Let’s start with this. Why are you interested in New York City?

“There are a lot of tall buildings there and it’s far from where I live.”

I see. Naturally, there are other cities with tall buildings as well. I only bring this up because we are right in the middle of summer now and a lot of people are vacationing at this time so rates tend to be a good bit higher than average, especially in New York. Is there some reason why you have fixed your focus there?

“I met my wife there. In college.”

I see. And will your wife be joining you on this trip? We do offer discounted couples packages and we are running a really great promotional offer until the end of August!

“I buried my wife yesterday. She died from a fentanyl overdose.”

I see. So, it will just be you then. Okay. No worries. But this is a really fantastic promotion so just keep it in mind if you have any other family members or friends who might want to accompany you.

“It will just be me.”

Okay, very good. Now, getting started here, I assume you are already aware that New York City is a very popular travel destination at this time of year so availability is limited and pricing is high. Is your travel budget a concern? Because if it is, I can offer some other, more affordable, travel options.

“I have $732.47 in my bank account right now. I’m ready to spend all of it.”

Ooooh. That’s going to be pretty tight for New York City right now. Between airfare, hotel and the other related expenses, I don’t think that will be sufficient. Just give me a moment to look up some other options for you to consider.

[Sound of rapid keyboard clicking.]

Okay! I think we can make this work if you are flexible about your destination.

“I wanted to walk through Central Park first.”

I understand. If you are willing to wait until, say, early October, we might be able to put something together for you on your budget, provided you are willing to book last minute and stay at a hotel up in The Bronx or maybe Queens.

No. I can’t wait until then.”

Okay, well…we have some decent options in Detroit, Memphis…Charlotte. Do any of those locations sound interesting?

“I really wanted to go to New York City. I have an aunt who lives there and she can help take care of things after.”

Well, I’m afraid that I just don’t have anything that will fit your budget right now. Would you like to hear more about these other wonderful locations?

“Sure.”

Great! In Charlotte we have an 18-story hotel with easy roof access, right downtown. This would fit your budget and we could book you as soon as Thursday. Have you ever been to North Carolina?

“I was hoping for at least thirty stories up.”

I see. Well, we have nothing in Detroit that meets that specific criterion at the moment - mostly due to all of the recent civil unrest and the riots and the looting and what have you, many of the downtown hotels are currently closed - but The Memphis Hilton has 27 floors. 28 if you include the roof. That’s pretty close. Would that work for you? I think we can just squeak it in under your budget.

“Fine. How soon can I go?”

I will look into the details and get back to you before the end of the day. Thanks so much for your time. We look forward to assisting you!

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Hello, Miss Jacoby. My name is Denise Demisé and I am calling you back from Checking Out Travel. I just wanted to let you know that this call may be recorded for quality and training purposes. I understand that you are interested in booking a trip to Dallas as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are several expedited booking options available to you, as well as other locations that you might find preferable. Is this a good time to talk?

“Yes. Go ahead.”

Great! I guess my first question is ‘are you set on Dallas or is your destination flexible?’ We have some great promotional offers available right now so if cost is a concern I can provide some other options.

“No. Cost is not a concern.”

Okay great. That makes this easy then! How soon were you planning your departure?

“As soon as possible.”

Very good. And will it just be you or are you travelling with others?

“My son and daughter will be with me.”

Great. And how old are they?

“My son is twelve and my daughter is nine.”

Ooooh. I’m sorry but Texas state law prohibits us from booking these travel experiences for anyone under the age of 18. Are you sure I cannot interest you in some other destinations? As I said, we are running some really great promotional deals right now. Arizona would be an option. Nevada as well. There are no laws restricting the participation of minors in those states.

“No. It has to be Dallas. We will just drive there and do this on our own.”

Miss Jacoby, please wait!

Line goes dead.

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Hello, Mister Zebronsky. My name is Denise Demisé and I am calling you from Checking Out Travel to respond to the price quote request you submitted on our website. I just wanted to let you know that this call may be recorded for quality and training purposes. I understand that you are interested in booking a trip to San Francisco as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are several expedited booking options available to you, as well as other locations that you might find preferable. Is this a good time to talk?

“Yes, but I am at work so I only have about five minutes.”

Very good. We can keep it brief for now. May I ask why you are interested in San Francisco? As you probably know, it is a very expensive destination and we are currently running some great promotional offers for other locations.

“I just want to go to the bridge.”

I see. A very popular site for our clients! Will anyone else be travelling with you?

“No. It’s just me. There’s no one else. There’s never been anyone else.”

Very good! Less expensive that way, right? So will it just be airfare and one night in a hotel then? We have some good options in the SOMA district. A very nice area. Right downtown. Easy access to North Beach, The Embarcadero and not far from the Golden Gate Bridge!

“Just call me back with the cost of airfare and your associated services. I don't need a hotel room. I just want to go straight to the bridge. I have to go.”

Excellent! You will hear back from me soon, Mister Zebronsky. We look forward to assisting you!

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Hello, Mister Cantrell. My name is Denise Demisé and I am calling you back from Checking Out. I just wanted to let you know that this call may be recorded for quality and training purposes. I understand that you are interested in booking a trip to Chicago as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are several expedited booking options available to you, as well as other locations that you might find preferable. Is this a good time to talk?

“I changed my mind. Don’t ever call me again.”

Mister Cantrell, please wait just a moment! We have some amazing promotional offers right now! We can also dispatch operatives directly to your residence today!

Line goes dead.

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“Denise, I need to speak with you in my office.”

I will be there in just a minute, Daniel!

Less than a minute later Denise arrives.

“Denise, I have been listening to your call log for the last few weeks. We need to discuss your recent performance. I won’t mince words. It is unacceptable overall and you have to do a much better job of cross-selling our promotional offers. How many times do I have to say this? That's where the fat margins are.”

Daniel, you know I don’t like to make excuses, but these last few months have been a tough period. Between the increasing rise of remote psychiatric counseling services, the ever-increasing cost of travel and the recent news media focus on our industry, it’s just getting harder and harder to get to yes.

“I don't care. No excuses. You have to do a better job of closing. A much better job. We need to put asses in those airplane seats and those hotel rooms and get those losers where they need to go for that last trip. That’s where your fucking paycheck comes from. Do you understand, or do I need to say this louder?”

No. I understand. I will do better. I promise.

THE END