Solving for X: 36

A small, neat, clean, economy motel room with two double beds. A 3-foot-wide strip of open floor around the beds, a chest of drawers squeezed in at the foot of one bed. A space too narrow to walk next to the bed, good for storing books and shoes. Along the front wall a mini fridge, a counter with a mirror above it and a chair pushed under it. A TV high on the wall above an open closet, a telephone. Downstairs there were a washer and dryer, vending machine, and microwave for guests.

A nice smell, a sliding patio door, a tall secretary cabinet and a couch with flowers and birds. Sticky vinyl in the kitchen and little utility room with louvered metal doors. An ecru-colored comforter with eyelet lace, an extra roll-away bed, ancient, cracked bar soap at the bathroom sink. A tiny garden for butter lettuce. Cast metal dining room chairs that looked like they were made of bamboo. The bed frame was carved to look like bamboo too. High heeled shoes to try on. Homemade bread.