My mother and I were traveling across Texas late at night looking for a place to stay. We happened upon the Travel Inn, Beaumont, which was only a few blocks off the interstate and seemed as good as anywhere. I asked the nightclerk for the price and my mother and I thought it was agreeable. I gave him my credit card and an ID card and he immediately began writing my social security number down. I should have left the hotel right then, but I took the paper and my ID back from him and asked him if he really needed that information. He said no and I blotted out my social with a felt pen. I gave him a driver´s license instead since he still insisted on ID for the credit card. I did not notice him write anything but he went into the back for a few minutes, supposedly to retrieve the key.

The motel was as dirty as any I have ever stayed in and my mother and I could not sleep. The sheets were stained, there was dust everywhere, and the windows were severely cracked. I... more