A 'yes' man, in the finest possible way.
Ronald MacDougall has been on call around the clock since New Year's Eve 2003. As resort host, he caters to the needs and whims of VIPs at the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa in St. Pete Beach. Discretion is his stock in trade. Don't ask him to name names.
Q. Who qualifies as a VIP?
It consists of four levels, V1 being the highest and V4 the lowest. Celebrity status is V1: celebrities, president of the Unites States, senators, congressmen. There are people who have been coming down 30 years. Everyone who stays in the penthouse. Anyone whose room (costs) say $500 a night or more. I also do marriage proposals.
Q. How elaborate do those get?
There was one on the terrace overlooking the water. He wanted a dinner. I set everything up in white, rose petals spread all over. He wants the theme from Rocky, the whole sound track. I suggested an airplane with a "Will You Marry Me?" banner. I introduce myself and tell her I have to film for construction we're doing. Sunset's at 7:52. The plane comes by and she figures it out.
Q. What's the hardest request you've handled?
A celebrity needed a special mouthwash. She's all-organic, all-natural. She's in remission from ovarian cancer. I call Walgreens and CVS. I call my dentist. I put the name in the computer. Finally, I remember a local celebrity who had the same cancer. She tells me about a little health food store in Pasadena. Three hours and 65 calls later, I had it for her. If you hear a "no" from me, it's an absolute, positive "no." Anything compliant with the law, I'll make it happen.
Q. Do they ever ask for something illegal?
Yes, I've had some requests for ...
Q. Female companionship?
Yes. And they have to understand that's a real compliance issue. If somebody comes and beats the heck out of them here ... we're not that kind of resort.
Q. How about strip clubs?
That could be arranged for a guys' night out. But I will not send anybody to a place I haven't been to, be it a restaurant or a store at a mall. There is a very classy place over in Tampa that I was comfortable with because there's a good restaurant attached to it.
(Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel(at)sptimes.com)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service www.scrippsnews.com)
Must credit St. Petersburg Times.
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