Husband and wife are travelling by car from London to Edinburgh when suddenly the weather closed in and it was impossible to drive, so they decide to pull into a hotel and check-in until the conditions improve. They pull off the M6 and find a hostelry nearby a junction, nothing special but it looked clean and well cared for, and after all they were only going to be stopping overnight if the weather cleared.

Luckily, the next morning the snow had stopped and the roads were clear, so they go to check out and the receptionist hands them a bill for £350.00. The man explodes and demands to know why the charge is so high. He tells the receptionist although it's a nice hotel, the rooms certainly are not worth £350.00! When the receptionist tells him £350.00 is the standard rate, the man insists on speaking to the Manager.

The Manager appears, listens to the man, and then explains that the hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference centre that were available for the husband and wife to use. 'But we didn't use them,' the man complains.

'Well, they are here, and you could have,' explained the Manager. He further explains that the hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant and that guests get a 20% deduction, but the man said they were too tired to even think about eating when they arrived, and again the Manager said, “But you could have...”

The Manager goes on to explain they could have taken in the cabaret for which the hotel is famous. ‘We get the best entertainers from Blackpool, Manchester and even the West End to perform here,’ the Manager says.

'But we didn't go to the cabaret,' complains the man again.

'Well, we have them, and you could have,' the Manager replies.

No matter what amenity the Manager mentions, the man replies, 'But we didn't use it!'

The Manager is unmoved, and eventually the man gives up and agrees to pay. He writes a cheque and gives it to the Manager. The Manager is surprised when he looks at the cheque.

'But sir,' he says, this cheque is only made out for £50.00.'

'That's correct,' says the man. 'I charged you £300.00 for sleeping with my wife.'

'But I didn't!' exclaims the Manager.

'Well, too bad,' the man replies, 'she was here and you could have.'