I had just arrived in Seattle after completing a long trip from Sydney, Australia, and as is my standard practice after checking in at the hotel, decided to stay awake till the evening before taking a well earned rest.

It was about 4 pm in the afternoon when I heard a noise outside my 2nd floor room window, so I casually peered out and to my amazement saw two guys walk past, dressed in combat fatigues armed with sniper rifles - scopes, the whole deal. I stood back from the window, reminded myself I had been awake for 24 hours so I was probably just imagining this. I rubbed my eyes and had another look. At this stage they were set up on the edge of the roof in combat position and ready to shoot.

So it was time to call the reception, and in my calmest voice indicated that there just happened to be a couple guys on the hotel roof outside my room with big guns looking like they meant business. After a moment, she replied "Yes sir, we are aware of them." After realizing she wasn't going to offer up any further information and then starting to hear helicopters fly overhead, I asked, "Should I take cover?” She replied, "No sir, you will be OK" and then hung up.

Worried that it was now time to vacate the room, I headed down to reception to find the whole placing teaming with secret service, the hotel had been cordoned off by police - we were in lock down! However upon further inquiry I was eventually told that Vice President Cheney was staying at the hotel that evening and it all finally made sense.

-- Matthew G., Sydney