My husband and I booked a hotel room for our vacation. In the room, I discovered this. I've been staring at it for half an hour, but I still can't figure out what it is. Does anyone know what it is? The answer is in the first comment. The full article is also in that comment.

That's when I said it out loud: "We should call reception."

My husband hesitated. "It might be nothing."

But he, too, no longer seemed convinced.

Before making the call, we stayed there, observing the situation. I don't know why. Perhaps because part of us wanted things to remain as they were, to remain explainable. The unknown seems heavier when you acknowledge it.

I finally called reception.

A cheerful voice answered. I explained the situation carefully, trying not to sound dramatic. I described the object hanging on the wall, its shape, its texture, and the fact that it seemed to be fixed there rather than placed there by chance.

There was silence at the other end of the line.

Then: "Oh... Yes. We understand."