The only thing I can do is have you stay here until the check clears. Ten working days.

Motel Desk Clerk:

[returning Clark's credit card to him]
I'm sorry, sir. I can't accept this credit card. Clark Griswald:
Why not? Motel Desk Clerk:
The computer says it's been reported lost. Clark Griswald:
Oh no no no, you see, my wife lost her credit cards in Colorado and I had to report it, and the computer's probably reporting that I lost mine, which obviously I haven't. Motel Desk Clerk:
Well, you'll have to straighten that out with your bank. Clark Griswald:
Would you take a personal check? Motel Desk Clerk:
For how much? Clark Griswald:
$300? Motel Desk Clerk:
I can't do that, sir. Clark Griswald:
Look, I've lost all my cash and we're on our way to California. Motel Desk Clerk:
Walley World? Clark Griswald:
Yeah, Walley World. And I'm sort of stuck between a rock and a hard place. You know, I'd really appreciate it. Motel Desk Clerk:
Not without a major credit card. Clark Griswald:
I have $6.13 to my name, so I can see we're going to have to work something out here between us. Motel Desk Clerk:
Look, I've already told you: I can't accept a check without a major credit card. Clark Griswald:
[writing the check]
I'm making this out for $1,000. All you have to do is give me in $300 in cash and keep $700. All for doing nothing more than acting like a total creep. Motel Desk Clerk:
The only thing I can do is have you stay here until the check clears. Ten working days. [the clerk walks away; Clark slams on the desk in frustration, which opens the cash register. On an impulse, Clark grabs the cash and sticks the filled-out check in the cash register]