We call that this an economy! Pay for good and services with finical instrument like lending aka the first '$100'. This is what banks do they lend out deposits for a return however the hotel never got the return and actually lost money because the guest could of needed services if he disrupted a room or something along that line.
I think you are on to something. So who was "the bank" in this case? Who still owes?
Thank you for the thoughtful response brother.