Chapter 1: Meet the Man
Early morning. Not the best way to wake up. Not for me anyways. I would say I'm nocturnal but being a vampire would be more accurate. The sun peeks through the peeled space between my curtains. I always buy black ones to make sure no light gets through. Why would you have a curtain otherwise? I look at the alarm clock atop my dresser which is currently blaring a loud constant beep. Unable to see clearly I shoot up and slap the shit out of the snooze button. Squinting, the clock makes out the time. It's 7:25 am. I sigh leaping out of bed. With it being as cold as it is wearing my uniform before bed was a good idea. All black, not that I'm complaining but Dollar Sergeant really needs to brighten their tastes a little.
No time to eat or I'll be late. Passing my housemate's room I yell, "I'm going to work!" A hardly audible, "Ok." is their reply. Surprisingly awake it seems. That or they just haven't gone to sleep yet. Not surprising, he's just like me in that sense. Hurrying out the back, I hop onto my bike and begin my horrible 20 minute ride to work. Winter has just left but the chill is still in the air. In hindsight perhaps I should have put on my jacket. Not a good start but optimism is key. Not that it will help as the second I roll into the parking lot I'm greeted with cars everywhere. people are waiting for the store to open. It's never this flooded. Especially on a sunday! To make matters worse, all day was nothing but customers bitching about old sales and my boss breathing down my neck. The only solace I have is my hour break.
"Hey Jess?" Guy Michaels, my boss calls out. "Yeah?" I say as I punch in my numbers to go on break. "We're too busy so I need to cut your break in half ok?" I try to process the blasphemy I just heard. "S-sure... no problem..." I hate this job with a burning passion. I went to college for nothing. "Study robotics they said! You'll make tons of money they said!" No one mentioned the crippling debt of student loans. My parents hardly help make a dent in the payments. I was born into a poor family so their isn't much they can do. Without a car getting a career I need is even harder. Not to mention my roommate is unable to find a job to support us. After a brief crisis alone in the breakroom I finish my slow painful hours of cashiering for assholes.
Finally home after another 20 minute ride back. I groan which is greeted by the distant sound of videogames. Chris Walker, my dear and spiteful roommate. He glances at me looks at the game then finishes the round. "Dude I had the best couple of games just now. I got... like three plays of the game!" I roll my eyes. "That's nothing special man, you get at least one every damn day!" Chris frowned and furrowed his brows. " I'm sorry who shoved the big romantic rubber fist on a stick up your ass?" I sigh. "Sorry, it's been a really shitty day for me." He nods in understanding. " Well if it's any consolation, dad found you a new job." Those words bring me back from my zombie like state. "Are you serious!?"
I had to sit down, not by the shock but by the fact my feet we're killing me. "Where's it at? What's the job!?" I asked excitedly. Chris smiled, " He said it was perfect for you. It's at a place called Fredd Bear Emporium. They need a night guard with experience in robotic repairs. I guess it's just in case they need a quick fix on the vending machines? " I very much wanted to slap him. Though they would probably slap me harder. " I don't think that's how that works bud." I correct. He just does a quick upwards nod. While he plays his games I go for the laptop sitting on the couch.
Fredd Bear Emporium huh? I do a quick read up on the place. "Ooh I see. I had no idea the old Freddy Fazbear franchise got so big. Nice! This is EXACTLY what I'm looking for." I get started immediately on the application. " It's a big place so don't expect them to call you right away. " Chris says peeling away from the game just long enough not to be killed by a pro Hondo. " Yeah I know man, who's had a job this whole time me or you? " He huffs. " Hey to be fair I've worked alot of jobs in the past! " I can't help but snicker. Though it was true he had alot of work experience. Perhaps he could get a job there if I throw in a good word or two. At the same time I'd have to get it in good with the manager myself. " Well this application is kinda barebones for being as big a place it is. " I say. Chris had gotten finished with his game session about half way through the application. "What do you mean?" he asks.
" Alot of the questions on here are standardized and simple. It doesn't ask for anything that would seem important or nothing. No past experiences, no references, nothing. " I keep scrolling down the page until I see this little passage.
Important information that is required for the position applied for must be given at the interview.
" Oh I see, it's really old fashion. I guess it all goes down at the interview. " He nods again. "Wow that IS old fashion. Next you're gunna tell me they accept paper applications! " I raise my brows. " Y'know what, at this point I wouldn't be surprised. " About 5 minutes later I finish up and send in my application. If I can really call it that. I can feel myself getting giddy. A new job, one I have been looking for, for a long time. Yet not one I was expecting. Still I can't help but be happy about this. Finally I can make progress in life. I can finally pay off my... hold on a second. What IS the pay rate? It didn't say online, perhaps I can ask at the interview. Regardless, it will take some time. I don't know any better way to wait it out than with a good nap. I'm good and tired too, thanks to work. I head up the steps and into my room flopping immediately on my bed. Before long I'm out like a light. My dreams... are of old friends I made a long while back.
Yet when I try to see their faces clearly, I draw a blank. Their faces a blur. However I can clearly tell where I am. It's the Freddy Fazbear palace. If I could make a comparison, it was like Dave n' Buster had a kid with Chucky Cheese. Which looking back I'm glad the Freddy franchise came out on top. Chucky was put out of commission long ago. I suppose back then both Freddy's and Chucky's animatronics were alike. The same stiff and creepy machines that they were. Lifeless and without personality. Those were the really old ones. My childhood was a little farther ahead, when they first had the amusement park. Sadly that didn't last long because of some controversy that I can't quite remember.
I wake with a start. Thinking about those older animatronics gives me the willies let alone dreaming about them. I've seen enough of them to know it's enough to give kids nightmares. Looking at the clock I see it is 5 am. What the hell brain? Laying back down, I try to sleep in as long as possible. The application was for night shifts so it would be beneficial if I try to get a schedule going. No such luck it seems. Once im up, there is no going back. The sun hasn't even peeked over the horizon yet. "Well I guess this is my cheat day. Meh, I'll get it figured out soon enough." Knowing Chris, he's either still up and about to go to bed or he went to bed only moments ago. Either way I'll soon find out.
Leaping out of bed and onto my carpet of clothes, I head down the steps to the living room. Not in front of the TV and not in the bathroom. At least I know he's in his room or by chance went to a friends house. Of course without telling me like usual. Odds are he went off to go get high. Nothing too serious, just your average pot head. Though we are in Ohio, one of the few states left that have yet to legalize it. Regardless, I have all this time to myself I might as well enjoy it.