CHAPTER 9 - CITY OF APATHY

As early as five in the morning, there were already customers in the diner, ready to start another day. In this new place, it seemed that the townsfolk never get tired. I got awakened by the hustle and bustle in the diner as the retro 50's music began to play again.

I crawled under a tiny opening at the bottom of the glass front door, and outside, boats filled the streets and sounds of horns broke the early morning silence. I went with the flow of the crowds that filled the sidewalks. I didn't even know where I was going because all I could see were the tail-fins of the different kinds of fish.

The crowd eventually cleared up as soon as the morning rush was over and everyone was already at work. I checked myself for bruises or scars that may have been caused by that shuffle. I didn't notice any injury marks, but I noticed that what I saw a while ago is for real. It was true that my skin has turned slightly greener and my beard had a darker color than usual. The liver spot on my right forearm faded. I blinked several times and shook my head because I still thought I was going insane. I wasn't. It seemed that I will look younger with every time that I get to experience joy, even from simple sources.

I didn't know my way at all around this town, so I spent the rest of the day walking around aimlessly. I eventually found a newspaper stall and took a sneak peek at the news, only to be quite surprised about what was there.

Mr. Krabs Hospitalized

Mr. Eugene Harold Krabs, owner of the world-famous Krusty Krab, has been sent to the hospital after he had a heart attack. He was found unconscious by the exit of The Krusty Krab yesterday afternoon.

"As of this time, we all have to allow the crustacean to have some rest and some time to himself," the head doctor said. "It is with deepest regret that we have to inform you that his chances of recovering are slim, but these chances will widen if he gets enough bed rest and enough medical attention."

We have tried to interview Spongebob Squarepants, the restaurant fry cook, but he still refuses to say anything. He was still rendered speechless by this tragic incident...

I wasn't able to read the rest of the article because it was partially blocked by the newspaper stand. I didn't know what to feel anymore after seeing such a surprise. I didn't know if I should be happy because my worst enemy was suffering. If I would, then I would be happy for all the wrong reasons. I know for a fact that that wasn't what I should be doing, but I couldn't help it. I was pleasantly surprised that the one who made me miserable for most of my life was now in a pitiful state. I looked at myself to see if I was right about happiness and looking younger. I stayed the same shade of green-gray as I was a while ago.

I left the newspaper store and continued my aimless wandering, doing my best again to completely forget about my past. Even with my old age, I could still clearly remember everything. This new place wasn't helping me so much to start over even if no one really knew me.

I saw a dumpster by the alley and tried to scavenge for food there. When I was about to get the discarded nachos that were on the ground nearby, a group of rabid snails seemingly appeared out of nowhere and gave me angry looks. I ran away as fast as I could as I took one small chip and munched on it. I didn't really care anymore if it was unsanitary. I was hungry, and I had no time to look for the nearest restaurant.

I went further into the depths of this city, and I knew I was completely lost. I didn't know where I was anymore. I didn't even know the name of this place. I was swayed by the crowds numerous times today, and I'm in this street that looked so similar to most of the other streets in this huge city where wide open spaces were rare and sand wasn't as abundant as back in Bikini Bottom. Almost everything here was made of concrete and metal.

The neon lights were turned on again as the sky blackened. The sea creatures were all decked out in their party wear again after switching from their gray corporate wear. This seemed to be the normal lifestyle of the ones living here- work all day and party all night with just very few hours of sleep.

I went to yet another dark alley that was just barely lit by a dim lamp contrary to most of the neon-filled boulevards and heard some loud snoring. I smelled something foul coming from a cardboard box that seemed strategically placed under the tiny sconce. Out of curiosity, I went to see what was inside. I silently opened the makeshift door cut through the box. It was strange that the door seemed to be made for someone my size. The inside was just an empty, brown space with holes in the 'ceiling' where the dim light went through and lit the inside of this box. There was someone fast asleep in this box with an old newspaper as a blanket, and he was another one of my species. He was old and shriveled just like me, but with dull, brown skin and a full, white beard. He was rectangular in shape.

I didn't want to interrupt his sleep, so I decided to silently leave his makeshift home and I camped just outside it. Today has been quite a tiring day, and I tried to process everything that happened on this very long day, from the time I swiped food in the diner, woke up in the toe kick of the counter, learned that Mr. Krabs had been hospitalized, and just spent most of the time aimlessly wandering. I realized that I had been silent the whole day. There was really no one to talk to in this town, but it was also here when I was reassured that I'm not really alone. For the first time in so many years, I've felt sorry for someone in a big city that seemed to be filled with apathy.