Ch 2: Acting out
A couple hours later Mike was returning to his worksite, with cake ingredient to replace what was used last night. He smiled at the memory, it was fun. The night guard entered the unlocked building soon after parking his car.
The man noticed there was no one to greet him as he entered. He guessed it was because the place wasn't open to the public just yet today. He continued finding 8 workers looked to be cleaning out the animatronics.
"Ugh! They smell worse than rotten cake!" One worker complained to the group. There were at least two people per robotic character.
The rest muttered in agreement.
"How did it even get in them?" Another worker questioned.
"I don't know. It's like when the cupcakes appear in the kitchen basically every morning."
"I wonder why there weren't any today…"
"A better question is who makes them?"
Mike smiled knowing what these young adults didn't know. He went on his way to the kitchen without being noticed again.
As usual, there were no cooks just yet, but they would arrive soon and unusual, Chica didn't make cupcakes last night.
The night worker found the spot where he got the dry ingredient from and replaced them with what he bought before exiting out of the kitchen.
As he was going to leave, a thought came to him, hey, I never been here in the day since I was a kid, why don't I hang out for a while? The thought made him smile; he would get to see his friends perform during the day. So, the man relaxed and leaned against the wall behind him, which was near the restrooms and the front entrance. He watched as the workers were talking and cleaning out the robot suits.
"-You've got 99 days to turn this place around before it gets shut down!" A man's voice unhappily said before a door closed.
This made the young workers and Mike look up.
Their manager was with a man in a business suit. They both didn't look happy.
"We passed our health inspection, for goodness sake!" The manager growled.
"Well, our entertainers are the issue! You would have passed with flying colors if not for them! They were said to have mucus building in their sockets, an undesirable, rotting smell comes from them, and so on and so forth!"
"So, they haven't been cleaned in years. Look, my staff is on it right now!" He gestured to the 8 workers.
They looked at the young adults who seem to stall in confusion before hastily returning to cleaning the suits.
"And they've been functioning fine beforehand," The manager continued.
"Well, you better hope that those kids clean them perfectly, or another 'incident' doesn't happen any time soon, or you'll be out of the job and your little animatronics will get shipped off to the junkyard!"
It looked as if the manager were going to reply to the fine dressed man, yet the sight of Mike changed what came out of his mouth. "Mike? What are you doing here? You're the night shift."
"Oh sorry sir, I was visiting the pizzeria. I thought it was okay since I'm a staff member too."
"Oh." His boss replied. "Yes, yes, that's okay."
Mike smiled and gave them a single nod to continue their conversation as they strolled to the front doors.
"And another thing is the disappearances of—" The business man went on before the doors closed behind them, shutting off the conservation from the dining area.
As Mike returned his attention back to his friends, he started to wonder what that man who seemed to be with the health department of the city was going to say. He knew from hanging out with the animatronics that they smelled worse than terrible, but being polite he never asked until one day when something was up with Chica. The smell was caused by the decaying corpses of the 5 missing children some 20 years ago. And he didn't attend when said from the former night shift guard that there was a "Bite of '87". Hmm, I got some questions for them tonight, he said mentally.
Soon enough, the younger workers were done cleaning the animatronics, so they took the filthy rags away, as the sound of commotion in the kitchen started up, meaning the cooks had arrived from the kitchen entrance, meanwhile the manager returned to the dining area.
He looked stressed and exhausted.
"Is everything okay sir?" Mike asked him concerned.
"No, no, it isn't. I've been getting those pampered vultures for a long while."
"Maybe some customers complained to the city?"
"That's one of the reasons Freddy or his friends aren't allowed to be climbed on anymore. It was hard enough to clean their fur before all those pizza grease hand prints got all over them – especially Freddy. They didn't function properly with that grease getting into them." The man explained to his graveyard guard.
"Come on, let's take a walk."
The manger followed Mike's led, and walked around the tables, nearing the robots as they spoke.
"I'd wish they'd complain to me first!"
"I'm sorry."
"No, it isn't your fault. I'm never here, because there isn't enough room."
"Well, on the bright side, the animatronics look better than ever." Mike gestured to the band.
"Yeah," His boss agreed as they looked up to see that they were so much cleaner looking, their coats had definitely brightened from the cleaning.
"Um, sir do you mind me asking about what disappearances he was talking about as you two left?"
Suddenly, the manger went stiff as if in fear. He turned from the robots. "It's best to speak of this in the office." He replied hastily. He made a b-line for the outer office hall doors, with Mike following.
On their way to the office, they passed several newspaper postings of the 5 missing kids around 20 years ago, papers of past failed health inspections because of the mascots, the restaurant's rules about customer behavior.
"I want you to know that you aren't losing your job just yet. No employee will. You're all so good." The boss told Mike.
"Alright, but what about—?"
"It was not Fazbear entertainment's fault! It was mine. I didn't choose correctly, I should have asked for their medical history." He looked depressed, remorsefully. "But you," He smiled proudly. "But you Mike, my boy! I don't know how you were different from the rest but you are here, and still with us!"
The guard gulped in fear. "Uh, sir…a-are you saying the night watch before me are-?"
"NO! What would give you that idea?!" He barked. "No one died! They moved on to other jobs, they quit complaining about the animatronics "coming to life at night"!"
"So, you know about them coming alive?"
"WHAT?! Mike, I thought you were sane! They can't do that! They're in sleep mode at night."
The guard almost wanted to play the recordings of the phone call instructions he got on his first week for his boss since it sounded like he didn't listen to them all the way through before approving them to be used as training.
"No, no, those other workers gotten frightened by shadows. That's what I get for not interviewing a single one of them before they started. They were all scaring themselves, thinking that the robots came for them. But they are well alive I am sure. They quit and moved on. I just forgotten to file them into the files."
There was a pause of silence, before the manger broke it.
"This place is falling to pieces," The manger moaned. He glanced around the office tiredly. There was a flicker of a glare at the door buttons, perhaps he was annoyed why he had to get the large steel doors installed instead of regular doors like a normal office would have. "May…if I'm lucky…"
"Excuse me sir, but I'm sure a ton of families come here daily for entertainment and food. There's still time."
"I hear you Mike, but the budget is extremely low now." He replied to his worker. "This establishment had been in my family from the start. It looked much better when I was a boy. But now. It's time…I don't know." He said concerned. "But don't you worry, I'll think about things and maybe things will improve. But I have to be careful."
As soon as it struck lunch time, the Pizzeria was packed! Families filled the tables, parents seeing their young kids having so much joy from the animatronics.
"Hey everyone!" Freddy cheered through his microphone. He turned to look at Chica.
"Hello boys and girls!" Chica greeted in joy. She turned her eyes to the lavender bunny as well as Freddy did too.
"Hi everybody!" Bonnie chimmed shortly followed by a jolly laughter.
"Welcome to Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria!" the singer welcomed the cheerful audience. "Allow me to introduce my friends!" He turned to his left, gesturing to the yellow robot.
"I'm Chica, let's eat!"
They looked at Bonnie again.
"Bonnie Bunny here!"
"And everyone knows me, Freddy Fazbear!" He laughed.
During their introductions the kids screamed their names as they said their own names.
"And let's not forget our pirate pal, Foxy!" The brown bear announced while gesturing to Pirate's Cove.
The purple curtains were open, Foxy stood with a proud smile. "Ahoy, maties! When ye be ready, come over to my ship and I'll spin ye a tale of the Seven Seas!"
The children were over excited by the mascots.
Mike lay back on the wall he was leaning on before. He watched with a smile as the customers were having a good time.
Aside from there being Mike and the customers, there were some day workers who had to dress in costumes as they worked.
Whenever the animatronics met eyes with Mike, their joy some to spike a little higher.
The night guard could see there was a lot of love for Chica, since at least every young girl wore a copy of her bib as well as the very few babies that were bought here.
"Remember, kiddies as yummy as pizza is it's very messy! Always wear a bib, so your clothes stay happy and clean!" Chica advised the families.
Soon after that, parents quietly asked for bibs from the workers who brought them out.
Their children giggle and grinned as their guardian tied the bibs around their necks.
"Is everyone having a good time? Because I sure know that I am," The bunny said with a grin.
"I could use some more pizza!" The chicken offered.
"There's plenty of delicious pizza when you're at Freddy's Pizzeria, Chica," He reminded her.
"You can't live off pizza all the time Freddy." Bonnie told him.
"You can't?!" Freddy and Chica cried out in unison. Then they faced their audience again.
"When you're eating kids remember to have plenty of veggies!"
"And all you young bunnies need to have your carrots," The red eyed guitarist informed them.
"Health is important if you wanna live a fun and happy at Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria!" Freddy started, and his band mates joined him saying the name of the restaurant. Then the main bear laughed.
After a while, some families had eaten until they were stuffed. The families remained, allowing their children to get their fill of their favorite characters meanwhile some more families came in.
Yet it seemed that the animatronics didn't think to introduce themselves again.
"Hey Chica!" Bonnie called from the opposite side of the stage. He was wearing his guitar now.
"Yeah, Bonnie?" She questioned.
"Do you remember what I do for fun?"
"Is it the pizza or cake time?"
"No, nope." He answered. "That's your thing."
"Oh right!" She said with a smile, soon followed with a giggle. "Is it Pirate Cove?"
"Not even close!"
"Well then, what is it then, Bonnie?" Freddy entered the conservation.
In the mean time Chica was eyeing the crowd. She soon focused on one into particular. It was a mother, dad, with their daughter seated at the center table. It looked like they had finished their pizza seeing there was a dirty pizza delivery pan on their table. Then a golden bear, looking almost identical to Golden Freddy, brought a cake out to them.
"Thanks Yellow Bear!" The little girl cheered.
"It wasn't a problem at all," The worker said, his voice was somewhat muffled by the spaceish mask. He grabbed the pizza pan and walked away.
"Rock the band!" Freddy announced.
Yet Chica didn't start the countdown.
Mike stared puzzled at what happened.
Foxy wasn't being visited right now, since the band's song always takes the kids away from the cove. He stared nervously at the yellow chicken on stage.
"C-C-Chica, why don't y-you s-s-start the c-countdown?" Bonnie questioned her, doing his best not to let the kids hear that he was nervous.
She didn't reply. She continued to stare at that small family with the cake. On a side note, they had ordered Chica's favorite flavor of cake from when she was still alive. It was chocolate.
Suddenly Freddy snatched her hand, trying to get her to focus.
She must have noticed something, since she faced the bear with a questionable expression.
"Remember the countdown?" He reminded her with grit teeth smile. He was worried if it sounded like he was nervous. He relaxed his left paw by his side.
She glanced at Bonnie, to see him gesture to his guitar, silently saying it was time for the song. She looked down, at the awaiting audience of kids. She blinked a few times, before straightening her back out. She gotten a glimpse of the suited workers frozen in place, not sure what to do. They could tell if she was broken or not.
"1-1…" She finally announced, sounding out of it. "…2…1…"
"2!" Bonnie said, picking up her slack.
"3…" Chica went on.
"4!" Freddy cut into his band mate's counting. He sang the theme song, along with his band as Bonnie played the accompanying music.
The children cheered.
Everyone who felt nervous or tension could breathe easy once more and went about their business.
As the song continued, Chica was singing less and less. Her eyes were locked the center table with her favorite cake on it.
Out of nowhere, the chicken sketched her legs quickly and began to climb off stage.
Their crowd cheered and parted for her to get down.
Freddy and Bonnie felt paralyzed as they witnessed Chica escaping the stage. They knew they had to stay put during the day since '87. They had to keep singing and playing guitar, being locked in the song until it ends.
Foxy's eye patch had flown up in surprise by Chica's moves. He knew he was to stay in his cove as well since that very same year. He ruined it for his friends. He had a feeling he would never be sorry enough.
"Chica!" The little girl chimed. "I'm happy came to my party! You're my favorite!"
Yet her parents didn't seem at all too cheery about the sudden visit. They remembered the animatronics always remained on their stages for so many years. And then, one of them comes over, that scared them.
"S-Sweetie," The father choked out.
"Why are ya scared, daddy? It's Chica! Chica the chicken!" The daughter giggled.
Now, Mike was standing up. He was confused. What needed to be done? The other employees seemed to be in that state as well.
"Come Mama, take my picture with Chica! I wanna picture with her!" The girl begged happily.
In an unsure state, her mother got out her phone for a picture.
"It's picture time Chica! Smile!" The kid remembered the yellow mascot. She hugged the soft, short yellow fur of the character.
"NO!" An employee's voice cried out in fear.
Yet it was too late. The photo was taken with a flash of sudden bright light coming out into the chicken's face.
"C-Chica?!" The girl whimpered. She trembled released the mascot who was violently trembling.
"Tae s'tel, Acihc m'I, slrig and syob olleh! Naelc dna yppah yats sehtolc rouy os, bib a raew syawla! Yssem yrev s'ti si azzip sa ymmuy sa seiddik, rebmemer," Chica began to ramble in backwards lines as her head twitched. Her lines spoken all backwards made them sound demonic.
The father quickly snatched his kid away from the looming mascot which seemed to be locked in a horrifying loop.
Chica didn't know anything changed in her surroundings. She hear everything around her happen, yet couldn't stop herself from its flash caused curse.
"azzip erom emos esu dluoc I! t'nac uoy?!" She continued without a beat.
"CHICA! STOP!" She heard Mike's voice shout at her.
She wished she could let him know she heard him, yet her beak continued to sprew demonic reverse lines.
"WE NEED TO HIT HER RESET!" A worker shouted in panic.
"EVERYONE, IT'S OKAY, LET'S LEAVE THE DINING AREA IN AN ORDERAL MANNER!" Another employee tried to remain calm and redirection the customers' attentions from the seizing chicken.
"seiggev fo ytnelp evah ot rebmemer sdik gnitae er'uoy nehw!"
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT! SHE'S TRAPPED IN A LOOP!" Mike argued with the day employee getting near them.
"THE RESET WILL WORK THE LOOP OUT!"
"WHAT IF IT DOESN'T?! WHAT IF IT RESETS THE LOOP?!"
"He's gotcha point there…"
"SHUT UP!"
"I'm call our boss!" Another worker called, giving up.
"einnob, haey?"
"It's okay, Chica! It's okay, come back!" Mike begged her.
"emit ekac ro azzip eht ti si? Thgir ho!" She suddenly threw her head back in a wild low cackle, instead of her normal sweet giggle. "evoc etariP ti si?"
"Please, stop, Chica! Please!" Mike cried out.
"Yes, hi sir, it's Morgan. It's urgent. The chicken, Chica – she trapped in a very scary loop….a-and I think the police are arriving now…"
"1…3…2…1…1-1…3…2…!" The chicken choked out as she trembled uncontrollably. She didn't know that she was knocking things over. At this point, her spirit passed from the sudden attack of electricity to her metal brain.
"He's coming!" The female worker announced.
End of Chapter 2
Author's Note:
Hey readers, I'm work on the next chapter currently. Please understand and be patient if i don't post more in a while, I'm super busy. And if you'd like to give me suggests, I'll see if they fit in the story in the future. And please feel free to leave comments down below, so I can read what you guys are thinking. Please and Thank! (Story is M rated just in case it goes into adult territory in the later chapters)