CHAPTER THREE:
MORNING.

"DAVE!"

Dave awoke with a start, to be met with the sight of Mitch hovering over his bedside. The Mitch in question let out a chuckle, sighing slightly. "Ho-kay, dude, take a second to breathe."

Dave sits up, absolutely fuming. "Mitch- what the fuck was that about? What in god's name is your problem?"

Mitch chuckles, heartily. "I've been trying to wake you up for like, five straight minutes, man. We've gotta get going if we wanna make it in time for opening hours."

Dave rubs his eyes, slumping down slightly in bed. "Mitch. What time is it right now...?"

Mitch rubs his scruffy chin for a second, thinking. "Well, let's see. I figured I'd let you sleep in a little, and then we'd just get ready a little quicker, you know? So...give or take, quarter to six?" Dave pauses his slumpage, staring forward blankly.

"Quarter to six. Five forty-five. Five forty-five in the morning."

Mitch laughed boisterously at Dave's utter horror. "I take it you aren't the bright-and-early type?" He chuckled more, standing up. He pats Dave's leg. "C'mon, I'll make you some more coffee." And with that, he left the room, still snickering to himself down the hallway.

Grumbling, Dave climbed out of bed, tossing his blanket aside. Blanket. Glorified towel. The damn thing must've been four square feet in diameter.

Waking him up at quarter to six- what the fuck was this guy on? He wasn't in high school anymore, he didn't have to catch the damn bus. Dave reached for the doorknob, then paused. Looking down to see that he was still wearing the same clothes as he was yesterday, he gave himself a cautionary sniff. Yeah no, he was gonna need to change. He unzipped his bag, and reached inside.

Toothbrush, no- tie, not the occasion- cologne, actually, maybe.

Dave's head was killing him. He needed to remind himself to head out to the pharmacy and pick up some Ibuprofen, wherever that was.

Come to think of it- this was a brand new area for him. It could be a good thing for him to get out and around for a walk around town, sometime- get acquainted with the area, and all the local digs. I mean, hell- he knew his hometown like the back of his hand- why shouldn't this place be the same?

Though, to be fair, that place was a little hard to forget.

Selecting a simple fresh green t-shirt and a pair of jeans, Dave got dressed- giving himself a quick once-over in the reflection of his bedroom window. Despite himself, he felt pretty good today. Green always was his color. He left the room, and walked down the hallway. The sound of boiling water came from the kitchen- along with faint humming. Dave entered, seeing Mitch grabbing a couple of coffee filters from a box. Dave took a seat at the table, speaking up.

"I recognize that tune. What are you humming?"

Mitch looked over his shoulder, chuckling somewhat bashfully. "Oh, ah- it's a classical piece, so I wouldn't be shocked if you've heard it before, dude. Les Cloches du Monastère. It's French."

"Didn't take you for a classical guy, to be honest." Dave chuckled.

"It's pretty, huh? They play it all the time at work, so, it gets stuck in my head a lot."

"They play a French classical piece all the time at your workplace- being...a pizza place?"

Mitch laughed, pouring hot water into one of the coffee filters. "Yeah, it plays through the animatronics, for the kids? Something something, edutainment."

Dave grimaces. "Oh, dude- it's one of those pizza places? Like showbiz?"

"Hey- equate Freddy's to showbiz one more time, see what happens." Mitch grins. "But yeah, like showbiz. Robots can interact with the kids and everything. It's crazy shit- I was amazed when I first saw it. You're in for a ride."

"Ride like a roller coaster, or ride like a train-car hurdling directly into a brick wall?"

"You be the judge of that." Mitch laughs again, but something about the comment didn't sit right with Dave. Though, the skeptic in him had always been running rampant. Mitch hands Dave what's now the third cup of coffee in the last two days. Nonetheless, Dave accepts it with open arms, and takes a sip.

Mitch downs his coffee in one sip. "I mean what I said before, by the way. I have absolutely zero doubt they'll hand you a job if you just ask, dude. Don't worry too hard about being all professional and shit, yeah?" He checks his watch. "Speaking of which, we got ten minutes, so if you need to brush your teeth and shit, do it now. I'm gonna get dressed."

He walked down the hall, and entered the door at the end of the hallway, shutting the door behind him with a click.

Dave got up, and downed the rest of the coffee. How did Mitch make that look so easy? It was hard enough to just regularly drink this stuff, when it tastes like fucking petrol, but chugging it was an entirely different beast. He went back to his room, grabbing his bag, before heading back out into the hall, and pushing open the bathroom door.

The bathroom was pretty much what Dave expected.

It was pretty tiny, only about four, five feet of walking space in between the toilet and the door. The sink was dirty, and there were little flecks of toothpaste on the mirror. Dave took out his toothbrush, and a little thing of travel toothpaste. Props to him for planning ahead. He'd have to go out and get some real stuff soon, though. This stuff tasted like baking soda.

He still heavily doubted they would just hand him a job. Desperate children's restaurant or not, no company was stupid enough to hand a position to any dipshit who walked through the door.

But still, it was worth a shot. He had nothing to lose- what was he risking?

Well, he was risking looking like a fucking dumbass, for starters.

He spat the toothpaste into the sink, cupping some of the running water with his hands, and taking a sip. After swishing it around for a second, he spat, and shut off the faucet. He fixed his hair slightly, wetting his hands a little. This would have to do in terms of hygiene today, he guessed. He didn't look awful, but he certainly wouldn't be going on any dates looking like this.

Mitch emerged from his room, wearing a button-down shirt, that was some sort of a gaudy magenta color. Perched on his head, was a forage cap- the legend 'Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria' plastered proudly across the front, as well as a cheeky looking, smiling bear mascot. Dave guessed this must be the Freddy Fazbear in question. There was a golden badge pinned to his chest, reading 'FREDDY FAZBEAR'S PIZZA- DAYTIME GUARD.' Mitch smiled at Dave, and laughed. "Pretty ugly, right? I mean, come on, this is 1985 now, man, not 1970."

Dave laughed. "I feel weird about showing up in just a t-shirt and jeans, man."

"Dude- half of the employees at this place are teenagers. Remember where you're applying- this is a pizza place, not an office job."

Yeah. No, he had a point. Dave nodded, and took a breath. It had been so long since he'd had a job, he guessed he was just starting to overthink it? He was applying for any position at a children's pizzeria. Calm the fuck down, man.

Maybe he was treating it so importantly because he was embarrassed? Hell, he should be embarrassed- walking into a place like this and begging for a job.

Well, hey. You do what you have to. And right now? He had to go out and apply for a job at a pizzeria. So be it.

Mitch pats Dave on the back. "All set and ready to go?"

"Yeah, I think so."

Mitch bows dramatically. "Then onward...! Your chariot awaits!" He looks up at Dave, grinning.

Dave finds himself laughing. "Fucking nerd."

Mitch chuckles, jogging out the door, and around the side of the house. "Come on, keep up!"

Dave jogged behind him. Man, he was getting out of shape. He made a mental note to look around for a gym, later. Following Mitch around to the back of the house, he found a dingy, beat-up van, sitting in a small driveway.

"She's pretty sexy, huh?" Mitch looked at Dave, over his shoulder- his hands on his hips.

"She's pre- wha- the car?" Dave sputtered. "I mean, "car." Does it even qualify anymore? The damn fenders are falling off!"

"She's rough around the edges, sure- but she's my baby, man." Mitch opens the door, and hops in. "Come on, we're already gonna be late at this pace.

Dave climbs up into the passenger's side door, and shuts it. Fuck letting go of his inner snob- climbing into this thing felt like suicide. "Are you sure it's even safe to drive this thing?"

Mitch laughs, starting the engine.

"Pssh, yeah man, it's fine. I take her everywhere. She hasn't failed me yet."

"I swear to god, if we die on the way to this place, I'm gonna kill you." Dave does up his seatbelt, clutching the strap.

The engine sputters- and after Mitch jimmies the key a little in the ignition, it starts up, and they pull out of the driveway.


As they park in the parking lot of the restaurant, Dave finally relaxes his grip on the strap of his seatbelt.

Jesus fucking christ, Mitch drove like a lunatic. Did they hit a stop sign on the way here? Dave was pretty sure they hit a stop sign or two on the way here. He made another mental note- this time to never let himself into a car with Mitch behind the wheel, ever again.

Mitch took the keys out of the ignition, and opened the door, hopping out.

"Come on, man- gotta go."

Dave took a shaky hand, and pushed his door open, stepping out onto the ground. Solid ground. Reliable ground. Part of him wanted to get down there and kiss it on the spot.

But instead, he jogged up beside Mitch, and walked toward the building.

Mitch chuckled, patting Dave's back. "Tired there, tubby?"

Dave fumed. "I am not tubby." Moments after speaking, he realized how much like an indignant child he sounded. "I'm not fat," he corrected. He wasn't fat, was he? Dave looked down, and patted his stomach slightly. Hey, no- he had things to do. It was no good getting side-tracked by dumb shit like this.

Laughing, Mitch gave Dave's side a reassuring shove. "Yeah, yeah, buddy- we know."

As they came up to the front of the restaurant, Mitch turned to look at Dave.

"Aw, man, this is exciting, dude...! It's your first time at Freddy's- that's a big deal, you know."

Dave quirked an eyebrow. "You really seem to love this place. Aren't you supposed to be an adult?"

Mitch stuck his tongue out, grinning. "Yeah, well, so does the entirety of Hurricane, Utah, so- up yours." He produces a set of keys from his pocket, and fits them in the lock, unlocking the door. "Want to do the honors?" He grins.

"Just open the door, dumbass."

Mitch shrugs, and opens the front door, smiling. He steps to the side, to let Dave enter.

The room inside was dark. There were two long tables ahead of him, a little ways to the right- a confetti-print tablecloth draped over them. There were chairs lining the sides of them, as well as a party hat for each spot. Streamers hung from the rafters, with little paper stars attached. The whole place reminded him of that feeling he would get when he was a little kid- when he would go to his school after-hours, or something. A feeling like he was somewhere he wasn't supposed to be. At the time, that feeling was riveting- but now, he could chalk it up to just being eerie. Mitch stepped in himself, and walked up next to Dave.

Stepping a little further in, ahead of him was a stage.

Standing on the stage was an animatronic band. There was a guitar-wielding, blue rabbit, and a yellow bird of some kind. A chicken? And in the front, holding a microphone, as if ready to perform, was the man of the hour. Or, bear of the hour? It didn't matter. What did matter was how fucking creepy they all looked. Dave always hated these things. The animatronics Dave had seen in the past had these permanent happy expressions carved into their faces, and that had bugged him. But these ones just looked kind of...blank. Dead inside. Somehow it was worse.

"Why the fuck do kids like these things? They're horrifying."

Dave looks behind him, at Mitch, who's cleaning up little things the kids probably left behind. "Hey, they might be unassuming now- but let me tell you, when they start singin' and dancin'- moving around? It's magic, dude."

Mitch looks over at the door. "Speaking of."

Standing on the other side of the door, is a woman, with blonde hair, dressed in a business suit. She gives the glass a few light taps, smiling.

Mitch jogs over, and opens the door for her.

"Morning, boss."

She steps inside- her heels making a light clicking noise with each step. "Good morning, Mitchell! I hope you're ready for another workday...!" She giggles. "Oh, who am I kidding? You're always on top of things, aren't you, Mitch? Good boy." She notices Dave, her expression shifting to something like surprise. Though, Dave wouldn't particularly say it was bad surprise.

"Oh! My- you've brought in a friend, it seems...? Who do I have the pleasure of meeting, hmm?" She bends down slightly, extending a hand to Dave. Which was odd, considering she was two heads shorter than him. Nonetheless, Dave accepted her hand, and shook it firmly. He opens his mouth to speak, but Mitch speaks over him.

"Oh, that's my pal, Dave Miller. He wanted to talk to you, so I figured I'd bring him in to work with me, you know?"

She gives Dave a warm, broad smile. "Ah. Well, Dave- My name is Annabelle. I'm the assistant manager of this fine establishment right here." She pats his back, gesturing for him to walk with her. "Oh, but you can just call me Annie, yes?" Dave walks along with her, struggling to match her pace. She walks fast. Dave wasn't sure if that was because she had short legs, or because she was just a really eccentric person. Annie spoke up again. "So, honey- you're here for a job?"

Wait, what the fuck?

"Uh, yeah, I am- how did you...?"

Annabelle titters lightly, bringing a hand up to her chest like some sort of cartoon character. "Oh, dear- trust me, I've had plenty of your kind come in here with your exact intention. And judging by your confused demeanor? Lack, thereof." She giggles again.

She continued, as they crossed into a long hallway. "Now, usually, I wouldn't just be handing out careers like cheap cigars."

He knew it. God damn it Mitch- who the fuck would?

Seemingly sensing his downcast demeanor, she turned to him, and smiled- stopping. "However," She continued, "You're in luck, Dave. We just had one of our best workers fired, about three days or so ago, now. Now, the position is one of the more difficult ones, but I haven't any doubt you should be able to meet it's expectations. Call it a good feeling about you." She pulled a notebook out from her purse. "You'll be working a night shift- as a night watchman. You think you can do that for me...?"

Dave blinked slightly. Jesus, never mind- sorry Mitch, you weren't lying after all.

"I mean- uh, yeah, for sure I can. How...soon can I come in?"

She smiles, and writes something down. "Oh, just perfect- thank you dear. And, well- apologies if this is forward, but..." She grimaces, for emphasis. "Do you think you could come in tonight...? There's recordings and stuff to walk you through your first night, so...just come in at 12, if you can- leave at 6?"

Dave grimaces too. Yeesh. 12 to 6- this was gonna be rough. But, it was absolutely worth it for the job.

"No- uhm- yes. Yeah, I'll be there."

Annie's face lights up. "Oh, splendid. Thank you so much, dear- you really saved my hide!" She laughs again, gesturing for Dave to follow her. "Come on, I'll get you your stuff."

She leads Dave all the way to the end of the hallway, and through an open doorway- into a small, cramped room.

The first thing Dave noticed was the stench. To say the room smelled like something dead, would be the understatement of the century. Fighting the urge to vomit- he decided to actually take in the way the room looked. The room was incredibly claustrophobic- the walls stained and dirty. There was a door on either side of the room, each one leading into it's own hallway. Next to these doors, were windows- Dave guessed so that you could see outside into the hall while the door was shut. Better safe than sorry, he supposed. At the front of the room, there was a small desk, with a set of 7 small monitors- as well as a good amount of crumpled up papers and drink containers. It seemed that whoever manned this desk last really wasn't a very organized person. On the wall behind the desk, there was a poster featuring the animatronic band out on the stage - a legend at the top of the poster read 'CELEBRATE!' - and a collection of children's drawings, each with the printed caption 'My Fun Day!' plastered across the top. Exposed wires hung from the ceiling, like vines. Christ, this place was a fire hazard waiting to happen- asking, even.

Annabelle gestures to the room. "This will be your office...! Call it your base of operations, yes? You won't be leaving here much. Actually, not at all, unless it's asked of you- understood?"

"Understood."

"Perfect. See? This is what I mean- you're perfect. You listen to what you're told- you don't ask irritating questions." Annie giggles again. "Anywho- the recordings will walk you through everything you need to know on your first night when it's time. What we're really here for- is this." Annie opens a filing cabinet, and pulls out a set of neatly folded clothing. "This- is your uniform...!" She hands the clothes, with a grin, to Dave, who accepts them. The shirt was almost the same color as Mitch's, but a bit darker. While his was a magenta, this was more purple than anything. The pants were just a pair of simple black dress pants- and also included, was a black baseball cap with the word 'SECURITY' embroidered boldly across the front.

"And the cherry on top...!" Annie hands a small golden badge to Dave, just like Mitch's- that reads 'FREDDY FAZBEAR'S PIZZA- NIGHTTIME GUARD.'

"Uh. Thanks." Purple. Out of all the colors in the world, it had to be purple? It was terribly ugly, Dave would argue it was even worse than Mitch's.

"Now that that's all settled and dealt with, I'm gonna get you to sign some paperwork. Now, legally- I'm required to tell you that at this point in time, you are not obligated to take this job. Up until you sign this document, you are in no way tied to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza at all- legally or otherwise. But- I know you're going to take the job, aren't you, honey?" She giggles, patting Dave's back as she hands him a pen. Her pat was noticeably harder this time, but still- the same plastic smile still adorned her face.

This is it, Dave.

You have a job now.

Feeling like a proper adult, Dave signs the paper, not even bothering to read the document beforehand.

Annie takes the paper back, smiling. "And there we are..! Dave Miller- welcome to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza- where fantasy and fun come to life...! We'll see you at midnight!"