The events of the convention, Volume Two

Chapter One: Monday

Darkness could mean so many different things. The color of the night sky when there are no stars to speak of, the hard-paved asphalt of the streets, the soul of someone who has almost nothing left to lose.

Let's focus on that last one, shall we?

Jeremiah Joseph Bates, or JJ to the ones who cared, was leaning in an elevator. This new job had come at him when nothing else had. One could only live in a van for so long, after all. A keypad popped up in front of him, startling him out of his thoughts. Hastily scribbled on the top were the words "please type your name" and "Mike", for whatever reason. He tried putting in a J, but the letters moved.

What?

He tried again, and it typed a B.

What's wrong with this thing? Stop moving the letters!

An automated voice crackled out of the elevator speakers, cutting out the bongo music that was playing before. It seems you're having some trouble with the keypad.

You can say that again.

I see what you are trying to type, and will autocorrect it for you. Welcome, Benadryl Cucumberbatch.

I am Handunit. If you are hearing this, congratulations. You have arrived at Circus Baby's anime convention and rental, a fun-filled place where magic comes to life.

I'm sure.

Here, you will perform certain duties as a mechanic and watchman, as well as keeping an eye out for intruders. I will be instructing you each night on your tasks.

JJ scratched his head. Shouldn't there be separate people to do all that? Why's it just me?

Handunit completely ignored him. Let's get started. Please make your way to the surveillance room via the ventilation shaft. The elevator shuddered to a halt, the doors opening with a bang.

Please! Let me out!

What's the matter, rich boy? Gonna cry?

He shook his head, clearing the memory. There is no way in hell I'm going in that.

Please proceed through the ventilation shaft. The elevator will move up for the night in one minute.

Wait, I'll be stuck down here? That wasn't in the-

Fifty-four seconds.

All right, all right, fine! He got down onto the grease-soaked floor and began shuffling his way through the vent. It was completely dark, and smelled like rust and something sharp. Almost like...

Would you like to hear a fun fact?

No.

A past employee at this establishment got stuck in this vent once. She suffocated and died shortly after, and her family sued Fazbear Entertainment for seventy thousand dollars. Isn't that fascinating?

I'm gonna throw up...

Closing his eyes, he crawled as quickly as possible to the other side, breathing as deeply as possible. As he collapsed into the office, heaving, Handunit perked up again. Great job. You've completed your first task. When you are ready, press the button on the desk for further instruction.

JJ continued to lay down. His claustrophobia hadn't been an issue for years, mostly because he avoided small spaces, but if this was going to be a nightly thing, well, he wasn't happy about it. Groaning, he stood up, his back cracking. Might as well start. This button, it said?