Warning Signs

Chapter 3

You know how kids always ask the strangest questions? And you, as a parent, don't always have the answers to them? I knew this idea well thanks to Charlie. She would ask the standard questions most kids asked, such as "Why is the sky blue?" but she would also throw curveballs at me, such as, "What does Freddy feel when you turn off his power?" (As a side note, she had gotten into the habit of shortening the mascot's name, a fact that becomes an obviously inspired motive for the next eventual line of animatronics) I had no idea how to answer her question, let alone process the concept of the mascots being "alive". Although that did make sense for a child to think. After all, not only did they sing and dance rather fluidly, but Will and I's designs allowed for these particular models to walk and move via the help of a human inside.

The point is, kids ask questions. And they have no capacity to fully understand more complicated topics, which can sometimes make things tricky.

My wife and I experienced this problem at the same time approximately a month into running the diner. One day, when Mrs. Emily had come into the restaurant in order to drop some things off for me, we were in the backroom discussing how to set up some of the décor items she had bought for the business, while Charlie was sitting in the rolling chair near the desk. Our daughter had apparently become bored with our discussion and had decided to meander around the room, poking her hands through everything. I found myself constantly having to pull her away, getting more and more annoyed as I did so. My wife was equally becoming irritated with Charlie, her sighs getting louder with each passing sentence. By the time William stepped into the backroom, it must have been obvious how frustrated we were.

"Hey," I greeted Will grumpily, once again pulling Charlie away from the open filing cabinet and deciding this time to pick her up and toss her into the rolling chair. "Would you sit down and stay still?" I told her. "You can go home soon."

Charlie whined and pouted her lip but didn't move.

"I can take her out front if you need a minute," William offered.

My wife and I exchanged glances, then looked at my business partner.

"Would you?" I asked pleadingly. "We just need about ten minutes or so to finalize everything, then we'll be done."

"No problem," William said. His eyes floated past me to look at Charlie in the chair.

"Want to go play some games with Will?" My wife asked our daughter. Charlotte's face lit up and she hopped off the chair to run for him. William took her hand, gave my wife and I a wave, then led her out the door.

Relieved, Mrs. Emily and I returned to our plans. My time estimations to Will were correct, as our discussion only lasted ten minutes.

"I'll go get Charlie," my wife said as I started to gather all the décor items. "I have to run by the grocery store before home. Need anything?"

"I don't think so," I said.

"Okay, see you at home," she said. Mrs. Emily left the room. A few moments later, she returned, peeking her head around the door frame with a worried look on her face. "Henry? Will you walk me to the car?"

I looked confusingly at her, but agreed, and followed her and Charlotte out the front of the building. As we passed by the front counter, I gestured to the staff member that I'd be right back.

I waited until Mrs. Emily had strapped Charlotte into the car and closed the door before I raised my eyebrows at her. She lowered her voice, as though Charlie could still hear us through the closed window.

"Charlie seemed scared when I got her from William," she said. I looked at her blankly.

"Scared?" I asked.