memories were only dreams

Now go, before your little date leaves

Venuus

I remove the lanyard off my neck and fiddle through all the keys in search of the one for the first room, the theatre.

The theatre always catches everyone's attention, but I promise, it's not that big. And it's kind of a disappointment since we only have so many movies.

We do have some concessions though. When they make that popcorn, you can smell it from the whole first floor.

I open the door and look inside to make sure everything is ready for the night. The security guards and the cleaning crew were both in here not long ago. So really all I had to do was double-check.

I nod to myself and softly close the door, making sure it is completely shut.

Next is the banquet.

I turn on my heel and walk over to it. Because it wasn't used today, all I have to do is make sure it's locked.

-

I take my phone from my pocket and check the time, hoping it hasn't yet reached midnight. I'm not in the mood to stay late.

11:50 pm

Okay, that's not bad.

All I have to do now is close the arcade and return to the front desk to clock out.

The arcade's problem is that no one ever closes it. Jesse, the worker, was not taught how to do it, so I do it almost every night.

I take a step into the open area, not even needing to open the doors because they were propped open on the sides.

As I approach the register, I notice he's placed a note for me on top of it.

'Hey Venus,' it reads.

Strike one. Spelling it wrong even though he knows how to spell it.

'I'm sorry for leaving so early; I was exhausted.  Could you perhaps tidy up a little for me? -Jesse'

Strike two. Making me clean.

I roll my eyes and pull the paper off the register, crumpling it into a ball and dumping it in the garbage.

He did me bogus.

I reach under the counter for the cleaning supplies, mentally checking off the right objects and bottles.

Duster, dustpan, window cleaner, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, and a few spray bottles for the counter and games.

I place them all on the back counter, turn on all of the lights, and begin closing.

I clean the windows.

Clean the doors.

Shut the doors.

Close the cash register.

Lock the register.

Dust the register.

Turn off the computer.

Take out the garbage.

Then begin cleaning the counter with the duster.

At this point, I'm in my own cleaning daze. Completely separated from society.

I peek behind me to see what time it is, 11:5-

A deafening boom comes from outside the arcade room.

I jerk my head to the door as a wave of panic sweeps over me and my heartbeat quickens.

Who the hell? What if someone is stalking me?

I cautiously lower the duster and crane my neck to look out the window. I see a guy reach down to pick something up.