The Argonauts - On hold

Two

We walk wordlessly along the hallway, which was already filled with the sounds of people talking about tonight's festival held for the newbies. I don't want to go. I am only going because everyone is forced to go in order to meet the newbies and make them feel welcome. "Tonight the newbies are getting their rooms," Jane says, leaning in next to me.

"I know," I say, not meaning to sound annoyed. Going on to my second year, I found that the newbies get put right next to the second year's dorms. Being registered at the last minutes, I got put right at the edge of the second year-newbie border. So I get to be next to them. We round the corner and begin to go around towards our assignments. I am trying to work extra hours so I can go out in to the field because I haven't been there since I got on the Argo. I select the ladder I came up because no one else is going down that one because it is private for only workers who are on their shift. After the Initiation, most people went back to their dorms or to the Pub, where I work. I try to climb down the ladder as fast as possible, because I am trying to earn enough tips to buy a present for Beau and Jane. They share the same birthdays, so it's only fit that I buy them similar presents. They probably forgot about my birthday, I try not to mention it because I don't want to sound too narcissistic, but now I feel that an occasional reminder will do.

I hop off of the ladder and on to the main floor platform. I open the heavy, steel door and walk out into the large room. The Heart was bustling with people, and there were light shows projected up towards the high ceilings. The lights glowed in patterns such as a lion, or an eagle. On rare occasions I have seen historic large projections of world leaders or famous heroes, mainly on anniversaries of death and birthdays. Moving through the crowd was almost impossible because of light show hour, and getting to the Pub at the other end would probably a new challenge: trying to get past drunks or people waiting in line to get in. I stick to the side of the room, moving past shops or restaurants. The Pub is the largest restaurant on the Argo, and the most popular. People come there to eat nice meals in the evening, but night dwellers come there to get flat out drunk.

I approach the wooden beam on the right side of the Pub and slip around it so that my manager can't see me coming in late to work while he greets people outside. I run past people doing funny dances and drinking more alcohol towards the back of the long room, where I slip through the door and over to the locker room. My card is in the section for waiters, and I grab it in between my pointer finger and my thumb and scan the barcode on the back of the card. I go across the empty room to my locker, and grab my apron from the hook inside. I close my locker door, and tie the apron around my waist. I go to the other side of the room to collect my notepad, pencil, and some straws, and then head out into the kitchen. I greet the sous chef and she beams back at me, and I walk through the door and walk over to the corner near my station. The waitress who works there before me walks up to me with a completely straight face and begins to talk about who is seated where, what table are occupied, that sort of stuff I almost completely zone out, but I try to stay focused, knowing the more money I make today will benefit me later. I walk up to the first table with three men, probably drunk. As I walk up they begin to give me crap.

"Where's the hot one? Why are you here?" One says impatiently. I'm too tired to handle people like this.

"What would you like to drink?" I ask, trying to change the subject the best I can.

"You didn't answer my damn question," he says, again impatient.

"She finished her shift," I say, praying that is enough to satisfy him.

"Whatever, I'll have a beer," he says gruffly. "And so will they." I began to mention our different variations of beer and my work shift went on its old, boring way.

-~-

As I was finishing up my three-hour shift, people began to clear out of the Pub. It was about nine o'clock and I needed to get home before the prowlers came out. I rushed to the locker room and gathered up my bag and got my card off of the slot and scanned it, then I walked out of the open front doors. My manager was right behind me, locking up the doors. I smiled at her, and she smiled back, then I went on my way down the almost-empty hall, except for the shopkeepers who are also closing up their shops, as well as the vendors who are working on closing their stations. Something on my bag clips at my side. Some people turn, wondering why a civilian is out this late. I show them my worker's ID badge, and carry on my way. I get to the tall, steel door, and open it enough for me to slip through before it closes again. I walk up to the ladder and begin to climb up towards the housing. Not even two minutes later I have two feet on the floor walking towards my room. Before I reach my room, I grab take my keys that are on the end of my lanyard and select the one that opens my door. No one else is in the long, dark hallway, which I have found to be quite unnerving. I reach my door and quickly stick my keys in to the lock and turn. I open the door as fast as possible, I rush inside, and close it behind me. I flick the light switch up and begin to undress and change in to my night clothes. I don't even bother to look in the direction of my bed, I know I'll be in it soon enough. I quietly close my dresser drawer and stumble over to my bed. I almost miss the package that lays on top of my sheets. A single, red present complete with a sunset-orange bow. Not wanting the excitement of opening a gift right before I sleep, I lay it on top of my dresser for the morning. I lift up the sheets and crawl into their warmth. The hum of the motor sings me into the deepest sleep I have ever experienced.