A Custodian's Mind

Hello. This is and will be my journal. It's been given to me to write down and record my findings for the job. The journal itself isn't required but they told me that it can be for reference and my own personal log. I will use it unsparingly. I will jot down my day to day objectives and check them off the lists. Perhaps I'll write some thoughts and notes to pass the time. To whoever reads these entries, I welcome you to my custodial journey at this humble and undisclosed location. Danny Sceola: Sanitation Worker Extraordinaire.

Day 1
Follow The List
First order of business: make a checklist of daily duties. Scratch that, the first thing is to find the boss guy and give me the rundown of what I need to do. So far they've just sat me down in this laboratory room. Plenty of pale faces so far. Not one spark in any of their eyes. They're all just minding their own, working on their... whatever they're working on. Soon, the boss guy showed up and met me in the main room. Tall, lanky, and apparitional. His graying white hair matched the long lab coat. Doesn't exactly help with his cold and ghostly appearance. His icy blue eyes were just undilated enough to think he might not even be human. Maybe he IS a ghost. Or a robot, that would be funny. Scary, too, the more I think about it. If I told you to imagine a surgeon, you'd probably think of what exactly I saw. He had a concealing face mask and glasses with those extra lenses. I couldn't look at him directly, I just got incredibly clammy and kept picking at my fingers. The surgical smock wearing ghost hovered towards me and handed me a note. It was a list of my duties for the day. It only instructed general cleaning duties in three areas: This main room and two auxiliary rooms; the break room and lavatories. Nothing too complicated, I guess. And without a word, he glides away. No cordial greetings or anything at all for that matter. I swear he runs shivers down my spine. No matter, it's just another job. I guess dainty labs need professional cleaning from time to time. Even if it's only filled with phantoms. My handiwork won't go unnoticed.

Day 3
It Is Justified
Dear Journal, I don't think I will continue using "dear journal" after writing it out onto the page. This is NOT a diary. Anyway, I knew the job itself wasn't going to be the glorious kind since I'm kind of stuck here. They shipped me out here on a fancy boat. Didn't even have time to pack. Nothing but open waters and steel bars, for my own protection, of course. Wouldn't wanna fall out again haha, I'm funny. Either way, per my contract, I will stay here until a set amount of time has passed. However, I do not know how long but they told me that I will be compensated with amenities that the site has to offer. Within the three rooms I've been assigned to, there are lavatories and an area for lunch breaks and all. There's a kitchenette as well as a pantry that's regularly stocked. Complimentary for any staff members. Sounds good to me! Free dorming, free food, and free toiletries, I'd be an idiot if I didn't take this job. Else, I'd still be stuck with the patients at my old job. I think those were the only times I felt comfortable talking to people, but then again they were always sleeping all those times. Kind of rude, if you ask me.
This place seems different. No one talks to one another, barely any audible conversations in the background. But I see them whispering. Probably talking about me being the new guy. As if I can't see them in their fancy offices looking down at me with their condescending eyes. I'll show them. I'll clean this place so well, they won't know what hit them. Speaking of hitting, I can't wait to check the pantries. Maybe they'll have some of those cereals I love. My favorite was always the wheat squares with spray cheese. I don't know anyone who enjoys it like I do. It is absolutely the very best food combination and no one can tell me otherwise!

Day 6
Righteous
Why do they keep looking at me? With their beady little eyes, hiding behind their glass walls. I'm just trying to do my job but they just keep watching me. They should worry about their problems rather than keep checking on me. The conversations I have with a few of them are infrequent and far between from one another. They ask me these shallow questions; "How's your day going? You're in a safe place. Any plans for the weekend? Is there anything I can do to help? That hat isn't uniform attire." Can't they ask me something that's more worthwhile, something that actually means something? I hate it. And now there's some grimy muck that I have to scrape off the walls later. Sometimes it's easy faking a personality or an attitude. Feelings and perspectives are so malleable. I don't know if it's a skill or an act of malicious deception. But to fake a face is almost second nature at this point. Just let me do my business, I don't NEED any of your awkward small talk. Just go away! Faking it has got its perks, though. It helped get me through long conversations, earn raises and even make new connections. I dreaded each of them. In this kind of life, we have to put on a smile. I just want to do my stuff and disregard the consequences. I couldn't care less about other people in general. I would pull the plug off a patient if I could but noooooooooooooooo that's morally wrong they told me. It's illegal and murderous! Okay but why was I able to do it before? Anyway, ignoring the self righteous blabber, today wasn't so bad. Got most of the list cleared although I've noticed someone keeps leaving wrappers on the table. I'm excited about what I will have to sanitate tomorrow!