Chapter Twenty-Two: Morning Tune

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The computer bot who helped him in Parts and Service called, "The West Arcade was not shut down properly. Some data may be corrupted. Initializing start-up sequence. Before proceeding, reset the audio manager circuit breaker, located next to the dance floor."

That breaker by the DJ!

Chica exclaimed, "Gregory, the security system locked you out. We need to reset the breakers and restore power to the West Arcade as quick as we can."

"Got it!" Nothing had moved, no one had entered–that he could see–but the backup lights came online. Gregory ran, glancing around at his surroundings now dipped in blood. He kept a lookout but didn't see Vanny as he moved to the stairs. Chica stopped following.

On the little raised platform by the stage on the dance floor, the breaker switch's light glowed red. So, he pulled it down. It clicked and the circle and the lightning bolt glowed green. The lights went out completely and the neon walls turned on bright. Electric music boomed through the arcade. Something shuffled rather quickly. He looked beside himself.

The DJ was gone.

The computer voice said, "Great job. Safety protocols deactivated."

Oh, come on!

"Pram zapped. Brun DJ protocols. Reticulating splines. Please reset the breakers to all zones. Three zones remain: Janitorial service. Arcade. Arcade."

Neon lights and arcade screens threw multicolored light across the floor, walls, and arcade cabinets. Still, the darkness was deep, and the shiny, dark dance floor sucked up the light that shone on it. Gregory clicked on his flashlight to make his navigation of the place possible.

He ran through a swinging door and checked the girl's bathroom. Nope. He checked the boy's bathroom. A door led off into a janitor's closet. A breaker clung to the wall. He pulled it down immediately.

"Two zones remain: Arcade. Arcade."

Gregory stepped out into the bathroom and froze. The bathroom door opened, revealing DJ Music Man's head cocked to the side so both eyes could stare in. His head retreated, replaced by a gloved hand reaching in. Gregory ran around to the other door. When DJ Music Man's arm extended fully inside, the boy darted out straight under his legs and toward the arcade.

He ran around to the lower arcade, searching the walls.

Then, a nearby roar broke through the blaring music, and a huge green and purple shape rushed out of the bowels of the arcade and landed before him.

Gregory yelped and held up his flashlight to Monty's face.

Monty cackled. "You got on the DJ's bad side, little guy. Not good." The mirth died from his voice. "Switch is over there. I'll keep lookin'." He pointed to the wall behind himself and hopped off further into the arcade. Gregory could barely hear Monty's feet hit the ground under the blaring music. Gregory put a hand to his chest. At least warn him, first!

Gregory shook himself off and darted through the small maze of arcade cabinets on the left side of the lower floor. The switch glowed red on the wall.

Ka-chunk!

"One zone remains: Arcade."

Gregory looked up to see DJ Music Man crawling out of a giant, lit-up hole in the wall.

Welp, time to move.

Gregory bolted for the spiral staircase. He ran deeper into the arcade, away from the repair bot tunnel. Roxy ran on the bridge coming from the opposite direction of him. She jabbed her thumb back. "On the wall close to the bridge. Steer clear of the 'bot."

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