Chapter 1 - Planet Earth - United States Of America - Fort Myers
The birds are singing, and the sun is shining through my window blinds. Normally I would be happy about waking up to this kind of setting, but, it's Monday. I really dislike Mondays, it means I have to wake up early and get to work.
I look to my left and check my alarm, I notice that I woke up a few minutes early. I sigh and think about going back to sleep, not seeing the point since I'm already half awake. I sit up from my bed and rub away the last of the sleep, I felt a little groggy, but it would pass. I swung my legs off the bed and plant them on the carpet floor, I stood up and stumbled to the bathroom to get the morning routine over with. When I got inside I turned on the sink and splashed some water on my face to wash away the sweat that accumulated from my apartments heat. I guess i should turn the heat down some, huh? I'm not much of a person for heat, It always makes me all sweaty...and smelly. I like the cold better, it brings chills down my spine and it feels amazing.
I grab my toothbrush that's resting in my old, home-made cup from 6th grade. I take out the toothpaste, put some on the brush and begin to brush my teeth.
After I had finished and rinsed my mouth, I looked into the mirror and stared into my Emerald-green eyes. I looked down a little and noticed some stubble on my chin, I should probably shave.. I opened the drawer under the sink and took out my razor and shaving cream, I dabbed some of the cream onto my chin. I slowly moved the razor upwards from my neck, careful not to cut myself.
After a few moments it was all gone, I washed my face once again to get any loose hairs or cream off. I rubbed my chin as I nodded to myself in satisfaction.
I walked to the shower and turned it on, I left the water on cold. I started to undress and pile the clothes in the bathroom corner. I made my way into the shower slowly, relishing the cold sensation of the shower, feeling it trickle down my body more every step I took inside. I love taking cold showers. I stayed in the shower for roughly 30 minutes, I heard my alarm for work finally go off near my bed. I turned off the water and started to dry off, I walked out and combed my dark-brown hair in the mirror with my comb. Walking back into my cozy room, I turned off the alarm and got dressed. I worked at the local pharmacy, not the best job in the world but it pays the bills. As I put on my uniform a sharp breeze went past me, sending shivers down the length of my spine. I looked around until my gaze fell on my window.
Weird. The window is closed, how did that breeze get in?
I walked towards the window and thoroughly checked it, hoping there wasn't a crack somewhere. After a few seconds of searching I shrugged it off as a coincidence, besides I can just check after work. I walked outside of my room, into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Looking around I didn't see much, mostly frozen food, not the best variety of food but it's cheap, I need all the extra money I can get.
I took out the leftover pizza from last night, and put it in the microwave. I set the timer to 25 seconds, I can hear the beeping noise it makes every now and then since it is a little broken.
After the pizza finished heating up I take it out and quickly eat it, I don't like to eat slowly, waste of time if you ask me.
I took my phone out of my pocket and checked the time. The screen lights up to a sunset back-round. I don't have an iphone like most people do now-a-days, I had an LG F4, which to me is perfectly fine.
I looked at the time and did a double-take "9:45?!?!? I'm late!! How did the time pass so quickly?!" I yelled.
I grabbed my coat in case I needed it and made a dash for the door. I quickly closed and locked the door behind me. I ran to my Honda, yes Honda, not the best but gas efficient nonetheless. I took out my car keys and got in as quickly as i possibly could. Turning on the car I immediately start to reverse into the street and head to work.
The drive was uneventful to say the least. Other than going through a red light and almost going off a curb it was pretty normal, I got to work at about 10:24 AM, 9 minutes late. I made my way to the Employee parking lot, which is kind of useless since not too many people come by the pharmacy.
Walking inside, I got greeted by Ralph, the cashier guy.
"Hey Jake, you're late."
"I know, I know, I have no idea why though. It was early when I was finished with everything so I decided to grab a bite, it seemed like time just flew by and all of a sudden it was 9:45!" I exclaimed to Ralph, adding emphasis to the 'time flew by' part. He just chuckled, shook his head and pointed to the door behind him.
"Boss wants to see you, again."
"What for this time?" Now, keep in mind I wasn't the best employee, certaintly not the worst, but not the best either. I got in trouble every now and then but I couldn't think of a reason she wanted to talk to me now, I mean, other than being late.
I walked inside to see an oak-wood desk with a computer on one end and a stack of papers on the other. I see two very uncomfortable looking wooden chairs with stiff cushions lined up with the desk in front of them. And right behind the table was my boss, Debra, or "The Big Cheese" as I call her for some past reasons.
"Something you need BC?" I recieved a death glare for that, even before I finished my sentence.
"I told you to never call me that! I am your boss, and as such you need to respect that fact and use my last name when you are addressing me." She demanded.
"I've known you for 3 years now Debra, I think I'm past the whole 'last name' business don't you?" I asked her as I took a seat on one of the chairs, shifting around until I got somewhat comfortable, which was mostly slouching and falling off.
"No, It does not! I am your boss and as such-" I cut her off.
"Yeah, yeah I know, I have to show respect to your authority blah, blah, blah.." I started to use my hands to mock her a bit. She was my boss, but she was still Debra to me and she always loved to have fun.
"This is serious Jake, I need your utmost attention." She stated with a very serious glare, I took that as a sign that I shouldn't fuck around right now. "Okay, what is it?" I asked her.
"There is a new policy being established by the higher ups, and they want to start enforcing it immediately, basically they want to keep track of anything that happens that can disrupt the business in any way. Which involves everything you do on a daily basis." She stated, her fingers were interlocked and her eyes, serious.
"Don't you record everything anyway? I mean, it's not anything new by the looks of it." I stated. She just sighed and lowered her head for a few moments.
She raised her head and looked me in the eyes, "Jake, to be blunt, they will be deciding if you stay or not. I cannot save you from this anymore, Normally, I could just write down on my report that you did a fantastic job and they would take my word for it. Now they expect an exact copy of the workers analytics and behaviour at work every week." I looked at her still confused by all this, why does it matter if they see it? I mean it's not like I'm a bad emplyee.
"I'm still not catching on, they can see what I've done and how I behave, what does that matter?"
"They are going to fire you."
"...Excuse me? Can you say that again?"
"You are going to be fired. That is a fact."
"And why is that a fact?!"
"Because you mess around too much at work Jake, I cannot protect you from this I am sorry. I already sent last weeks report in due to the enforcement."
"But I thought they started enforcing it today!" I stood up clenching my fists, almost shaking in anger and worry about my job.
"They want to get rid of any "bad workers" as soon as possible. So, they asked for last weeks copy...and I sent it. I'm sorry Jake.." She looked down with her hands now in her lap. I started pacing, trying to keep myself from hyperventilating and my shaking unseen.
I shouldn't be freaking out so much about this job, but it's all I've got! It's the only reason I have a place to sleep, something to eat every morning, a car, a phone, EVERYTHING! The little pay that I get here is enough for me to live by. I just... I can't lose this...I can't!
"Please, Debra, Don't let them do this. I-I'll do anything! I'll clean the whole store, I'll restock all the shelves myself, I'll work the night-shift! Please don't let this happen!" I fell to my knees at this point, looking at the ground. I couldn't believe it, I was going to be fired. From the only job that I liked and the only thing that kept my living arrangements stable. Dammit! I slammed my fist into the ground. Hard.
"Fuck!!!"
"I'm sorry.." Debra whispered, I almost didn't hear it.
I got up rubbing my knuckles, trying to ignore the pain that shot through them. I looked at Debra and it seemed as if she was on the verge of tears. "It's fine, it's not your fault. I'll..I'll find another job, I have to be good at something...right?" I chuckle hoping to lighten the mood. Success! I got her to smile slightly and chuckle with me at least.
"Yeah, I guess..I wish I could do something Jake, I really don't want to lose you as an employee." She says getting up and moving next to me. She pulled me into a hug. Now understand Debra is not one for hugs. Naturally though I return it, even if it was a little strange for her.
"It's fine, I'll swing by every now and again alright? Besides this place has the cheapest milk." She pulled away and gave me a smile as I returned one. "Well, I best get back to work" She gave me a confused look. "I'm not fired yet..boss" She smiled again and brought me in for another hug that I returned. When she let go I said goodbye and walked out.
'Fuck.' was the only word I could think as I closed the door to her office.
