The Warrior of the Moon

Chapter I

Meet the associate

A nightmare consisting of blurry images of blood colored muzzle flashes, gender-less screaming and gunfire caused me to wake in cold sweat.  My chest felt heavy as if I had been running. Eyes felt dry but that is typical from sleeping the day away. Stiff, sore and quietly cranky I pulled my self from this beat up bed.Staggering to my feet, I popped my back, neck with the rest of my body cracking with the slightest movement, “Need a new bed.” murmured from my dry mouth as I grabbed my work clothes before staggering off into the bathroom.

Showered, skipped the shave for tonight, then got dressed; Then finally, kitchen and/or living room.  A simple breakfast accompanying a game session on the PS3 before it was time to finish getting ready to go.  Once boots were on, lunch bag set, pack on, I checked for any lights left on, then out the door I went.

"Another buck, Another day in the suck." I thought aloud as I locked the house behind me. Trudging through the light rain, I unlock my trusty steel steed, the Jimmy's locks chunked twice before I threw my back pack and lunch bag into the back seat before climbing into the driver seat; my shuffle plugged into the tape adapter.

Unlike most Jimmy's, this particular GMC was rather, unique. There were wires that supposed to connect to the ignition switch to the starter, the pump and the computers in general. So, with them worn and/or shorted out, the car it self will not start. Thankfully, my father and I Jerry rigged a switch that would by pass the dead wires to force the car to function.

Clicking the switch the dash board came to life and the interior light went out. Since Most 90s era cars and trucks had an issue with the winter weather, or at least this one did; It took awhile for the engine to turn over. A few spins later, the car rattled to life. backing up, I jockeyed this tank of an SUV in this cramped parking lot before I could finally roll down to the gravel driveway entrance.  Letting some speeding traffic pass, I turned right on my road then a quick left down Grandview, Seconds later, left on Fruitdale. The drive should be at least a six minuet cruise to make it to work but with it being after hours however, the traffic would be still thick. Right turn and up Parkdale drive only to stop at the first red light.

Waiting for the change, I flipped through tracks on the shuffle till I found 'Two Elixirs'; rolling through the intersection I let my ears get lost in the words while I drove up the road.  Up ahead, was another intersection, Green light; Made right and cruised on up redwood highway and followed it with the rest of the traffic.

Another bridge and another right at another intersection later, I was on the back road leading pass the parkway village, further down, remnants of buildings stand derelict due to a failing economy, the mill still stood tall but never for months had anyone see the familiar white plume of steam billow from the only stack; The neighboring wood working warehouse now a smoked out husk of what it used to be.  My real destination was marked with a tall, bullet riddled sign that still had functioning lights.  despite it's disfigurements, the plastic sign still bore the two words that once meant a casual, enjoyable walk through the store, now a sign of dread of the place I now worked for.

WalMart

This superstore stood the test of time for sure, but diffidently was the sight of several news worthy events. Such as the December Riot that sent six of my fellow overnight associates to three rivers and established the unofficial policy allowing the remaining workers of the overnight team to conceal carry and/or open carry. Pulling into associate parking, I turned the shuffle off, got out, got my gear, hooked up a pair of ear buds to the shuffle, closed up, locked the car, then walked into the store with out pausing in step.

Checked my watch, 8:38, enough time to swing through grocery side, grab a dollar pasta cup and a monster. Cashed out at self check, then hoofed all the way to the back. Stuffed my feeble lunch into the blue econ bag then crammed it onto a shelf in one of the refrigerators. Next, was taking my corner, AKA the Maintenance table. My pack found the portable table top's surface with a audible 'thunk!' Zipping it open, I pulled the essentials out of the pack; the new standard issue associate vest, a thin piece of blue cloth with "proud associate" on the right shoulder with a distinctive golden spark printed on the back; an epic bulls-eye to ware when working by the way.

next was my water bottle pouch, a memento from years ago when I was a humble member of a trail maintenance crew working for the BLM.  Now, it carries any random water bottle that I get or find unopened through out the store.  Upon dumping the contents, box cutter, radio ear piece, pen, sharpie and my baton.

The baton was an ASP collapsible baton that would extend with a hard flick of the wrist and would require a hard surface to collapse it back into the hilt. It took it's home in the right side pocket on my khaki color carpenter jeans, at least for tonight anyway. Clipped the box cutter to the belt and tucked the rest of my work related items into my vest.  fished out my name badge, the life line to any associate in this company, with out it, you can't clock in, go to meal and so on.

While this new “policy” had allowed associates to carry the means to protect themselves , I too took up on this gig and opened carried my Norinco Handgun; However, after failing to find a comfortable location on my person to carry it as well the holster kept getting snagged on everything in the store, I decided to keep it in my pack just encase trouble came storming through those front doors.

Normally, there would be the one other maintaince associate seated here waiting for time to pass slowly while we waited for the clock to strike closer to the punch in time. Yet, tonight would be different, either he called out or is BSing with one of the closing shift crew.

After hurrying around I had to wait for time to catch up, yet at the same time it felt like it would be hours before anything can happen.  Wait, time check:

8:55, Good, time to step out of the break room.

Standing out here in the hall way, I can hear the unloaders in the GM backroom behind me doing their part of the work, but I think it is getting close to their break time or lunch; hell I don't remember, it was a long time since I was one of them.

8:59, close enough, swipe!

after a short tone, the screen lagged on.

Alexander, select punch type

or select MENU for more options

With out thinking I reached up and pressed the top left button.

Punch accepted, Alexander

Smirked at the clock, for several months this clock and it's cousin just a few feet away had both been polite to take my punches. Though,  I wouldn't mind punching this clock regardless if it wanted to take my punch or not; wouldn't of done any good but it would make one feel better knowing at least some contraption of this company would feel my pain.

Clipping the badge to the slit on the left shoulder of my vest, I hurry down the hallways. A lot of people have seen the main floor or sales floor, but the real Walmart is what is behind those “associate only” doors you walk by every day.  bins, racks and concrete floors filled with merchandise and other supplies to make the store function, Each item seen on the floor is organized based on where they are through out the store.

I passed the maintenance closet, checked for any new 99 supplies, nothing yet, another week of slow orders I concluded. passed the beat up machines parked next to the closet, both had their lids propped open with their charging cords strung out and plugged in.

I quietly cheered that maintenance will have (sort of) working machines tonight. Most of the time-well, all the time; we are at the mercy of the shifts before us to keep the machines working for we all share these aging cleaning machines. The only thing newish here would be the tiny buffer with it's bright green plasticy body sat ready for work as it too was charging.

Aside from this, my real job was just a short walk down the next corridor. The storage shelves carried infant supplies further down, gave way to the massive collection of shoes that would make any east coast brat squee with glee, opposite side of the material things was a wall of shelves that carried snacks destined to eventually fill the shelves out on the floor. Within a minuet the corridor gave way to the grocery back room.

THE most cluttered room in the building, pallets of candies and floor bins of unstocked items littered the floor while shelves and upper bins filled with merchandise that couldn't go to the floor.  I fixed my eyes on the seven unwrapped pallets of food items that just came off the grocery truck, they towered over me but I wasn't intimidated.

I drew my box cutter, gave a few quick squeezes on the yellow grip, making the tiny razor blade click with each rappid squeeze; all the while eyeing a pallet loaded with mostly coffee items, pasta items and snacks.  Clicking the cutter one more time, "lets do this." I reached up and sliced the industrial saran wrap cocoon open.

Grabbed a rocket cart and started my first part of my shift:

Down stacking

Even with the help of a fellow maintenance associate and the support manager assigned to this side of the store, this little 'bout with the pallets took nearly one an half hours of the shift to complete. As usual, the beverages took the longest, cases of water, soda and various juices had to be separated from the pallet then organized into separate carts or pallets to be sent to their corresponding locations on the sales floor.

The last cart I pulled was full of random items meant for the pharmacy department, which of course was on the other side of the massive store, I think about roughly a mile walk to just drop these stupid things off. oh well, start pulling! I lugged the cart through grocery side, down an action alley then across the apparel departments, made a right before housewares then a left at seasonal.

Dropped the cart off next to some of the new fright that filled any space possible. over here, turned around and headed back to see what is left of the new freight in the backroom.  "This is all of it." I was told while the last pallet was being pulled by my fellow member of maintince.

"Awesome, now to do my real job." I half joked with the other maintenance associate as I passed him, "I know right?”

Normally, I would do my usual walk through the back room then loop around through site-to-store to the front to hopefully find a decent radio to carry for the night. Walking up to the front I meandered to the computer podium, scanned my badge to read what my tasks weere for tonight.  While the slow computer worked on the overburdened network, I mentally calculated my work week so far.

Lets see, today would be my Thursday, normally, I would get outside duties while the rest of the poor saps gets the inside crap. Sure enough, my guesses were right when my guide finally loaded up to only display three tasks;

OUTSIDE TRASH

OUTSIDE CLEAN UP, CANS AND BOTTLES

SWEEP FLOORS

Of course, the last task was typically given to all maintenance due to the fact that some unreal expectation dictates that I would get my job done in time to push a broom through out the store to make way for one of the scrubbers.

HA!

Right and I would wake up one day knowing that this job would be Deemed pointless because of some unexpected event. God damn it I sure wish it being a nuke or something; Logging off, I turned to walk into customer service when the self proclaimed manager of maintenance caught up with me to toss me the keys to the cans and bottle machines. "You got outside tonight."

"Yep, Saw the tasks already."

"Think you're going to need help out there?"

"Not really, I saw Timmy was out there tonight, so I think I got a handle on things."

That's how it normally goes when he passes the keys to me. During my Thursdays and Fridays an awesome stock man team would be working the parking lot, keeping the area clear of shopping carts. After they leave, it would be up to overnight maintenance to pick up where they leave off.  With a shrug I go into the back of customer service, sign out a radio, clip it to my belt and sure enough not a second after I turned the nob I hear someone over the line.

"Maintenance."

grumbling before I gripped the mic piece, "Go ahead." I released the talk button, "Can we get a scrubber over to isle fifteen?  We got a spill over there." Before I could reply a quick, "I'll be on it." came over the line.  "Thank you Doug." I mumbled aloud keeping my thumb off the talk button.

I walked into the back once again to collect my coat as well whatever trash bags I can scavenge in the closet to do the outside trash as well a bundle of latex gloves that would prove some help for dealing with the horrors of those trashcans. While scrounging the closet, "Hey Josh," I turned to see one of the eleven'o'clock maintenance had clocked in on time.

"Oh, sup man," I gestured a quick wave as I dug into the bag boxes. "Got outside?" He asked noting my jacket, "Yep, Nothing like being thrown out into the cold." I stating with a frown.  "pff, Can't really say I would want to be out there tonight."

"Nor do I inside."

The Associate that stood there chatting with me was a tall stout boy, Stood easily six-something, wore yellow tinted glasses (mostly to combat the glare of the interior lighting); He wore his vest open for it also was a mismatch in size, Hanging from the same slit like mine, was a badge reading 'Jonathon'. He eyed the busted up scrubber still parked there, there was now an empty space where one of them did stood. "Got a spill out there already, Doug took the Cadillac out to clean it up." Jon made an exaggerated frown at the empty space, fallowed by a matching glare, "What kind?"

"Isle fifteen I think."

"Oh shit." He face palmed, "At least he should of taken a du-" he saw that the small broom and dustpan where still hanging from their screws. "-Never mind!" he threw his hands up before turning to the other scrubber. "Pray he doesn't screw up the new squeegee on the glass." I commented as I dug out a half roll of smoky gray collection bags and a full roll of green extra large bags.

"So do I, it wasn't easy getting these two ordered as is." He noted taking the squeegee tray off from the scrubber and proceeded to take it apart to clean it. It was his opening ritual to clean the machine he would be using most of the night. "No kiddn', I don't even think he expects to clean anything other than that mess, whatever it is."

"Nnnope."

I pocketed the rolls into my jacket before proceeding to, "Who's sweeping?" Jon asked as he grabbed a spray bottle filled with a mixture of cleaning liquids of my design. "Lets see, Seven should be sweeping, Leon is stuck stocking in grocery again."

Jon shook his head in disapproval, "Agreed," I replied in agreement; "I think Jim is here tonight so bathrooms are covered." Paused to think, "They probably got Doug waxing tonight, then they got me outside tonight." Jon sprayed the crap out of the reddish squeegee blades as he listened, used paper towels to clean the gunk that had built up from being used all day.

"Just hope Doug brings the Caddy back before setting up the wax zone," I noted finally, "I know, He knows better than to take the Cadillac anywhere near waxing." John grumbled, "Fff Its not going to be a long night."

"Oh not at all." I laughed as I walked through the swing door into the sit-to-store, "Good luck tonight!"

"This is Walmart, Luck has nothing to do with it." That added to our morbid humor as he gestured at the parts before him, "Lets do dis!" I hear as the door closed behind me. I only smiled at our black humor we cook up at the expense of the company we work for. I cross the store yet again, using apparel as a short cut to get to the front.

Noted that the cart walls were already up and Steven was making passes around the front registers pushing a dust mop along the floor supporting it with a scrapper. I headed for grocery entrance. Took a step outside and the cold air hit me like a sheet wall of cold.

Steam exhaled from my mouth as I scanned the parking lot that was put into my care for tonight. Sure enough the carts were removed from the lot but plenty more were being generated from the late night shoppers. Looking up, I noticed the sky is clouded up again, figures, cloudy skies would result in another foggy night.

Taking another look at the lot I take a deep cold breath before letting it in a quiet huff, "Another night in paradise."  I nodded before walking right to check on the recycling machines.

5:47 AM

Three trips with the trash, four cans-n-bottle calls, Lunch at some point, two hand counts and lastly watch a shoplifter get walked out in cuffs by one of the few remaining PD that worked in this town.  All was left was the shopping carts at this point.  Outside maintenance is provided with a cart pushing machine but I refuse to use for I spend more time fighting with it in the cart corrals than actually making any use of it.

So, I do it the old fashion way by pushing and shoving short strings of carts to the cart bay door or the stockpile of carts that stacked against the wall on this side of the store.  I checked the time after I added my current string to the stock pile.

Time to check the radio in and proceed to get out of this eye sore. I removed my soggy gloves, tossed the latex I wore under neath them, then walked towards the smoke registers to hand over my radio to one of the Customer service Associates before turning to walk to the back one last time.

I looked at the time clock.

6:02

Oh whoops, running late to clock out, oh dear me. Riight, any over time is good time to me. I swiped my badge, pressed the bottom left button then walked into the break room. I took everything off before stuffing it into my back pack. Threw my pack on, grabbed my lunch bag.

With in minuets I was walking on out of here before anyone can stop me for anything, well, only stopping enough to playfully mock the guys for leaving early. John was, on time, scrubbing the floors around grocery. He gave me a glare as I walked by, "I so envy you right now."

"See ya!" I waved the victory gesture at him as I walked by the slow moving scrubber. "Have a good one."

"You too." And I was out of the building with out incident.

6:19

I pile myself and everything else into the Jimmy before carefully climbing into the driver seat. Constantly walking on one's feet, you wouldn't really notice the toll it takes on the body till, you get into your car.

I gritted my teeth from the uncomfortable stiffness and soreness as I sat down. pulled the door closed before going limp briefly. I couldn't-wait, wouldn't move for a few moments as my body tried to quit on me. I forced the willpower out of me to set, turn the key, flip the switch then start the car.

My shuffle's music carried me home while I did sing along with one or two of the tracks.

-

HOME, home at last.

I pulled into my parking space, half under a car port awning. I turned everything off and just sat there. "I don't want to moove." I groaned aloud. My body protested the very thought of getting out of the car to get inside. I fought the internal struggle of fatigue for a few minuets before the awesome power of will compelled me to open the door, take off that seat belt of course.

Half-way falling out of the car, dig the lunch bag from the back seat, close the car, lock it then stagger to the front door.  The faint salmon colored duplex wasn't really much of a place, but it was home.  Well, a bad choice of a home. I fiddled with the keys before finding the house get, wait not mom-n-dad's house key, but mine.

Fitting the key, I turned the first lock, the dead bolt chunked open, then the main nob. Staggering inside, I removed the keys then closed the door behind me. "Honey, I'm home." I spoke to my self as I worked the dead bolt behind me.  The click of the bolt seemed to of echoed in the room.

My apartment wasn't the prettiest of furnished homes but still carried the signs of a recent bachelor pad.  The living room had a mismatch of a couch, two chairs and a futon.  My desktop occupied the computer desk closest to one corner of the room.

The TV didn't have an entertainment center but an antique coffee table to use as a stand for gaming or movies (mostly gaming of course).  To its sides where two book cases, one for movies, the other for games. The floor to the living room was divided by a metal band across the floor, beyond that, was the kitchen/dinning room.

The table, which my laptop sat on one end, had old kitchen chairs lining the sides. The kitchen it self was small, several feet of counter top spaces, a 90s era stove/oven set up, a probably late 80s era dishwasher complete with a matching fridge from probably the same time period.

Tossed the bag on the cluttered counter top, I took a glass from the cupboard to take a shot of water before taking a seat at the futon to remove my boots.  It was late, and even though there was a pull to smash face on payday, I did not want it. My bed had the bigger pull at this point in the morning.

Wobbling to the bedroom, I took my antique Samsung to check my alarm. I had it set for way later this afternoon and hopefully I can pull myself out of bed with the sheer motive that it's my Friday. Closing the door to the tiny bed room, I dressed down, took my watch off, wound it before pocket it; adjusted the black out curtains.

Stumbled over one of the laundry bags with the bed breaking my fall. not really caring of the complaining the muscles made from the fall, I pulled blankets over me.  I partially crawled out of the floor bound bed to close the door to my bedroom before laying back.

As if on que, my brain decided to say it isn't done yet, random scenes from unwritten stories and monologues of unmade characters echoed in my head as I laid there in the dark. Tossing and turning, I eventually found a sweet spot on the bed that made me finally relax enough to drift away from my thoughts.

No dream came to me this morning, just drifted away into the black of my mind.