Eyyy. Just more writing.

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My eyes burst open as I took in a deep breath. My head had shot up from the reflex, sending a straight shot of pain throughout my neck. I grabbed the back of it, groaning and letting it drop, trying to massage the ache away. But the act was in vain, no matter how hard I tugged at my skin.

I took in my surroundings with a bit of difficulty; the Safe Room was the way it had first been before I had fallen asleep. The lights were still on and the doors were still closed. The blackness outside the window, however, was being penetrated by Rory’s hefty, solid figure. He was standing on just the brink of where the light stopped illuminating the area outside.

I shot him a look of disgust and stood up slowly, all while keeping direct eye contact. I walked up to the table with my sweaty fists clenched and stood at the edge. It took me a few seconds to glance away, but swiftly I returned my gaze. His soulless sockets were staring intensely, as if he were trying to suck the life out of me. In another attempt to show no fear, I crossed arms and chewed my lip.

For years I’ve had to look at that fuzzy, ‘I’m-dead-inside’ look, and I’ve wanted to quit my job since my first week. But I couldn’t. I was what kept order in this place. No one else cared about the kids, the families, or the entire franchise. I couldn’t have left knowing everything would fall apart immediately after I stepped out the door. But these mascots…they were my constant reminder of how much I loathed working here.

“What? What’re you looking at?” I had spoken out against my fears only to feel more terrified. I had imagined this was what Rory wanted, to see me break. I had no true idea however, since this was my only time seeing them after hours. This is completely different than I had expected. I leaned forward over the table and rested my hands onto the hardwood. “Do you hate me?” I received no response.

His deafening silence, after attempting to murder me a few days ago, was digging a wedge into my brain. But keeping a cool head, I sighed in frustration. The next thing I knew I had turned around and was heading towards my right door. I pressed my open palm onto the green button, and it opened. I came back, pushing past my chair, and pressed the other door’s button as well. I turned to face him while staying beside the open doorway, leading into the darkness of the building.

I waited for him to make a move but nothing happened. The lion just stood there, still with those menacing pupils. He was perfectly still with his mechanical arms at his sides, and was standing at full attention. We both remained where we were for the next few minutes. But eventually, Rory sluggishly took a few steps backward, returning to the pitch-black.

His reaction had me roll my eyes and fling my arms halfway into the air. I wanted to shout out my frustrations, maybe loud enough so that I could fry his circuits, but all I did was let out a deep sigh. I retreated from the doorway and took heavy steps towards the table, carelessly snatching up another random document to read; I knew that after that show, Rory wasn’t planning on taking another step forward.

I fell into the chair and flicked my wrists, fixing the page. I read it in my head this time, hoping to not disturb, or entertain, Rory.




NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES

I want to review the rundowns that need to be taken care of for this week. To make this another successful year, we must get the following changes made no later than next Monday:

Davy the Crocodile has been caught cheating and hacking the arcade games to provide children with tickets and prizes. I respect his good intentions, but cheaters do not have a spot in my book, and we cannot keep paying for repairs. Send him to Repair after we close today.

Belle the Elephant has been reportedly making meals after hours, leaving the rotting food in the kitchen and on dining tables for the past few days. She has also broken the freezer’s lock. I have already filed a request for a new titanium lock, I only need Belle checked out on Tuesday.

Lola the Monkey is missing from her pedestal every morning. Everyone needs to be in their place before we can open our doors. She is getting better at avoiding the security cameras, but since she rarely leaves the safari area, she should be easy to find with a group. She’s scheduled for fixing on Wednesday.

Rory the Lion has been avoiding customers as of late, and nobody can seem to point out why. He usually just stays on his pedestal as something to be marveled at. He is being sent to have his gears checked on Thursday.

All other animatronics are to be fixed Friday. They have been unresponsive to any stimuli, but still do their jobs. They need to react to the kids, otherwise the place doesn’t seem friendly.

Once all is better, I would like some feedback at the end of next Monday. This ranges to everyone, including rumors spread by customers. Our job is to provide a fun, safe environment, and we shall.

You can send them by Email.

-Manger G.




I crumpled up the paper and tossed it onto the floor, where it would forever collect dust under the table. Those changes were never made. The Repair guy hadn’t shown up at all that week, so he was fired. No-one ever applied for the position afterwards.

I returned my attention to the dark. Rory was still there, I knew it. He was watching my frustration, my suffering. He wanted more of it.

Then suddenly the lights turned out. But they quickly came back on, now providing the room with a dim, red glow. Like the message had stated before, the primary generator had gone out, but the rechargeable backup had turned on. The outside lights were the same, it was only the inside that was red. I had imagined the doors still worked as well, but I didn’t have time to check for sure.

I hadn’t reacted from the sudden turn of events. I was glaring into the black, with the same, dead expression I knew Rory was returning to me. But eventually I had got up from my chair and stepped back behind it. Strapped to the leatherback and tucked away in a small compartment was a small tablet, directly connected to the backup generator by a cord that disappeared into the ground. I plucked it out of its container and turned it on with the simple press of a button, dropping back into my chair. I had only gotten up to grab the device, because I couldn’t retrieve or return it while seated. I also didn’t want my eyes to leave Rory’s.

On screen appeared a completely black loading screen except for the words, “Invigor Security and Inventory”. After a few minutes the security camera feed that recorded almost every inch of the building replaced it. There were thirteen cameras total in the building, all of which were visible side-by-side, in their own tiny boxes. The catch was that I had to tap the camera I wanted to look though, in order to actually see. Each tap also drained some of the power, along with the usage of the lights and the doors. I could see the amount I had left on the top of the screen, beside the time. Once the power hit zero, everything would turn off and I would be left to fend for myself, waiting six or seven hours for the next backup generator to recharge.

But for now I turned off the tablet’s screen, to save electricity. I then reached into my pocket for my flashlight and began shaking it back and forth; like the generator, it was also rechargeable. I never knew when I was going to need to run, so it was good to be prepared.

I sat there in near darkness, knowing nothing was going to happen. The arcade’s chime had just gone off, and as the man said, nothing happens after midnight.


“The Safari Funzone is closing for the night, it’s time, but we’ll be up and running again tomorrow! We hope you enjoyed your visit, it’s time, and we’ll see you soon!”