Week 10 [Iceberg & Last Lap]

 [Iceberg] 

I have been in the food industry for awhile now, and let me tell ya, it is so hard to find normal people. You always think “huh, they seem pretty cool and normal, nope! Their is always some thing bad and then I as the General Manager will have to come fix it. Right now I am stuck in one of those situations. My most recent manager hire is Bernard, he’s been in training for awhile now, but we’ve finally gotten him promoted as a kitchen manager. The only problem is that Bernard is very sketchy. I’ve come to find out that Bernard has been lying to us about his history after his background check came. He has had federal charges with stealing and selling fake products. Not to mention i have been hearing rumors circulating around the store that Bernard has been asking people for money to help pay off his own rent. After asking around many people said no, but their was one person i was sure that said yes. Ever since Bernard had gotten to the store he had clicked very well with one of our other managers Jack. Jack was 17 years old but he was one hell of a worker. I know that ever since Minnesota began quarantining because of COVID-19 that his parents had lost their jobs and so Jack had to work a lot more and help pay for the bills.

The next day, I went to work. Once I had gotten to the store I could already tell it was a bad morning. The vibe was off and the energy in the air was bitter. No one was talking, and no one was play music, it was just a quiet store. 

I was as nervous as ever, I was never good at confrontation. I slowly made my way the the back of house. As I walked through I couldn’t help but notice how dirty our morning team had left the back of house. Their was guacamole on the walls, and our floor that was once red was stained by sour cream and covered with pepper seeds. Normally this would set me off, but my mind was elsewhere. As I continued to walk through I saw Jack. 

“Hey Jack can you come into the office, I need to talk to you.”

Jack nodded and made his way to the office with me. 

Jack was always so energetic and talkative but this morning he seemed quiet, it helended in perfectly with the mood of the store. 

“Hey Jack, so I’ve been hearing things around the store and it has been brought to my attention that Bernard has been asking people for money, and I was wondering if he ever asked you. 

Jack looked so tense, with a little hesitation he responded saying “uh that’s weird, no he hasn’t asked me for any money.” 

I knew he was lying to me, I had to set him straight, “okay that is fine, I was just asking because I think I am gonna have to fire him next week. And if he did ask anyone for money I don’t think he will be able to pay them back if he is out of a job.”

Jack turned away to open the door and leave the office. As his hand approached the handle of the door their was a slight pause followed by “He did, he did ask me for money, and I ga-gave it to him.”

Jacks was turned away from me but I could feel that he was in tears. His shoulders were rolled forward and his head was down, he looked completely defeated. 

I knew it! That scumbag Bernard, “how much did you end up giving him?” 

Jack turned around and I was right. He was in tears, it was heartbreaking. I had never seen Jack like this before. 

Jack responded hesitantly saying “Six hundred, I gave him six hundred fu-fucking dollars.” Jack broke out in frustration in tears. 

“My family needs that fucking money, Bernard told me he would pay me back!!”

I couldn’t feel anything but sorry for Jack, “I know Jack, and I’m really sorry to hear that, but the chances are if we have to fire Bernard then I don’t think you’re gonna get your money back. He won’t have a stable income to pay you back.” 

I couldn’t imagine how it would feel to be in Jacks situation. The kid has a good heart, and he only wanted to help someone out. “Jack, Their is still a chance that Bernard will get you your money back but chances are very slim, why don’t you try texting him and try to get back as much as you can. Just know whatever is left, I will cover, even if that is the whole six hundred dollars.” 

As he brought his right arm up to wipe his tears he said “thank you” in great disappointment and shame. 

[Last Lap] 

Run run run!! I had just made past section B, and I was determined to go through every station until I found her. Their was no time to think, I had limited time. I could hear the footsteps of the Galatic drones behind me. They weren’t far, as I continued to run down the aisle I found a slit in a locker cell about 2ft wide and 7ft high. I’d be able to fit in perfectly. I quickly slid my way into the locker slit hoping to throw off the drones...and that I did. I watched all six of them continue to make their way down the aisle. Once the coast was clear I came back out and continued to follow my path. It seemed like such a long shot to find Rebecca, but I know I can. Regardless of how big this ship is, I just have this feeling. After continuously running through the ship I got caught at a four way stop. Their were four different paths and yet I decided so fast on taking the lane farthest to my right. I just didn’t have to think, I couldn’t think, my body was functioning on its own command. 

Oh shit, I could hear the loud footsteps of drones approaching my way. I had nowhere to hide. 

“Hey get back here, before we shoot. F195 we found the intruder, he is located on upper deck station G.” 

My body was full of adrenaline, but yet a part of me was enjoying it. It was beautiful, not having to think and to just flow without a worry in the world. I had ran back to the four way stop from before this time I took a different path. As I vomited to run through the path I noticed it was too narrow, they’d be able to shoot me from any distance. I quickly looked left and right to find any storage rooms and or lockers. Ahead of me was a new section, but this one was much different from the rest. It was much more fancy, with a shiny silver canopy along with many rooms. I sprinted as fast as I could ahead and made my way into the third room on the right. As the door flew up my heart dropped. There she was, Rebecca. She was as beautiful as I remember. Her long red hair laid flat on the cushion while she slept. Her eyes began to slowly open. 

“Jordan is that you! Oh it can’t be! I’ve missed you!” 

She jumped out of bed and approached me with her arms wide open. 

A few seconds later, her body dropped to the floor as she gagged in agony for a breathe of air. They shot her in the stomach, and I was next.