The lights, the stars; company on this drive, like so many before and so many ahead. The clock approaches midnight, and that same old sense of urgency pushes itself to the front of mind, edging out the lulled consciousness enjoying what there is to enjoy of night- mystery, mostly. Out of the car, through the barren parking lot that held far too few cars at this hour than an upright businessman, such as the owner of this very place, would long stand to behold. Flukes in the system; such is the nature of the third shift in America. All this left behind and found again with the closing of a door.
The warehouse is a piece of art. A picturesque path through the woods evokes a sense of what Thoreau’s soul must look like- this scene is the material embodiment of an entire sub culture. Coat rack time clock load the machine. There were others here- dozens, in fact. But this is solitude; mine anyway. But music… music is a great deceiver- it pulls you into the emotions of another man, in a different place, with different experiences. This deceiver is a great ally in a place like this. Load the pallet, green light, unload press play.
Static
Tune
Static
Tonight would be a long night.
-------
Drive home. Urgency replaced by fatigue, mystery by harsh daylight showing all for what it is. Radio, and a few hours of other distractions to pity the day. Then sleep.
-------
Coat rack time clock load the machine. Green light unload press play.
Static
Tune
Static
…
Tune
Static
The corners of the warehouse slowly close inward, meet the skull and pass through. Present rears its ugly head. Something has gone missing. This place is the same- double check left right. Unload load green light. It’s me- something is gone missing. I’ve lost it. Keys, cigarettes, phone; fool, they’re there.
I am not alone here. I’ve five minutes. Across the floor.
“Josh!”
-What?”
He’s tired. Comfortable. He has it. Surely. 4/4 seventh chord. Crash. He has it. Give it back. I can’t say that!
“What are you staring at?”
I can’t say that. Silence at my chair. Shit. Shuffle back. Unload load green light. Shuffle back.
“Simon!”
Tired, comfortable. He has it. They can’t both have it. What in the hell do they have?
Sit down.
Rub eyes.
Unload load green light.
Time clock coat rack.
-------
Cancer is the opposite- the opposite of this is cancer. For that be thankful. Negative growth, I feel like the cicada that wasn’t. I feel straw, hollow. They don’t. They took it. But I would have noticed, and they had their own. 4/4 seventh chord. Crash. I’m not missing a distraction. This is America. I’m missing the link. The chain! Or the magnet… Do I still have those?
Sleep.
-------
Urgency, mystery, then this. Through the door to leave it and find it again.
Coat rack time clock load green light
…
The foot taps and the corners of the room start their game, and here, and present, follows. I had it before, so the answer must be here somewhere. Shuffling. John Phillip Tom, all three tired, comfortable. They’ve theirs.
Unload load green light.
Tunestatictunestatictunestaticstaticstatic
Opening the toolbox reveals link chain and magnet. Pull them out to unload the part. Linked together the magnet holds and up and over and down. They are here, they do work. I’m not missing any parts. Load green light. I have what they have. But I don’t.
Static
BUZZER
Dissonant, blots out 4/4 seventh chord crash. Today there is a meeting. What is today? Today there is a meeting.
The conference room fills with us. We do the filling, though not one wants any part of it. Procedure, financial report bonus check.
Bonus check.
It fills them up. Look how they glow; like dying embers in the dark. What do they have?”
“What?”
Shit. Butterflies in the stomach, the only place butterflies bother here.
“Did you have a question?”
Well, sort of you b
“Sort of.”
“Yes?”
“
“…
“Will the new forklift arrive soon? The old one shut down again.”
“It will be here tomorrow. Anyone else?”
cornerscornerscornersstatic
staticstaticstatic
The room begins to empty. My shoes are untied.
“Son?”
!...-..?..
“Yea?”
“Take tomorrow off. Go talk to someone. You’re actin’ funny.”
Thanks
STATICSTaticStaticstatic Door
Daylight Drive Sleep
-------
Stiffness and drowsy. Sun in the window? I have the day off. I have the day off. I must have left it outside. Yes, surely- it isn’t to be found at the warehouse, I have my things there. It’s in the park! Of course.
I grab my keys and start my car and drive to the park.
Optimistic.
I park the car and go for a walk.
Children are playing and parents are enjoying each other’s company. Birds sing. Bikers. Concession.
static
static
static
