Inside, Arthur smoothed down his polyester vest. The fabric was so thin it felt like wearing a plastic grocery bag. It was 3:17 AM. The air smelled of burnt, day-old hazelnut coffee and floor disinfectant that failed to mask the scent of damp cardboard.
The glass double doors slid apart with a heavy, pneumatic sigh. A blast of cold, wet air rushed in, followed by a man wearing one shoe and a rain-soaked trench coat. He didn't look at Arthur. He walked straight to the back, his wet foot making a rhythmic slap... squeak... slap... squeak against the linoleum.
Your name tag. You work at the hardware store down the road. They have a sign that says "Welcome." We have a sign that apologizes for our continued existence. Look at the window.
Inside, Arthur smoothed down his polyester vest. The fabric was so thin it felt like wearing a plastic grocery bag. It was 3:17 AM. The air smelled of burnt, day-old hazelnut coffee and floor disinfectant that failed to mask the scent of damp cardboard.
The glass double doors slid apart with a heavy, pneumatic sigh. A blast of cold, wet air rushed in, followed by a man wearing one shoe and a rain-soaked trench coat. He didn't look at Arthur. He walked straight to the back, his wet foot making a rhythmic slap... squeak... slap... squeak against the linoleum.
Your name tag. You work at the hardware store down the road. They have a sign that says "Welcome." We have a sign that apologizes for our continued existence. Look at the window.