After getting home later after my shift was over, I received another text on my cell phone. I changed out of my work clothes and got on something casual and comfortable to wear.
I checked my phone again. Looking at my messages, I read the text: "Come to an all-night midnight party celebration, on Halloween night, this year! Come alone and bring some snacks. And wear an animal mask of your choice. We're going to have fun!" The text read in my messages.
I didn't know what this was about. It seemed like it could be a scam. It didn't give me a contact name or address. I didn't know if this person should be trusted.
But I knew I didn't want to stay home by myself on Halloween this year. So, I replied to the text: "Who are you? Where is the party going to be held at?" I sent the text.
I didn't expect a reply. But just as I was about to put my work clothes in the washer machine in the laundry room, I got another text reply! I grabbed my phone out of my pants pocket. I read the text: "Greetings! Come to my party on Halloween at the Alive At Midnight Mansion gathering. It's going to be a scream!" the text read.
I didn't know much about the Alive At Midnight Mansion. But I knew where it was in our town by the graveyard. It wasn't far from my school. I knew my neighborhood well. But you could easily get lost when it gets dark time.
I walked to my bathroom and turned on the light switch. My hair was standing up and my eyes looked tired and sagging. I grabbed a washcloth from the towel rack next to my shower. Then, I wet the washcloth under the running water faucet in my bathroom sink. I washed my face with warm water to try to get the sleep out from my eyes.
After I was done, my eyes felt better and my face didn't look so exhausted from working too much at my video rental store. But I needed the money. So I'm not complaining.
I turned out my bathroom light switch and walked into my kitchen. I opened the refrigerator door. It swung open. I grabbed a cold diet soda pop out of my refrigerator. I popped open the can lid. And took a long sip of soda pop.
I usually don't have to do much around my little rental house. I keep my place neat and cleaned. It doesn't take long to make it messy though. I plopped myself down in my brown recliner in the living room. I grabbed the TV remote control sitting beside my armchair to my left. And then, I turned on my nice, widescreen television set.
But it wouldn't turn on after hitting the button. I groaned and looked at the back of the remote control. I checked to see if it needed batteries. When I slipped off the case to the battery holder, I gasped! There weren't even any batteries in my TV remote. How can this be possible?
I got out of my recliner in the living room. I walked into the kitchen. I opened a cabinet drawer. I had package of two triple A batteries left. I sighed and grabbed hold of the package of triple A batteries out of the kitchen drawer.
Putting in the triple A batteries one at a time in the TV remote control slots, I snapped on the cover to the back of the TV remote. Turning back into the living room, I pointed the remote control at my large, flat screen television, using the remote control again. And still, nothing happened!
Why is this happening to me? Then, I looked at the plug-in by the wall in the corner. I had forgotten to plug in the TV in the plug in next to the wall. I remember now I always unplug my TV after I'm done using it. So, I walked over to the plugin next to the wall. Bending down, I bend down and grabbed the cord to the plugin and put it the wall socket.
This has to work! I grabbed my TV remote and pressed on the remote control power button. That's when my cell phone rang! I jumped and dropped the remote control in my hand.
Grabbing my cell phone out of my pants pocket, I checked to see who was calling me. I looked at the caller ID. It was my manager from work! Oh no! Hope he's not calling me to come in to work tomorrow on my day off!
I answered the phone. "Hey, boss!" I said cheerfully. I gulped nervously. "How are you, tonight?" I asked, trying not to sound bashful.
"Listen, Hector, I need your help," said my manager, Mr. Mango, impatiently. "One of our employees called in sick today. Can you come in tomorrow morning around 11 AM sharp, to cover her shift? I'll double your salary for this!" he explained.
"Gee...I'd really love to boss," I lied. "But I've got plans," I said. Which was kind of like telling the truth. But when my boss on the other end of the phone laughed at me, I knew it wasn't buying anything I tell him.
Then, my manager started yelling at me on the end of the receiver: "Hector! You know we are short staffed at our company! I'm counting on you to make our business look it's best. You can do this for me and I'll will give you a raise. And buy your lunch. What do you say, kid?" Mr. Mango, my manager asked.
I groaned. I really wanted to go to the Halloween party... But it wasn't for another two weeks on a weekend. Maybe I can so make it. I sighed heavily. "Sure, of course. I'll cover the girl's shift tomorrow," I said.
The manager on the other end of my receiver shouted with victory. "Thanks, kid! You know I can always count on my star employee! You won't regret this!" He hung up.
It seemed everybody was looking for work. And when they do get hired somewhere, it seems like they don't want to work! It made me mad. At least I have a boss who's nice to me.
I didn't know what else to do at the moment. I charged my phone in the bedroom. I wasn't going to complain if I have to work more hours than what I can handle.
Finally, I climbed into my bed. Even though it was only eight PM, I had to get some sleep. Because tomorrow was going to be another long day at work.
Before I closed my eyes on my bed mattress, my phone buzzed next to my bed, beside me. I groaned, and climbed out of bed. To check the phone.
It was another text from the messenger!