Russell has his earphones in listening to music on his phone. He is very focused on the tasks which he must do. He starts to empty all the trash cans located on his floors, and replaces the trash bags as well. He notices that for such a large building, there aren’t that many trash cans in the halls. He also notices that due to the amount of trash, he’s surprised he doesn’t see that many employees roaming about. This is very peculiar and puzzling to him, but he carries on with his work. He continues to empty all the trash, as he pushes his trash cart. It fills up father than Russell anticipated for. As his trash cart is full, he needs to empty it in the dumpster. He steadily hauls the full trash cart on the elevator, and heads down to the parking structure to empty it in the dumpster. He then takes the empty trash cart back in the building, storing it in the supply closet.
Kevin is starting to become agitated and irritated doing his work. He is listening to political podcasts on his phone, with his earphones on. He begins to clean the toilets on the floor he’s assigned. He makes sure that the soap in the bathroom is full, and that the bathroom is structured nice and neat. Kevin then begins to mop the floor of the bathroom. Once he’s done with that, he carries on to the other bathroom to do the same tasks as he did in the one before. Kevin already is feeling tired, and its only day number one. He’s not happy cleaning bathrooms at all, but understands quite frankly the job must be done.
Victor is doing his tasks rather well, and doesn’t seem to be irritated or bothered. He goes into the break rooms of the floors he has to clean, and makes sure they are all cared for. He empties the trash, sweeps and mops the floor. He mops the floor on the lobby, and mops all the floors in the foyers of the private rooms. The last two floors which Victor is in charge of, remarkably are the biggest, and contain the most vestibules and common rooms and lobbies. But the final two floors usually are the quietest. For someone like Victor who likes things peaceful and quiet, that is an advantage for him.
Brian is on the main floor, and doing his tasks and having a happy attitude to himself, keeping a smile on his face. The first floor is typically the busiest, but for Brian this is something that doesn’t really phase him. He gets to see patrons in the building, talking to them and greeting them. Occasionally having small talk. Brian is always making sure all the tasks on the first floor are done accordingly, as the first floor has the most activity. It has to be kept in a proper clean pristine condition, due to that very reason. The trash can in the first floor seems to always be full, which kind of makes Brian annoyed. It’s understandable as it’s the first floor, and he doesn’t mind it as much, once he puts it in that perspective.
As the men continue to work, their break time is slowly approaching. All of them are beginning to feel drained from all the work they are doing. This is in fact hard work, having to clean a large building such as this. While doing this however, it causes them to bond and work together to accomplish all of their tasks. Intermittently, they come into contact with each other while they are working. Usually to get items from the supply closet, or when they have to empty their trash on the lower level. The men endure and persevere through their tasks until break, which is slowly but surely coming. Kevin is really anticipating his break, as he really wants to relax for a while. Out of all the men, he’s the one whom is the most tired. He pulls out his phone almost every ten minutes checking to see if it’s break time, as he’s that anxious about it. All of the men continue their work, despite the fatigue they are feeling.
Finally, break time soon approaches. The men are each able to have a one-hour break from four until five. They can leave the building and get something to eat, but they must be back working at five. Once five approaches, the men must now do evening tasks such as cleaning private office rooms, and the first floor must also be power mopped, which this is typically the final task of each day. Then they must lock all the doors. Kevin who’s feeling very jubilant and excited for break, takes out his phone and starts to order samosas from a nearby restaurant. samosas are deep fried foods that have chili peppers, potatoes, onions, peas, and meat in them. After placing his order in his phone, Kevin tries to locate Russell, as he has something to tell him. He continues to walk through the building looking for Russell, feeling anxious. When Kevin finally sees Russell down a hallway, he runs towards him, talking to him very fast
“Russ, Russ! It’s break time man come on. I’ve ordered us some samosas. You like those right Russ? Hey Russ, follow me right quick, I want to show you something. But you have to keep quiet man, don’t go running your mouth and don’t overreact either.”
Russell gives Kevin a very skeptical look, and follows him to a secluded staircase. Kevin shuts the door to the staircase, and they stand in the stairwell, off the side. Kevin pulls out a bag of marijuana, waving in it Russell’s face who looks shocked. Kevin then whispers to him.
“I got that good good, sticky icky, skeet skeet, cheeba cheeba, reefer, Mary Jane, Russ! This is enough for all five of us. Like I said I ordered some samosas they should be ready in about a few minutes. We have to find a place to smoke this.”
Russell is extremely aghast, and snaps back at Kevin angrily, whispering to him.
“Kev, you are beyond repair man. Beyond repair. I should have known you had pot on you, I should have checked you. Fuck. We can’t smoke that shit here; we have to find a park or something. Damn, Kev. You brought pot? Really? Ugh.”
Kevin starts to laugh at Russell, and puts the bag of marijuana back in his pocket. He then hears someone about to open the staircase door, and its Brian. Kevin then waves the bag at him. Brian widens his eyes and looks at Kevin in shock, angrily clapping at him.
“Oh no you didn’t. Tell me that isn’t what I think it is. We can’t smoke that here though. I can take a few hits, I could use some, but all of us are in deep trouble if we smoke that here.”
Russell starts to shake his head, and Kevin who was staring at him begins to laugh. The three of them locate Jesse and Victor, and all five of them head down to the parking lot. Brian buys five bottles of water from the break room vending machine, and hands one to each of the guys. Once they are in the parking lot, Kevin then starts to wave the bag of marijuana at Jesse and Victor, who are shocked and surprised over this as well. Russell, Kevin and Jesse then get in Russell’s car, and Victor rides in Brian’s car, as they drive towards the restaurant to pick up the samosas. Leaving the restaurant, they then drive a short distance to a park that Russell recommends. While Russell is driving, Kevin reaches in his pocket, taking out the marijuana bag. He begins to roll two small marijuana joints. Russell watches this and laughs at him, shaking his head. Kevin while he’s rolling the joints, then softly speaks to Russell.
“Russ we don’t have much time, we gotta get back to this cleaning shit. So if I roll two joints, there wouldn’t be so much waiting and repetition passing. I want all of us to get high.”
Russell again shakes his head and laughs at Kevin. Both he and Brian a couple minutes later, reach this very quiet and quaint park with many trees, flowers and natural plants. From the park, you can see the downtown skyscrapers. Russell looks around this quiet and peaceful park, and notices a young hippie couple, a man and a woman kissing under a nice shaded tree, with their bikes located right next to them. This park is simply wonderful and magnificent. Not only is the scenic view breathtaking, but the scent of nature and the plants is also splendid. Brian takes his phone out his pocket, and begins to play some Hip-Hop music on an internet radio application on his phone. The five men walk through the park, until they see an intimate area on the back corner of the park that has a table with a bench attached. They all sit down on the bench. Russell sets the box of samosas down, and Victor quickly scarfs one. Kevin then hands one of the marijuana joints to Jesse who’s lights it, and Kevin lights the other one for himself. While he’s taking a hit from the joint, Kevin starts to whisper to Russell, with a very soft relaxed voice.
“Oh man Russ, this park beautiful man. Nice secret little spot. Very cozy a
nd lovely.”
Kevin passes the marijuana joint to Russell, who takes a puff of it. Jesse after taking a hit from the joint, gives it to Victor who takes a hit. Jesse then grabs a samosa, and while eating it speaks to Kevin in a very quiet tone.
“Thanks Kevin. You have balls for doing that, but thank you so much. That was good.”
Kevin socks Russell on the shoulder to get his attention, passing him the joint. Kevin and Jesse then fist bump. Kevin also fist bumps Victor. Russell takes a couple hits from the joint, then passes it to Brian. Russell then reaches into the samosa box and starts to eat one. Brian fist bumps Kevin, and takes a hit from the joint. The guys then start to feel the effect of the marijuana, and become more relaxed with themselves. Victor takes another hit of the joint, and passes it Jesse. Brian then takes another hit, and hands the joint to Kevin, who takes another hit. Brian then grabs a samosa and eats it. Brian then starts to talk to Kevin.
“Thanks man, this is what I call a good break. Russell, you got a good friend man. Ha-ha.”
Kevin fist bumps Brian again. Kevin then punches Russell on the shoulder passing him the joint. Kevin while smiling at Russell, takes a samosa and begins to eat it. He then talks to Russell in a very smooth manner.
“Hey Russ, you feeling good man? You feeling relaxed buddy? Shit, I know I am.”
Russell takes another hit of the joint. While looking at the scenery, he responds to Kevin.
“Ha-ha, fuck you Kev. You’re something else man. What will I do without you Kev?”
Russell shakes his head and hands the joint to Brian. Jesse takes another hit, and passes it to Victor, who’s chomping down on the last samosa. After eating his samosa, Victor gets up and throws the empty box of away in the trash. Victor then takes another hit from the joint. Jesse begins to get up from the bench, and starts to dance and mime to the Hip-Hop music that Brian is playing on his phone. He is dancing in complete rhythm and timing towards the music. The track is a remix of “Runaway Love” by Justin Bieber. Featuring Raekwon from the Wu-Tang Clan, and Kanye West. Russell, Kevin, Brian and Victor watch Jesse’s performance, laughing at him in a friendly and encouraging way. While Jesse is dancing, he walks over to where Russell is and stands in front of him. Jesse begins to rub Russell’s shoulders, while he’s continuing to dance to the music. The rest of the guys laugh at this as well. Russell then rubs Jesse on his back, and Jesse then returns to the area he was before, and resumes his dancing. Brian after taking hits from the joint, quickly passes it to Kevin. Kevin takes another hit from the joint. Kevin passes the joint to Russell.
“Hey Russ, we gotta start heading back man in a bit. All of us are so fucked up, but we gotta get back to work. But we are so relaxed now to finish off the day. Right man?”
Russell takes another hit of the joint, and doesn’t respond to what Kevin said. He passes the joint to Brian, and Russell looks down towards the ground, shaking his head. Victor takes another hit of the joint. Victor then hands it to Kevin, who puts the joint in his marijuana bag. Brian hands the joint he has, back to Kevin. Kevin puts this joint in the bag as well. The men hang around the bench area for a while, relaxing themselves. They must report back to work very soon however. Jesse continues to dance to more music on the phone until the internet radio on the phone takes an advertising break. Brian then grabs his phone and shuts the application off. All of the guys except Russell, start heading out of the park.
Russell looks out towards the horizon of park, and takes a swallow of his water. He laughs and shakes his head. He then gets up from the bench, and joins the other guys as they head back to work.
Chapter 12
NOTHING COLD, NOTHING HOT
The men returned to work after their break. They quickly got started on their evening activities, that they must complete before they are allowed to end their work day. After they return from break from five until nine, they have additional tasks they must do. Including the tasks they are in charge of doing before going on break, which they also have to finish. These additional tasks include cleaning private office rooms and conference rooms. The first floor must be power mopped, and all doors in the building, including the front door, must be locked before they leave. During this time, employees and patrons of the building have gone home, and are usually not present. It allows more freedom from the guys to work in peace and quiet. Each of them perform their tasks without any issues or problems. The evening tasks however, are more difficult and more stressful. There are more rooms and areas to cover, which equals to more work and effort that has to be done. But due to them already being established on how the cleaning procedures work, it makes the job slightly easier to deal with and handle.
Russell continues with his work, and he has his headphones on. He is now vacuuming the rooms located on his floors, and continues on with his cleaning duties. However, while he’s cleaning, Russell notices there are many private vacant board rooms in this building. He starts to wonder if they all complete their tasks early enough, they could possibly hang out in these rooms and talk in private. Russell continues with his tasks, yet still having this thought on his mind.
Kevin who is vacuuming a room which has many computer terminals, gets distracted and bored for a minute. He wants to play a game on one of the computers, but he is feeling scared about the chances of getting caught. He looks around to see if there is anyone else in the area. Once he finds out no one is there, he sits down at one of the monitors. He starts to play an action space game. After twenty minutes, Kevin starts to feel guilty for slacking off, and shuts the computer terminal off. He grabs the vacuum and continues with his work.
Jesse is paying attention to his work, and has his headphones on listening to music as he continues to clean and accomplishes all of his tasks. He proceeds to empty all the trash located in the office rooms, and refills each of the trash cans. Now that they have to clean the office rooms, there is more trash to collect and to dispose of.
Victor is completing his tasks without any issue. He does realize that the top two floors have the most amount of rooms, and the biggest sized rooms. Because of this, he works extremely efficient, to get everything clean and done. Although he still deals with issues surrounding his anxiety, cleaning makes him comfortable.
Brian, who’s in charge of the first two floors, is arguably working the hardest out of all the men. The first floor has much space to cover, and as it’s the first part of the building people usually see, it must be always kept in a perfect condition. He is listening to music on his headphones. Brian cleans all the lobbies and rooms on the main floor. Once he’s finished with most of his tasks, Brian goes into the supply closet to get the power mop. One of the final tasks, requires that the first floor must be power mopped before all of them can leave. He then starts to deep clean the floor, with much accuracy.
All the men begin to wrap up most of their tasks, and prepare to suspend their work day. Russell and Kevin end up making a trash run at the same time. They both run into each other in the elevator, heading down to the lower level. Kevin begins speaks to Russell.
“Hey Russ, you almost done man? After this I am. All my floors are clean as a whistle.”
Russell looks over at Kevin and he responds to his question.
“Yeah Kev. I’m basically done myself, and I did everything I had to do.”
Kevin nods his head at Russell. They both get out of the elevator and head to the lower level parking structure. After dumping the contents of the trash carts into the dumpsters, they immediately head back inside the building to return their trash carts to the supply closet. Once they return their carts, Kevin pulls out his phone and notices that they still have quite some time before their day is over. Russell also pulls out and checks his phone to check the time. He then goes back to the idea he had in his head earlier and reveals this to Kevin.
“Hey Kev, this building has a lot of empty rooms. This could be a perfect place for us all to talk about the ‘you know what’. These rooms are very private and nobody will
bother us. We are gonna have all this extra time before we have to go out anyways? Let’s use that time.”
Kevin rests his hands behind his neck, and nods his head towards Russell. He then responds.
“You’re absolutely right Russ. Especially if you’re planning on doing the ‘you know what’ this Friday. That only gives us a few more days to plan and prepare for it.”
Russell nods his head, while looking down at the floor. Jesse, Victor, and Brian during this time, are in the process of finishing all of their duties. When they finally finish, all five men congregate with each other on the main floor. Russell then starts to speak to everyone.
“Guys, we have quite some time left before it’s time to go. I figured we could go to one of the rooms on the top level, and have some private talk. I believe you are all aware as to what the talk is going to be about, but we have to go somewhere private, and that’s the best place.”
The rest of the men nod their heads to agree with him. All of them get on the elevator and proceed towards the tenth floor. Getting out of the elevator, everyone heads into a reasonably large board room with the lights turned off. The board room has giant windows; they overlook the entire downtown area of Los Angeles. The night sky glows through the room, that displays a beautiful view. Russell turns on a lamp on the corner of the room, which gives off some minor illumination in the room. However, most of the light is coming from the night sky outside. The men then sit on different ends of the table, scattered around on different sides and areas. Russell and Brian sitting on opposing ends of the table. Jesse and Kevin sit next to each other on one side, and Victor sits by himself on the other side.
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Page 28