[ TT ] [ RF ] You 've got 20 minutes left on your shift , and the manager asks you to clean the bathroom .

A thin sheet of corrugated steel hung above my head, it sat suspended by a spiderweb of metal framing where it was meant to protect against the elements. The half-roof did little to stop the advance of the overzealous sun as it crept from behind, clawing and scratching its way to my post. Grasping my ankles, it slid up my back and wrapped its arms around my neck burning its presence just above the collar. I stared into the distance as my mind floated between the blue spaces in the blanket of clouds only to find myself startled by the rapid approach of someone to my right. Turning my attention towards the sound of footsteps navigating the maze of objects strewn between us, I manage an awkward wave and broad smile before she arrives. 
 
 “ Hello, how are you? ” I ask cheerfully, hoping that one kindness will beget another. 
 
 “ I'm fine and you? ” she responds with a slight laugh, preoccupied with some other matter weighing heavily upon her brow. 
 
 “ Anything I can help with? You look- ” I say, failing to find the way to express myself. “ What do you need me to do? ” 
 
 “ Well, I- ” she began before shaking her head dismissively. “ No, it'll be fine until tomorrow. It'll have to be fine. ” 
 
 “ I've only got twenty minutes left, are you sure it is n't something you could spare me to do? If I can do it, I will. You know I will, I like to work ” I reply, hoping to ease her mind in some way. 
 
 “ We really need someone to clean the bathroom. I could n't talk anyone else into it and I hate to see it in that state until tomorrow. There's already been a couple complaints and I wish we could just get it taken care of, ” she answers. “ I do n't know if you really want to do it, but that's what I've got on my mind. That and a million other things. ” 
 
 “ Do n't we have a cleaning lady, yeah? ” I ask. 
 
 “ Yeah, but she's gone for the day. It's fine, we'll let it go until tomorrow ” she says, waving the matter away as though it were sat before her. 
 
 “ No, no. It's fine. I was just wondering. Sure. If that's what you need me to do, I'm happy to help. I'll be headed home soon anyway ” I insist, walking alongside her as we enter the building. 
 
 “ Thanks. I really appreciate it. That's one less thing I have to worry about ” she relents. 
 
 “ No problem. What's wrong in there anyway? ” I ask, hoping that it is something minor. 
 
 “ You do n't want to know ” she answers with a grim look upon her face. 
 
 “ Great ” I mumble to myself with a sigh, relieved that the ordeal will be over soon. 
 
 -204
