"Hello, hello?"

"Hello," Dee yawned.

"Uh, I wanted to record a message for you to help you get settled in on your first night. Um, I actually worked in that office before you. I'm finishing up my last week now, as a matter of fact."

"Cool."

"So, I know it can be a bit overwhelming, but I'm here to tell you there's nothing to worry about. Uh, you'll do fine."

"Yeah, I've done this type of job before."

"So, let's just focus on getting you through your first week. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Uh, let's see, first there's an introductory greeting from the company that I'm supposed to read. Uh, it's kind of a legal thing, you know."

"Yep."

"Um, 'Welcome to Dragon Prince's Pizza. A magical place for kids and grown-ups alike, where fantasy and fun come to life. Prince Entertainment is not responsible for damage to property or person. Upon discovering that damage or death has occurred, a missing person report will be filed within 90 days, or as soon property and premises have been thoroughly cleaned and bleached, and the carpets have been replaced.'"

"Fair enough."

"Blah blah blah, now that might sound bad, I know, but there's really nothing to worry about."

"Oh, yeah. Definitely nothing to worry about with the evil robots."

"Uh, the animatronic characters here do get a bit quirky at night, but do I blame them? No. If I were forced to sing those same stupid songs for twenty years and I never got a bath? I'd probably be a bit irritable at night too. So, remember, these characters hold a special place in the hearts of children and we need to show them a little respect, right? Okay."

"Got it."

"So, just be aware, the characters do tend to wander a bit. Uh, they're left in some kind of free roaming mode at night. Uh...Something about their servos locking up if they get turned off for too long. Uh, they used to be allowed to walk around during the day too. But then there was The Bite of '87. Yeah. I-It's amazing that the human body can live without the frontal lobe, you know?"

"Yeah...I know."

"Uh, now concerning your safety, the only real risk to you as a night watchman here, if any, is the fact that these characters, uh, if they happen to see you after hours probably won't recognize you as a person. They'll p-most likely see you as a metal endoskeleton without its costume on."

"Great excuse."

"Now since that's against the rules here at Dragon Prince's Pizza, they'll probably try to...forcefully stuff you inside a Dragon Prince suit. Um, now, that wouldn't be so bad if the suits themselves weren't filled with crossbeams, wires, and animatronic devices, especially around the facial area."

"Of course."

"So, you could imagine how having your head forcefully pressed inside one of those could cause a bit of discomfort...and death."

"Because why wouldn't it?"

"Uh, the only parts of you that would likely see the light of day again would be your eyeballs and teeth when they pop out the front of the mask, heh."

"That's nice."

"Y-Yeah, they don't tell you these things when you sign up. But hey, first day should be a breeze. I'll chat with you tomorrow. Uh, check those cameras, and remember to close the doors only if absolutely necessary. Gotta conserve power. Alright, good night."

The night was a breeze. About five years ago, Dee had worked at a previous location. It was much harder then, so Dee got in the hang of this pretty quickly. Only four robots opposed to ten. The only thing that really happened was Rem coming up to the window once and Pathos moving around. 6 am came before he knew it.
———
When Dee got home, he grabbed a newspaper with a certain article circled on it. It was about the old location, the '85 one. Dee had read all articles he could get on the Missing Children's Incident. It was the most he could do to try to make it up to them, although they didn't seem to really mind when they tried to attack him.

Dee read the article aloud to himself.

"Kids vanish are local pizzeria-bodies not found.

Two local children were reportedly lured into a back room during the late hours of operation at Dragon Prince's Pizza on the night of June 26th. While video surveillance identified the man responsible and led to his capture the following morning, the children themselves were never found and are presumed dead.

Police think that the suspect dressed as a company mascot to earn the children's trust."

Dee sighed. The presumed suspect they arrested was, in fact, not the real murderer. The real murderer was never caught, but he did suffer a horrible fate.

Dee laid down in bed, hoping to be able to sleep.
———

"Uhh, Hello? Hello? Uh, well, if you're hearing this and you made it to day two, uh, congrats! I-I won't talk quite as long this time since Prince and his friends tend to become more active as the week progresses."

"Why is that though?"

"Uhh, it might be a good idea to peek at those cameras while I talk just to make sure everyone's in their proper place."

Dee flipped up the monitor to the show stage like the guy on the phone told him to.

"You know...Uh... Interestingly enough, Prince himself doesn't come off stage very often."

"I mean, that's pretty good for me."

"I heard he becomes a lot more active in the dark though, so, hey, I guess that's one more reason not to run out of power, right? I-I also want to emphasize the importance of using your door lights. There are blind spots in your camera views, and those blind spots happen to be right outside of your doors."

"Sure."

"So if-if you can't find something, or someone, on your cameras, be sure to check the door lights. Uh, you might only have a few seconds to react... Uh, not that you would be in any danger, of course."

"Of course not."

"I'm not implying that. Also, check on the curtain in Pirate Cove from time to time. The character in there seems unique in that he becomes more active if the cameras remain off for long periods of time. I guess he doesn't like being watched. I don't know."

"I wouldn't either."

"Anyway, I'm sure you have everything under control!"

Dee laughed dryly.

"Uh, talk to you soon."

Dee gave a little two finger salute towards the phone. Rem appeared in the left door three times, to which Dee promptly shut that door right in his face. Pathos arrived in the right door once, causing Dee to also slam the door on his face. Anx the pirate cat peeled out of his cove a few times, but didn't approach the door.

The bells for 6 am were a welcome sound. Dee left the building, making sure his hat covered his face and his long sleeves hid his purple skin.