Overtime

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[Vanessa is a young (*27 is young*) professional, working overtime at her office job. There are two main endings, but multiple paths to get to either of them. (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Start? ->Intro]] [[Title ->Home]]]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[Boss ]] *Today* (bg:#5d6292)[Hi Nessa!!! I hope you don't mind the nickname hehe. ] (bg:#5d6292)[I hope you're enjoying your time with us. I know it's only been a little over a month, but you're doing amazing work! ] (bg:#5d6292)[All the managers are pleased with your abilities and timeliness. ] (bg:#5d6292)[Sorry that today's one of those days! ] (bg:#5d6292)[That's what I mostly wanted to talk about. Since you have the availability, that's why you were assigned the additional work. ] (bg:#5d6292)[But! Let's look on the bright side of things: long breaks and plenty of quiet (or even noise, if that's what helps,) to get it all done! ] (bg:#5d6292)[I might swing by to check up on you. I don't usually do that (don't tell the others!). Take as long as you need, but please get it done. ] (bg:#5d6292)[Have a nice night :)] (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[[[...................... ->Phone2]]]]

Ah the breakroom, It's dark and empty. Vanessa flicks a switch

[Vanessa stares blankly at her monitor. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Do work ->Work]] [[You're already on your phone so... ->Phone]] [[Go home. ->Leave]]]]]

Water Instant coffee packet I'll be damned, it's coffee. [[Get a snack ->Snack]] [[Steal whatever's left in the fridge ->Fridge]] [[We're done here ->Choices1]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[End 1: Just Leave.] <img src="https://easelings.neocities.org/drafts/job/end1.png" width="1200" height="800"> Don't worry about it (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Play again? ->Home]] ]]

Let's see which poor sucker forgot their lunch All that's left is a container, whose contents are so moldy and cloudy that it's impossible to tell what it once used to be. Gross. [[Get a snack ->Snack]] [[Make a coffee ->Coffee]] [[We're done here ->Choices1]]

<img src="https://easelings.neocities.org/drafts/job/title.png" width="1200" height="800"> (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Start ->Intro]] [[About ->About]] [[Credits ->credits]]]]

A distant ringing blares out over the loud whir of the AC. It grows closer (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[and closer... ->Intro2]]]]

Vanessa's head shoots up. The shrill ringtone still baring from her *personal cell phone*, next to the office phone her stuffy cublicle is equipped with. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[*click* ->Intro3]]]]

[A loud, familiar voice errupts from her phone.] (align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[Heeeeyyyyy Vanessa! I'm sure you know what to do already --that's what I've always liked about you-- so I'm just calling to check in! Since you're ***oh so hard at work***, I'll keep it brief. Remember that the keys are next to the door, remember to lock up once you're done, and remember exactly how much trust I've put into you. Convincing everyone else to put you into your position wasn't exactly easy, y'know! I may be the boss but we are a ***team*** here. See ya tomorrow Nessa!! Byeeeee...] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*click* (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[ [[There's no chance for Vanessa to respond. ->Choices]]]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[*Yeah no fuck that.* *No matter how badly I need this job, it's never bad enough to be here at 10. *] Vanessa saves her progress, then shuts down the whirring desktop. The monitor shuts off, reflecting back Vanessa's tired face amongst the darkened office space. She feels a pang of guilt. (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[*I shouldn't be fumbling this job like this... *] Then she just feels hungry. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Vanessa makes her way past the slew of uninhabited cubicles. ->Leave1]]]]

Earlier a few of them had actual people in them, doing their own work, but she largely doesn't see more than 13 people at a time. Though it's not like she'd really know, she tries to just clock in, keep her head down, and do her work. Manuevering through the span of cubicles is a bit difficult, The room is large, filled corner to corner with the same generic grey cubicles. She finally approaches the double wooden doors which are the key to her freedom. She notices the keys on the little hook next to the doors Vanessa locks the door and heads down to the lobby of the bulding, getting on the elevator down. She fiddles with the little lime green tab on the keys-- "MASTER"-- as well as with the little keychain someone added for decoration seemingly ages ago. It was a tiny toy figureine, probably pulled from a coin slot machine, based on some old cartoon Vanessa vaguely remembers from when she was a kid. (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[*Maybe I should look it up later... *] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[*ding!* ->Leave2]]]]

The lobby is just as dark as the rest of the building, save for the emergency lights and the glow from the city just beyond its' glass doors. (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[*I hope no one is still in the building. Too bad for them then.*] Vanessa steps out, locking the doors behind her, and putting the key into her bag. (align:"==>")[I'm entrusting you with this key, since you'll be here for quite a bit huh!] her boss' voice echos in her memory. The cool city air hits her face, it's refreshing compared to the stale air in the office. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[She walks towards her apartment. ->Leave3]]]]

The streets are largely empty, only the ocassional car passing by compared to the usual bustle. The streetlights illuminate her path, most storefronts are darkened. If Vanessa got off of work earlier, she probably could've caught the bus. Calling anyone to drive her home is another choice, but her apartment is close enough to just walk to comfortably. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[She approaches a familiar building. ->Leave4]]]]

The old buiilding stands tall. She enters. The lock clicks, the light flips, and Vanessa is greeted by her scarcely decorated living room. Goddamn it's late. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[She gets under the covers. ->Leave5]]]]

A voice in the back of her head speaks (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[*Maybe I should've stayed.* *Shit, what if she fires me?? What then????* *Why did she call me on my cellphone?????? ?????? ???*] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Vanessa turns and goes to sleep. It's just going to have to be a problem for her in the morning. ->End1]]]]

Vanessa looks at her monitor. The mostly blank white page burned into her eyes. She looks back at her phone. (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[[[*click* ->Phone1]]]]

Her phone is mostly empty, aisde from a few texts. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[(8) Boss ->Boss]] [[(2) Val (precious baby sister ✨) ->Valentina]] [[(3) Serena (train) ->Serena]]]]

Wow that was fun, looking at texts and responding to literally none of them. Thank god she has read receipts turned off. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[ok time to do work ->Work]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[ok time to go home ->Leave]]]]]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[Serena (train)] *Today* (bg:#5d6292)[Hi Vanessa, this is Serena from the overnight train :) I hope you're well] (bg:#5d6292)[Let me know how you're adjusting to the city! I'd love to know more about your job. Send Valentina my regards as well.] (bg:#5d6292)[Lets get coffee this weekend ☕] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*She's so nice*] Vanessa really should text back. Besides her boss, she doesn't know anyone else in town besides Serena... .... ... (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[[[She quickly backs out to the other texts she got. ->Phone1]]]]

There's a vending machine *2 dollars for a granola bar is insane* It tastes good though [[Make a coffee ->Coffee]] [[Steal whatever's left in the fridge ->Fridge]] [[We're done here ->Choices1]]

Let's check out... (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[[[Boss' office ->Boss1]] [[IT->IT]] ]]

A boring, greying white room is illuminated by the florecent lights. [[Get a snack ->Snack]] [[Make coffee ->Coffee]] [[Steal whatever's left in the fridge ->Fridge]]

Vanessa heads towards her boss' office. For some reason (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*She's not here what am I doing.*] ... Vanessa approaches two heavy looking doors. The name plate next to them is too scratched up to make out what it used to say. ... (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[She opens the door. It wasn't locked. ->Boss2]] ]]

It's dark and... not empty. Behind a large wooden desk is Vanessa's boss, focused intently on something on her monitor screen. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*Oh. Sorry I didn't know you were still here*] Her boss' head perks up, a large smile on her face. (align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[Of course! I can't have our newest employee wandering around alone now, can I? Hehe] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*Right. Is the internet down for you too?*] (align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[Hmmm?] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*Your computer's on, what're you doing in here if not work? I mean not that I'm judging either way but like-*] (align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[OHHH haha!! You're right it IS down!! Here, I'll go down and check it out, just wait here!! ] She rushes out past Vanessa. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Wait for her to come back ->Wait2]] [[Snoop around->Snoop]] ]]

Vanessa looks around her office, "Grrl power" "Bless this mess" "It's okay to take breaks" Several pastel flower decor There's a small plush keychain, a larger version of the little keychain on the keys she was given. A corkboard with several pictures from what appears to be work events. No family pictures. ... (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Wait->Wait2]] [[Look at computer screen->Snoop1]] ]]

Vanessa glances over at her boss' monitor ... It's a camera feed. Her empty cubicle is front and center. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*Hm.*] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[The rapid clicking of heels approaches ->Snoop2]] ]]

Vanessa returned to her desk and resumed her work. Luckily none of her progress was lost. She finished and went home at around 4 AM. She fell asleep and dreamt about nothing. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[Play again? ->Home]]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[Val (precious baby sister ✨)] *Tues.* (bg:#5d6292)[hey can u pick me up im here at the station] (bg:#525ac7)[(align:"==>")[On my way!]] *Fri.* (bg:#5d6292)[call mom back call mom back!!! omfg] *Today* (bg:#5d6292)[btw when can i come over. u started ur job right??] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*Oh Val*] *Someone* clearly changed her contact name in Vanessa's phone. No matter, She'd totally forgotten about her promise to Val, between the weird mishap with the train and now working at a... *very credible* establishment. She really should text her back (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[[[She quickly backs out to the other texts she got. ->Phone1]]]]

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...It's not coming back on. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Keep waiting ->Wait]] [[Check it out ->Work2]] ]]

... ... ... ... ... ... The sound of heels clicking draws near, (align:"==>")+(box:"=X")[It should be fixed by now! Let's test it.] (align:"<==")+(box:"=XX=")[(text-colour:grey)[click click click]] (align:"<==")+(box:"=X")[Yayy it's back. Thanks for waiting, and let me know if you have any more issues.] *Right, thanks.* As Vanessa exits, she feels her boss' gaze. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Back to work then. ->End2]] ]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*My job, which I'm paid to do.* (text-colour:grey)[click click tap tap] *It's nice and quiet, they pay me extra for this,* (text-colour:grey)[tap tap tap] *I could even turn on music, if I wanted to-* click. (text-colour:grey)[click. click. clickclickclick] *The internet's down.*] (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[[[*UUUUGGHHHHHHHHH* ->Work1]]]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*It's not even midnight yet* (text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Go home ->Leave]] [[Wait for it to come back? ->Wait]] [[Check it out ->Work2]] ]]

credits art / editing / writing by meeeeee Photos from Unsplash <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/glass-paneled-long-wooden-floored-hallway-c3tNiAb098I">"glass paneled long wooden floored hallway"</a> <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-hallway-with-glass-doors-jLisH_4jM-8">"a hallway with glass doors"</a> <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/street-scene-at-night-with-illuminated-kiosk-and-cars-am7uxoC4Hcs">"Street scene at night with illuminated kiosk and cars."</a> <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/pendant-lamps-4EcupR74nVo">"pendant lamps"</a> <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/black-ip-desk-phone-on-black-wooden-table-Dkn8-zPIbwo">"black ip desk phone on black wooden table"</a> <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/black-smartphone-on-white-table-52H5Nfi5WiE">"black smartphone on white table"</a>

Vanessa sighs and gets up, lingering on the "no internet" icon in the corner of the taskbar. Manuevering through the span of cubicles is a bit difficult, The room is large, filled corner to corner with the same generic grey cubicles. She finally approaches the double wooden doors, there's a set of keys on a little hook next to them. She takes the keys and walks out the room, fiddling with the little lime green tab on the keys-- "MASTER"-- as well as with the little keychain someone added for decoration seemingly ages ago. It was a tiny toy figureine, probably pulled from a coin slot machine, based on some old cartoon Vanessa vaguely remembers from when she was a kid. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Alright, let's go ->Choices1]] ]]

Vanessa heads towards the IT office. A simple wooden door. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[The door is unlocked. ->IT1]] ]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[It's dark and...? ->IT2]] ]]

The door behind her closes. (align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[So what brings you out here?] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*I... The internet is down.*] (align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[OHHh haha!!! Here, let's get it fixed!!] An arm wraps around her shoulders, pulling her away from the IT room. Her boss is chattering away. Vanessa isn't paying attention. She looks back. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[... ->IT6]] ]]

They're just outside of the cubicles. Wait here, it'll just take a second. She runs off past Vanessa. ... Oh. She's back. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Let's see if it works. ->IT7]] ]]

(align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[Vanessa! Wait outside, won't you?] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Fight. flight. flight ->IT4]] ]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[????????????????????????????? ->IT3]] ]]

Vanessa steps out. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[It's quiet ->IT5]] ]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[It did. ->End2]] ]]

(align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[Heyyy sorry for the wait! Let me see if it works] (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:grey)[click. click click click]] (align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[Okay, it should be up by now!] She turns her monitor towards Vanessa. It's just some spreadsheet now. The internet is indeed back up now. (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[*Ah. Thanks*] (align:"==>")+(box:"==XXX")[Of course! Let me know if you have any more problems, and I'll do my best to help you!] She smiles warmly at Vanessa (align:"=><=")+(box:"=XXX=")[(text-colour:#b0a3c7)[[[Vanessa exits, closing the door behind her, going towards the cubicles. ->End2]] ]]