Day 333: Scaffolding

August 17, 2021 by TeeCoZee

Up there, it’s just air. Clean air, dirty air, air is air and it’s all up there. There’s some birds circling around, trying to figure out what to do with their day, figuring it out and then forgetting again because they’re birds. The sun hangs somewhere, hidden behind miserable clouds. They might actually be in a good mood, but they appear to be miserable. Further up, we have the rest of infinity, the cosmos and everything else you saw on that laserdisc in science class that you didn’t pay attention to because you kept looking at Debbie. It’s all there, trust me.

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She should be getting a refund. In the ad, there’s nothing in the window. Now, there is clearly something in the window. It may just be a mesh netting, but you know what, it fucks up the whole vibe of the loft! What is she supposed to do? Pretend that there’s no mesh there and just look out the window like it’s a normal window? She not that good of an actor. This much she knows. But even worse, what if a worker on the scaffolding comes up to the window? What will he see? He sure as hell won’t see her staring out the window, that’s for damn sure. Because she can’t see out the window and through the mesh. This is her worst vacation ever. Eh, make that the second worst. Or maybe third. It’s a bad vacation!

He wonders if anyone will notice him up there. He’s pretty high up. Much higher than he feels comfortable being. He can hear their voices below, but he can’t tell what they’re saying. He doesn’t know Spanish. That’s how he got into this mess in the first place. He has no idea what he’s supposed to be doing. He pretended to know Spanish to get the job and now he doesn’t even know what the job is. If he can just kill a few more hours, he can come down and be home free. But how does he even get down? How did he even get up? He was trying so hard to figure out what they were doing that he missed all of the logistical details of how to descend. Is there a rope that comes down and he rappels helicopter-style? Is there a ladder? Does he jump? Can he jump? Ugh. Here’s hoping nobody notices him up here. Maybe he should run his drill. Make it look like he’s doing something. You know, doing the business. Business stuff.

He saw the guy go up there a while ago, but he hasn’t come back down. They were working on that floor all of last week, how are they now done yet? Just when he thought he was free to watch his Lunch Break Porno, he has to wait until the coast is clear. He could just move the monitor, but the worker might suspect something. Also, that would make him vulnerable to his boss coming in and immediately seeing the screen. Of course. His Lunch Break Porno has to be facing the window. It’s the only way. But he’s not sure if it can happen. What does he do now? Does he pretend to keep eating? Does he go back to work? Or does he risk it for the biscuit? He needs to just broaden his shoulders to cover the screen. And type softly. That’s also key. He can do this. And he will.

They don’t know what the new guy is doing up there. They finished that floor last week. They knew they didn’t need the extra help but the foreman gave it to them anyway. So instead of babying him, they’re just going to keep working as normal. It’s none of their business and they don’t care enough to do anything about it. The moron doesn’t even need a drill.

This is why you don’t catch up with old friends. They always end up disappointing you. Why would she even choose this cafe anyway? It’s under a scaffolding and surrounded by loud construction. She can see dust and debris getting in her water. But she doesn’t seem to mind. She must really like this place. She always hated her taste. She also currently hates the sound she makes when she sips hot chocolate. Who in the hell drinks hot chocolate in the middle of Sunmer?!? This girl, that’s who. It’s like she never even knew her. What are they even supposed to talk about? She wants to scream, leave and buy a White Claw across the street. And then throw the can at her head. That would be grand. But instead, she’s just going to smile and make small talk. Because deep down, she’s a shmuck just like her.

Down here, there are rats. They burrow into holes and come out at night to feast on the trash from nearby restaurants. There’s also a gas line and a power grid, that’s been seemingly under repair for over 3 years. The guys just keep digging and paving over. Every single day, over and over and over. Somewhere, not to far over, is the rumble of the train. This is Canal Street. Transfers available to the C and E trains. This is a Far Rockaway-Bound A Train. The next stop is Chambers Street. Stand clear of the closing doors.

– TeeCoZee