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In the replica room of the lobby, Sam sat besides his sibling, Kendall.
They have been waiting for anyone to enter. Until now, only Drain and Insect have passed by and Drain was the only one who actually brought something from them.
It was a book, 'One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter' by Scaachi Koul if he remembers correctly. It was a book Kendall had found and recently had finished reading and wanted to give it to Drain so it could be put in the library.
It could also be for Drain to read to his friend as Insect did not know how to read, let alone write anything. As Sam and Kendall continued their patient wait, they couldn't help but wonder why there was a replica room.
It was a meticulously recreated copy of the lobby of the sentient hotel, complete with plush sofas, a sparkling chandelier, and a perfectly polished marble floor. However, the purpose of this room remained a mystery to both of them.
Sam and Kendall had always been curious about the sentient building they called home. It was a place that had an history of horrible events, such as murder, where souls were trapped inside. As they pondered, the sound of bouncing gradually approached the door, interrupting their thoughts.
Curiosity piqued, the two entities turned their gaze towards the door. The bouncing sound grew louder, filling the otherwise silent room, until finally, the door swung open to reveal Irwin, accompanied by Fright who was floating above the kid.
Irwin's joyful laughter filled the replica lobby as Fright followed them behind. The receptionists couldn't help but form a smile on their non-existing mouthsl.
"Hey there, Irwin! Fright! What brings you two to the replica room?" Sam asked. Irwin bounced closer to the siblings, while Fright floated gracefully beside them.
"We're bored, so we thought we'd come and keep you company!" Irwin said, their white eyes gleaming with excitement.
Sam and Kendall exchanged glances, their curiosity now piqued. It was unusual for Irwin and Fright to visit the replica room, as they usually spent their time playing in their rooms located in Door 68A. The receptionists wondered what had brought them here today.
"Well, we're glad to have some company." Kendall said, xyr tiredness evident in xyr voice, gesturing them to take a seat on the plush sofas. "Have you both been up to anything interesting lately?"
Irwin bounced onto one of the sofas, their laughter subsiding for a moment. Fright settled down next to them.
"Not really." Fright responded, his trembling and quiet voice reflecting his timid nature. "We've just been playing our usual games in our rooms."
"We want something new!" Irwin yelled cheerfully, throwing their long arms and stubby hands in the air.
The siblings chuckled at Irwin's enthusiasm. It was always a delight to see their friends so full of life, despite their circumstances.
"Well, what if we try something different today?" Sam suggested, leaning forward with a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "How about we play some playful pranks on the others?"
Kendall raised an eyebrow, a mischievous look forming on xyr face. "Ooh, I like the sound of that." Xe said, leaning in closer to Sam. "But who do we start with?"
They all pondered for a moment, their eyes scanning the replica room as they tried to come up with a plan. Finally, an idea sparked in Sam's mind. "What about Drain and Insect?" He suggested with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Sam's idea was met with approving nods from both Kendall, Irwin, and Fright. They all knew Drain and Insect could use some lighthearted fun to brighten their monotonous existence. The four friends huddled together, their excitement growing as they discussed the details.
"Though it can't involve messing with the library or Drain will go apeshit." Kendall warned, earning a chuckle from the others. They brainstormed and devised a plan that did not involve any destruction. Instead, they decided to create a harmless prank that would bring laughter and joy to Drain and Insect.
As Drain and Insect were making their usual rounds around the hotel, they noticed something. Sticky notes were plastered all over the walls, each one containing a joke or a funny pun. Insect, unable to read, simply admired the colorful array of sticky notes, while Drain burst into laughter at each one he read.
Drain's laughter echoed through the hallways, his deep voice resonating with pure joy. Insect couldn't help but feel infected by Drain's laughter, even though it didn't understand the jokes themselves. Some of other entities that weren't targets could even find the sticky notes and have a good laugh when reading them.
The prank brought a much-needed sense of levity to the otherwise somber atmosphere of the hotel. It seemed like the entire place was buzzing with laughter and smiles, as the sticky note jokes brought a momentary reprieve from the hotel's dark history. Drain and Insect continued their rounds, spreading the infectious laughter to every corner of the building.
As they passed by the replica room, Sam, Kendall, Irwin, and Fright peered out from behind the door, watching their plan unfold. The joy that radiated from Drain, Insect and other entities made them feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that they had brought a moment of happiness to their friends' lives.