Chapter Text
Waking up was always disorienting.
He didn’t have nightmares, they were far from that. He had dreams. Dreams of what could’ve been. It always seemed like reality. That’s why.
There was no time to think about that. There wasn’t any time ever, actually.
He got up with a groan. Back pain. Ugh.
The perks of being old.
His room was small, compact. Expected. The whole house was. At least it was in his budget. That’s also why he moved to this place. Hurricane, Utah wasn’t exactly expensive.
He stood up, walked out of the room, and reached his kitchen. The light shone through the windows, dust motes pillering in the air. It was afternoon. He had slept too late again. He was going to get yelled at. Amazing. He needs to get up earlier.
He started hurrying. He rushed back to his room, grabbing the nearest pair of slacks he had. Most likely dirty, but still.
He rushed to open his drawer, shuffling through the cotton and eventually succeeding when he grabbed a collared t-shirt.
No time for a ‘fulfilling’ breakfast, I guess.
He grabbed a cheesestick, holding it in his mouth while he forced a tie around his neck. Taking his keys, he ran out the door and drove off, hoping he wouldn’t get fired.
He speeded through the lanes, not paying attention to the honking cars all around him.
Once he reached his job, he rushed in, only to find the boss standing at the door, seemingly waiting for him.
“Hello, Daniel. Surprised you showed up.” She crossed her arms, her face straight. That was bad.
“Yes, Ma’am. I’m so sorry, I promise, it won’t happen again. I slept late. My alarm was broken. Please forgive me-” He felt he was begging. He hated that, but he needed this job. If he didn’t have it he would probably lose his house.
“-Save it, Danny. This has happened for what? The fifth time? I can’t just let you do this every freaking shift. You’re fired. Please gather your stuff and I’ll escort you out.” She opened the door for him, though he didn’t want to move.
“Please, I need this job… I completely promise, it won’t happen again.” He grimaced, trying to hold himself together.
Please work. I need this.
“Maybe think about getting here on time for once. Just take your stuff and leave.”
He stood for a moment, trying to process what she just said. His brain was scrambled. Everything felt like it was tearing itself apart by the seams.
Get it together! She’s waiting for you!
“-ok. Ok. I’ll… go get my stuff, Ma’am. Sorry for the… inconvenience.”
“Thank you for not making this more of a problem. You’ll get your last paycheck at the front desk. Get your stuff and leave.” She held her hand out, gesturing to the door that was propped open by her foot.
“Ok.” He walked through the door, it swinging shut behind him.
—
Once he had gathered all his things, he was escorted out by his former boss.
“Good luck with any future jobs, Danny. I’m sorry it had to end this way.”
“Thanks…” He turned his head to look at the building. It wasn’t the best place to be everyday, but he was familiar with it.
He drove home in silence.
In his head, his thoughts were tumultuous. Every memory was screaming at him. He thought about what he could’ve done. He could've bought a new alarm clock like he said he would. He could have been smarter. But he wasn’t.
He pulled his car into the driveway. He sat there, immobile. You’re done for. No jobs will want you now.
Sighing heavily in defeat, he trudged to his front door.
It clicked softly behind him when he closed it. His back hit the mahogany and he slid down. He rested his head on his knees, brown hair laying messily on his face.
What should I do? I can’t give up… I just can’t…
—
He sat there for a while. He didn’t really have any will to move.
Come on. You’re fine. Just Get Up.
He didn’t want to tell his friends about losing his job. They always offered their sympathy and help. He didn’t like receiving it. Too prideful, they said. Prideful Daniel.
He loved them, but he didn’t need their help. He would be fine. He just needed to find a new job. Quickly.
—
It had been a few days since he had gotten fired. He was determined to find a job that would actually take him, so he scoured the world wide web.
As he read through the job qualifications, he got more and more discouraged. He was a college dropout, who has been fired several times, and didn’t do that well in school. So let’s just say, it wasn’t looking too good for him.
Since the internet didn’t seem to be working, he opened his copy of the daily newspaper.
There didn’t seem to be many job offerings. Great. Amazing. Wonderful-
His eyes then locked onto a single section in the paper.
Help Wanted: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.
Looking for Nightguard, 12am-6am.
120 a week.
Call the number by the picture to apply.
Huh. It didn't seem too bad. Well, everything except the pay, at least. But he needed some cash and quick.
He grabbed his phone, and typed the number in quickly.
Pressing it to his ear, he waited as the phone rang.
Someone answered on the forth ring!
“Hello?” The voice sounded worn out, and… British?
“Hi! I’ve called to apply for the position as a nightguard at,” he looked at the paper again, “Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.”
“Oh. Ok then! Amazing,” The man on the other line paused for a moment, “would you like to come in for an interview?”
Ok! I might have a chance!! Don’t get your hopes too high, but still!
He smiled, “Yes! That would be amazing! When would you like me to come in?”
There was a crinkling of paper on the other line for a moment, “Thursday would be amazing, if you could do that. You can just meet me at the location.”
“Thanks! My name is Daniel, just so you know.”
“Thanks, Daniel. I’m looking forward to the interview. I’m… Bill.” ‘Bill’ paused for a moment before answering, which was weird, but Danny paid no mind.
I can’t mess this up.
“Ok. See you then.” He hung up, then laid against his wall for a moment longer.
He wondered what this ‘Freddy Fazbears’ was. He thinks he has heard the name before, but he can’t place his finger on when…
That’ll be something to figure out if I actually get the job.
—