#logsgatorgolf

Your view from your apartment is a foggy barren parking lot. Being so far from downtown most of the buildings around you are flat outlet malls, gas stations, or vacant shells of old stores. It's still early morning, the only life to be seen are the few cars speeding down the freeway to get to their jobs in the city. You take a final drag of your cigarette, and toss it out the window. -bzzt- Your phone vibrates in your back pocket, It was Ike. Not a big surprise he’s texting you this early, he has been taking more shifts at the mall lately and he’s a bit of a slacker.

I: Good morning binkus T: gm gm I: You and Isa are still job hunting right? T: … Yes I: WHY DID YOU SAY IT LIKE THAT! This is a good one ok I swear T: hmmm ok what's the job I: My boss told me we are understaffed in security and asked me to refer some people if I know anybody. I: Which means WE COULD ALL WORK TOGETHER!! T: YO! That would be fun Don't you hate it there though I: Don't worry about it. You guys gotta hurry though cause she wants people who are gonna be ready right away Can you both be here by like noon? T: Yea I'll get ready and go get her.

You put your phone away and go to grab your coat and wallet. You wouldn't normally just take a job recklessly like this, but the money you are making on commissions isn't cutting it. Plus having a bit of extra spending money couldn't hurt. - The bus ride to the city is long, but you don't mind a little extra time to think and look out the window. Now that you are getting close to Isa, it's probably a good idea to warn her since she is probably still asleep. The phone rings a few times before you hear her answer, voice still light from rest. “H-Hello?” “Hey. Ike just messaged me and said that there were 2 really good positions opened up at that huge animatronic mall.” “ Oh nice,” She sounds a bit jarred “Sorry I just woke up so maybe we can talk-” The bus chime rings for your stop “I know I woke you up, but Ike said we had to come in now, I'm already basically at your house so I'll see you soon and we can take the bus” you state before hanging up. As you step onto the sidewalk you pause for a second and look at your phone. Probably a bit too abrupt on your part, you aren't always the best when it comes to communication, but Isa has known you now for almost 2 years so she has likely caught on to that by now. After a short walk through the small residential suburb you get to her front door. She lives in a charming little house with a yard with her family. Even before you ring the doorbell you can hear Isa’s mom and younger brother in a shouting match inside. You hesitate for a second, probably not the best time to be showing up uninvited, until you hear a soft “Hey!” Isa leans out the basement window grinning at you. Her long blonde hair messy from bed. She’s still glowing somehow though. You wish you could look like that when you wake up. “Just come in through here” She chimes and tucks back into her bedroom. Following her, legs first; you shimmy through and land on her beanbag. Besides the yelling upstairs her room feels like a haven to you. Warm and homey, video games, action figures and other random things to catch your eye are scattered around, bright neon signs bathe the room in ambient blue and pink hues, and posters cover almost every square inch of wall. You sit on her bed as she gets ready, and fall back looking at the ceiling. Her single sonic poster stares back down at you from above and you chuckle to yourself. - After a short bus ride the two of you step out onto the parking lot. A massive mall standing fantastically and ominously on the opposite side. The huge neon sign reading “FREDDY FAZBEAR’S MEGA PIZZAPLEX” is bright even in the midday sun. People steadily feed in and out of the row of massive glass front doors, Teenagers playing music out of their cars linger in the parking lot, Parents walking past you holding hands of hyper laughing children. You haven't seen anything this lively in this town since you moved here. You both have passed the mall on the road before, and heard about it since it opened, but this is the first time you have really gotten a look at it head on like this. “What the fuck this is awesome” Isa gasps “I have never seen a mall this big before… why here?” You say, still unable to look away from the reflective beacon on the horizon “Ike is a rat for never bringing us here” She pouts, glancing over at you “That's true” You both start across the cement, and through the front entrance. The Plaza’s entrance is lush with palm trees and neon lights wrapping around the walls and corners. But the first thing you notice is the massive golden statue of the franchise mascot Freddy Fazbear in the center, looming over the bustling guests. The crowds put you on edge, all the voices and sounds mixed together sound like a deep rumbling engine powering this bizarre mega-mall. Before you can get too caught up in your thoughts though, you feel a hard slap on the back as somebody comes up behind you and Isa, calling out “Hey guys!” It was Ike.. Ike is a bit taller than you both, with scruffy strawberry blonde hair and freckles. He’s wearing a security uniform with a loose fitting

windbreaker overtop. His tie is loose. “I see you two managed to make it on time. Surprising ” He chuckles to himself as he pushes the two of you forward to continue walking. You continue taking in the sights as the three of you make your way up the escalator “You know Tyo had to wake me up for this!” Isa chirps at Ike “Well maybe if you didn't sleep so much-” Before he can finish they are already squabbling. It’s normal for them to bicker like an old married couple, and they are always both laughing by the end of it anyways. “I’ll bring you in to meet boss lady and you can start your shift” He continued. The two of you froze in your tracks at that last statement. Processing it for a minute. “...Now?” You stared at him in disbelief He laughed “Yes, now dingus” and led you both into a dimly lit, cluttered office. Behind the desk was a middle aged woman, hunched over an outdated computer clacking away at a loud keyboard. She glanced up for a moment when the three of you walked in but didn’t turn her head away from her screen. “Brought the newbies in. they are all ready to go for the new security shifts.” Ike called out to her “Gotcha” she muttered, glancing at us before grabbing something under her desk and reaching over to hand it to us. Two uniforms. “Go put those on. I don't have the time for a debrief right now so Ike will show you around and tell you what you need to do and I can go over your specific tasks with you and get you on payroll tomorrow morning.” She glances at her watch and suddenly stands up, grabbing a blazer from her chair “I have to go meet with an inspector so just don't mess anything up and you’ll be fine.” She warns, before leaving the office in a flash. You look down at the uniform, and then back at Ike. “So starting today huh?” You say, raising your eyebrows at him. With all the red flags you have noticed so far you can't help but sound a bit disapproving . “Hey, I’m sorry! We are in a tight spot right now and I know I can count on you both. Just go change and I’ll show you guys around.” You nod and leave to change. Sure it was all a bit sketchy but you and Isa both need a job, that’s for sure, and Ike gets paid pretty well as far as you know so it can’t be so bad. The staff bathroom in this office is cramped, and dingy. You carefully change into the uniform and take a look in the mirror. A seemingly basic black and white uniform. The slacks are surprisingly comfortable, looking at your reflection, your eyes then settle on the patch on your chest, It reads “security” with an embroidered alligator head that’s wearing funky star shaped sunglasses. You don’t recognize this character, granted you aren't exactly an expert when it comes to Fazbear Entertainment, they likely have a lot of animatronics here. Leaving the bathroom, Isa is already changed and talking with Ike. “Hey why the hell does Tyo get pants?” She’s wearing a similar uniform to yours but with short sleeves and a black skirt. You notice her patch has a sun and moon face. ‘Odd’ you think to yourself. “Wellll, we don't have many of the women's uniform, Tyo got lucky and got the men's one I guess” Ike shrugs “Your uniform is cute Isa, I prefer pants anyway. Plus don't act like you don't like your skirt” You say to her, as she sticks her tongue out at you playfully. Mike glances down at his wrist, sporting a goofy fazbear memorabilia watch. He turns away and brings it to his mouth, mumbling something you can’t hear. He then turns back to both of you. “Alright boys, let's get going.” He starts leading you both out of the office and back down into the mall “You both have separate areas to cover today. All you have to do is make sure parents and their kids seem happy, Got it?” “And if they aren't?” You ask, glancing around the mall full of people. “Don't worry about it really. Just ask the animatronics, they know what they are doing.” Ike says, before you start to feel the ground under you rumble with heavy metallic steps. “Yes, He is right!” A cheery but electronic voice booms behind you. You turn around in

full alert, as if you aren't on edge enough already. The giant animatronic bear stands in front of the three of you. It shines with a bright coat of paint reflecting the neon lights. His presence alone causes a few people to flock and take pictures. “Hello superstars! I’m Freddy, Nice to meet you.” It says, big cutesy ears wiggling along with a bright metal smile. You let out a sigh, hoping that's the last time you get snuck up on today. Ike steps beside the robot and pats its metal arm, “Hey big guy, these are the new employees taking over.” “How wonderful! I am quite sure you two will love my friends in no time. Do not be afraid to ask them anything. It is in our programming to help out our friends!” the animatronic exclaimed. You silently stared back at it, that thing has to have thousands of prerecorded voice lines because that statement was weirdly specific. You glanced over to Isa, who was staring at it in complete shock, until she says; “I’m Isa, nice to meet you Mr.… uh, Freddy” You held back a chuckle, and decided to humor Ike as well by introducing yourself to the large metal rockstar. “I’m Tyo.” Isa was looking at you with the same bewildered expression, making it harder for you to hold in a laugh. “Yeah this is my big guy Freddy, I’m sure you already knew his name considering it's plastered everywhere, We don't have much time for pleasantries right now though, kind of on a timer here y’know? We’ll walk and talk” He starts leading you both further down the hall, Exchanging a wave with Freddy as it gets surrounded by fans. Ike picks up his pace as he leads you to a pair of doors, above them reading SUPERSTAR DAYCARE. “We can all meet in this hall when our shifts end around 8pm.” The doors swing open automatically. Blaring pop music pounds on your eardrums. Children laughing and screaming on top of it. This room is a mess of color and murals. A statue of two massive golden sun and moon themed characters sit in the middle of this room full of parents. Walking further in, the three of you overlook the rest of the daycare, full of massive jungle gyms and a ball pit bigger than any you have ever seen. “Oh shit you ok Isa?” Ike said in concern. She has her hands on her head, all this sensory stimulation probably isn't great for someone who just woke up a couple of hours ago. “Yeah” she says quietly, nodding her head. “Well I'll save my monologue for later then. I have the perfect solution for you.” He leads her to a tunnel slide that wraps down all the way to the ballpit on the floor below. “Your solution is having me go down a slide?” She scoffs “Yeah, that's definitely it. Smart-ass.” He said sarcastically, he then motioned for her to sit inside. She makes her way in, and before she can sit down Ike gives her a push, sending her zooming, he shouts to someone below “SUNNN~ You have a new friend! She needs some candy!!” She comes toppling out into the plastic orbs below, and cusses back up at Ike, causing you both to break out into laughter. - “All right let's get out of here” Ike chuckles while wiping a tear away “We have some ground to cover before we make it to gator golf” “... Gator golf.” You retort blankly “Yeah that's your zone. You get to make sure kids don't hit each other with golf clubs, and take care of Monty.” “So mini putt and a robot. Seems easy enough.” You respond, looking around at all the people as the two of you make your way through the main floor of the mall. Ike is oddly silent, you look over to him and he is smiling nervously. “What's up, why are you making that face?'' Ike has never been great at hiding his emotions so it's obvious when something is off with him. “Well easy might be a strong word for it” He sighs “Monty has some… Behavioral issues I guess. It shouldn't be too bad though dont worry about it” He quickly dismisses himself. “What the- don't bullshit me Ike what's up, is it dangerous?” You continue, trying to pry it out of him. “Well, not that dangerous. You just have to be careful, that's all. Monty gets destructive and anyone working that zone

has to be able to contain him, so he doesn't break anything or hurt anyone.” He says, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. You process this for a minute before responding. “Why do you keep talking about it like it's a person?” You ask. “Huh?” “You keep saying stuff like ‘He has behavioral issues’ or ‘he’s destructive’. If the robot’s broken, why not just replace it?” He stops walking and looks at you. You rarely see Ike get serious so you stop walking too, a bit anxious now. “Just don't go into this with assumptions, Tyo. It's more complicated than that” He says, with an almost worried look on his face. You are a bit thrown off, not to mention confused, but you nod in understanding. - The main floor of the plaza has several attractions that seem to be the main money makers of the building. The two of you stand in front of one of these displays decorated with cardboard cutout grass and big fake lanterns. “Here it is, Monty’s Gator golf” Ike reads, a notification chimes from his watch. “Ok I've gotta dash, but if you need me just bang my line.” he says as he tosses you a walkie talkie. “Yeah sounds good man. See you at 8” You wave, turning back to the sign. Nothing you can really do but walk in at this point. You hook your walkie onto your belt and make your way in. This attraction was quite different from the daycare you saw Isa disappear into, it was dark, lit in moody green tones. Projected fireflies danced around the swamped themed plants and decorations, nature sounds and low music played over the speakers. Most of the customers here were mostly teens or young adults, either playing mini putt or running around causing trouble. You still hadn't seen the gator yet though, you continued walking through the golf courses, hand on your walkie to ease your nerves. You didn't plan on using it but knowing it was there kept you steady. As you walked you were stopped by a little kid standing in your path, staring unblinking right at you, awkwardly you stopped in your tracks. You probably were putting the customers off by looking so serious, so you mustered a little fake smile and waved. This was pointless, as the kid didn't budge. Your face dropped and you uncomfortably stepped around the child and kept walking. You take a deep breath in and out as you start taking in the scenery in an attempt to loosen up. The whole attraction was massive, you always had a soft spot for tacky indoor nature displays, the fake plastic trees sticking out of the floor and the frogs croaking over the speakers really appealed to the dino loving kid you used to be. Then, something caught your eye. Up above is a grid of metal catwalks, seemingly for maintenance of the whole course. Through the leaves you catch a glimpse of a large figure squatting down, watching you. A pair of bright red reflective eyes are the only feature you can make out - “Hey!” A hand pokes your shoulder as a voice from behind you makes you jolt, one hand on your walkie and one hand outwards in a defensive position you twist around quickly. When you see that it's just another worker you glance away, embarrassed. ‘3rd jumpscare today…’ you think to yourself, your face already feeling red hot. “Woah restless are we?” The woman laughs in a thick southern accent. She’s older, a mess of curly gray hair wrapped back in a hairnet and a visor reading “Gator Grub” “Sorry mam, just a big place I'm not quite used to it yet” you sigh. “Don't you worry hun I've been there” She rests a motherly hand on yours “I was told we’d be getting a new guard today so me and the ladies fixed you up a bit of lunch!” She leads you past a few tables to the staff door of a fast food restaurant. A few other women her age work away behind the counter, all greet you with warm smiles and the same grandmotherly energy. You wonder if being a sweet old woman is a job requirement here. She hands you a paper bag with the gator golf logo printed on it. Smells like the most greasy burger ever made and it's exactly what you need right now. “Thank you so much” You say, looking back at

her. “No worries pumpkin, The security office is right through that door there if you need a breather, and if you need m’names Martha” She smiles, and points to a door at the back of the kitchen You step through the door to a long narrow hallway, the music from outside distant and muffled now. The hallway is eerie but you are too focused on your burger to care. Inside the security office it's dark and steamy from the massive boilers and pipes fixed into the wall, several screens light up a corner of the room with recordings of the cameras throughout this zone. You stop. There's somebody in this room. It took you a minute to notice but you can just barely hear the faded breath of someone behind you, by the opposite wall. The only thing separating the two of you is the large pipes making a column in the center of the room. You slowly put your burger down, your eyes darting across the desk for something to grab. Besides a few papers, it's empty. Fuck. Your only option is to run. You quickly turn heel and make a break for the door but your intruder is much faster than you. And much larger. Before you can reach the door your feet are already off the ground. Your hands hold on to the sides of a massive metal hand around your neck. It holds you against one of the walls. Slamming its other hand onto the brick beside you. It's breathing heavier now, looking straight at you. Its breath has a low electronic jitter. Looking back at you is a huge metal alligator, Monty. A red flash of hair matching its bright red eyes. Hot breath escapes through its sharp metal teeth. The robot’s face has the crazed look of a wild animal. In a panic you brush one of your hands along the wall behind you, and feel a pipe. Trying to support yourself with one arm and take some of the weight off your neck, you reach with the other as far as you can, looking for some kind of valve or lever. Your hand finally catches a nozzle and you twist it. Sending out a jet of burning hot steam straight at the gator. It drops you and stumbles back, and before you can think you dash out of the security office and onto the main floor, and through the crowds of people. - You finally stop to catch your breath. Some of the customers have stopped and are glancing at you nervously. You try your best to compose yourself, as you brush your hair away from your face your hand sends a painful sting up your arm. You look at it to see it's burned all along the side, likely from the steam, you hadn't even noticed thanks to all the adrenaline. Looking down at your walkie, just for a moment, you consider calling Ike. Instead, you decide to shake off the pain, and finish your shift. It’s nothing you can’t handle. At least that's what you tell yourself. A few hours pass, you keep to the outer edge of the zone. Trying to pass your time by people-watching. Most of the kids are loud but not disruptive, thankfully. You only have to tell a couple not to climb the displays or use their golf clubs for jousting. A loud message booms over the intercom in Freddy's voice- “ATTENTION ALL CUSTOMERS, THE MALL WILL BE CLOSING IN 20 MINUTES, PLEASE BEGIN MAKING YOUR WAY TO THE EXITS, AND SEE YOU SOON SUPERSTARS!” You hear the chattering of people getting ready to leave, and the ‘awws’ of children who weren’t done playing. Then out of the corner of your eye you see a small group of people, and in the middle of them is Monty standing proudly, a kid propped up on each bicep as the robot does a Hercules pose and parents take photos.. You feel a scowl crease your brow. As it lets them down and high fives them you hear it reciting lines like “Stay cool rockstar!” or “See you next time!” Then, as Monty is talking with fans saying final goodbyes its eyes catch yours. It holds its gaze with a smirk, and winks. - You make your way down the winding paths of the mall back to the hallway outside the daycare, your fists unintentionally clenched, as the day plays through your head over and over. Most of the customers are out of the mall by now, so you sit on the corner of one of the fountains

and wait for Ike. You let out a sigh, looking back at your burnt hand. You can feel your heartbeat on your skin. You try not to think of words like ‘searing’ or ‘sizzling’... You wince. “Hey lady!” You hear Ike’s cheerful voice echo down the hallway as he makes his way over to you. You smile, relieved to see such a good friend after a day like today. “Jesus Christ is that from today?” He glances down at your hand while you are still holding it. “Yeah… hurts like a bitch but I'll run some water on it at home. Just glad the day’s over man.” Ike stares back at you silently, smiling uncomfortably.

“So… really funny thing about that actually” He starts You stare back at him. Smile now completely gone from your face. “LOOK I'M SORRY! But we are super short staffed right now and we are gonna need to pull a night shift, BUT It’s gonna be super fun I promise” He chuckles nervously. You lean forward and put your head in your hands and groan. “What the hell guys!” Another voice calls from down the hallway, Isa is striding down the hall towards you both. She looks a bit exasperated, and her hands are covered in some sort of black grease. You can only imagine what kind of day she had on the other side of the mall. “I’ve been wandering this place for what seemed like an eternity, and you couldn't have even bothered to tell me my way back here or come find me? Not to mention that there was this crazy sun headed robot that didn’t let me have two seconds of peace!?“ You looked down at her belt, Ike had forgotten to give her a walkie, probably too busy thinking of pranking her. Ike stood there, a bit flushed. “Rant finished” She sighs, crossing her arms. Ike chuckles nervously again before speaking “Ok ok I’ve got an excuse- I mean a reason for everything you just said.” he held his hands up, trying to explain himself. “First things first, if we went out to look for you, then when you eventually did get back here, we wouldn't even be here and it would just turn into a mess! This place has a lot of twists and turns, okay” She cocks an eyebrow at him. “Bro, What! That doesn't even make sens-” He starts talking before she can finish “And second, is that it's fine cause now we get to spend even more time together! Because actualllyyyy- we are all doing night shift together! So I can teach you guys stuff! Yaaaay!” His facial expression is a tense grin as he drops that bomb on her. Isa’s jaw drops and she looks over at you. She giggles angrily, and looks back at Ike. “WHAT?” - The three of you sit on the hood of Ike’s car, passing around Isa’s box of cigs. The sunset just starting to dip behind the horizon, basking the pavement in a warm orange glow. Music plays from his stereo inside. “I feel better now” Isa sighs as she lets out a puff of smoke “Me too” you chuckle. Despite it all it is pretty nice to be working with two of your closest friends. It makes breaks a lot more enjoyable that's for sure. “Look guys, I am really sorry for today. I didn't mean for it to be this hectic, I promise things will calm down a bit, I know I was cracking jokes today but I care about you two a lot and I hate to stress you out like this.” Ike sighs, looking down at the pavement. Isa leans over and puts an arm around him, jostling him around playfully. “Aw it's ok my sexy little twink, mommy forgives you” She teases, making Ike chuckle. You laugh, and shake your head “Yeah, even though she said it in the worst way possible, it's not your fault at all man, it's nice we all get to hang out like this now anyway.” You say, as you take another drag of your cigarette. “Wait what's up with your hand?” Isa perks up, glancing over at you. You grin and lean back, flipping your hair back like a movie star “Oh it's nothing, just a gator attack” You say in a corny voice, acting cool. “Damn that's hot” she bites her lip and makes a face. They both laugh as you tap her on the forehead and call her a pervert. - “Ok. So here’s the rundown” The three of you stand in the mostly empty plaza center, outside gator golf. Ike talks to you both like a coach would talk to a football team. “Lets go over your stuff first Tyo. Because I’m going to have a lot to explain to Isa about night shifts.” He hands you a few things. A flashlight, a taser, and a loop of gray paracord. “The flashlight is self explanatory, it gets kind of dark in Gator Golf, so you need to have that on you and charge it regularly at one of those stations.” Ike points to a fazbear shaped box on the wall. “The taser is ONLY to be used in a serious emergency. If you damage Monty it is going to come out of your paycheck. Unfortunately, Monty is one of the animatronics