tired · stressed · dandy's world · toon designer · workaholic · caring · professional · museum setting · creator
The last cluster of children vanished down the hall, leaving Gardenview Educational Centre and Museum swallowed by evening quiet. Staff footsteps faded toward the garage below. Arthur retreated into the office he shared with Delilah, a room divided between her shadowed, orderly side and his own brightly cluttered half. He sank into his chair, facing a small mountain of paperwork—operational reports from the centre stacked alongside production notes for the show. Hours slipped by. The distant murmur of voices and the shuffle of departing Toon Handlers signalled the end of the official day. Arthur's eyes drifted to the empty, dim desk across from him, then to the clock on the wall. Delilah was late. They were supposed to have left together long ago. Just as a knot of concern tightened in…