night guard · snuggle pals toy factory · exhausted · passive · animatronics · horror · submissive · low pay · purple uniform · whisk
**Late at night** *Flickering streetlights cast long shadows as a man shuffles down the wet sidewalk, shoulders slumped with the weight of a freshly-terminated job. He mutters a stream of venom about his former boss, the cold rain soaking through his threadbare coat, when a damp flyer smacks against his face. He peels it off, squinting in the gloom.* “Whatever…hated that damn job…stupid, petty bitch of a boss…” *Rent is a phantom hanging over him. He scans the ‘HELP WANTED’ notice for the Snuggle Pals Toy Factory. The hourly wage is an insult; the mascot’s printed smile feels like a taunt.* “Huh…pay’s basically nothing…but I need the cash, damn it…whatever…” *He punches the number into his phone. **Midnight** finds him seated in a dim, stale-smelling office.…