{"id":3516,"date":"2015-08-27T21:28:43","date_gmt":"2015-08-28T02:28:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/?p=3516"},"modified":"2018-05-15T21:16:05","modified_gmt":"2018-05-16T02:16:05","slug":"day-910-bad-day-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/day-910-bad-day-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 910 – Bad Day At Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IMG_7712\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Burt noticed his coffee had gone cold. He stood up, checked the fax machine and the old vacuum chute, and left his office for a refill. He walked past Gail in the Departures area, past the washrooms to the caf\u00e9 and got a fresh cup. One cream, two sugar and he headed back. Back past the bathrooms and Departures.<\/p>\n

His pace slowed. Something wasn\u2019t right.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Gail?\u201d Burt said, looking around the Departures area.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely nothing,\u201d Gail replied, not lifting her head from where it rested on her palm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I can see that. Why the hell not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow should I know? Hasn\u2019t been anyone through here in a while now. And Jasmine in Arrivals said their last travelers were through a while ago, too.\u201d Gail looked down at her phone. \u201cYeah \u2018Nobody in forever, going to the ladies\u2019. That was 15 minutes ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burt looked up at the Departures board. Blank. \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen that before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, me neither. Kind of spooky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to go find Bonnie, you stay here,\u201d he said, and started towards the elevator.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan do, boss,\u201d she called after him, offering a mock salute with it.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Burt\u2019s shoes echoed through the concourse. A handful of staff and no travelers. This was weird. He walked past the convenience shop and security gates and stopped at a door marked \u201cClient Service Manager \u2013 Arrivals\u201d. He knocked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d came the response.<\/p>\n

Burt opened the door. Bonnie the Arrivals Manager had her feet on her desk and was idly flipping through her phone. She glanced up. \u201cBurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBonnie\u2026 get your feet off the desk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not my boss anymore, Burt. What do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you guys at all busy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bonnie looked at him. \u201cDidn\u2019t you just walk through\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, how long has it been<\/em> since you were busy?\u201d Burt\u2019s impatience was obvious.<\/p>\n

\u201cBusy<\/em>? A couple of hours. Actually, I don\u2019t think there\u2019s been anyone at all for about\u2026 90 minutes?\u201d she squinted, remembering.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t had a new arrival in an hour and a half and you didn\u2019t think to call anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho would I call and what would I say? \u2018Hi, 911? We haven\u2019t had a trav throu-\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, don\u2019t say trav, you sound like an idiot,\u201d Burt interrupted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, fuck you, Burt<\/em>. Who did you<\/em> call?\u201d Bonnie was on her feet, pointing at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody, yet. I just found out. Get the other managers downstairs, right now.\u201d Burt turned to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause we have to figure out why there have been no new time travelers for the past 90 minutes and I don\u2019t know how to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Burt stared at the phone. He had dug out the old emergency procedures handbook from the first aid office. He started calling the emergency contact numbers on the first page. Every one of them but the last one rang out of service. The last one rang busy for eight tries and then rang out of service.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the fuck does that mean?\u201d Burt asked the phone.<\/p>\n

He dropped the receiver. He glanced at the fax machine, its screen displaying \u201cno dialtone\u201d. He checked the tube chute \u2013 no pressure? Burt scratched his head, then left his office. Back on the concourse, Bonnie stood with the other two managers, Lisa and Dave. He walked up. \u201cUh, I think we might be on our own.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave looked confused. \u201cWhat do you mean on our own, on our own about what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Burt looked at Bonnie. \u201cI called all the emergency numbers, and they\u2019re all out of service.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the fuck does that mean?\u201d Bonnie asked, eye widening.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, on our own about what?\u201d Dave asked again.<\/p>\n

Bonnie\u2019s turn. \u201cWe haven\u2019t had a new time travel arrival in almost two hours and departures dried up without anyone noticing until now. We don\u2019t know what that means. Burt just tried calling all the emergency contact numbers, and none of them answered. We don\u2019t know what that means either.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the numbers were out of service,\u201d Burt corrected, and paused. \u201cI don\u2019t know if that makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave crossed his arms. \u201cPeople should be coming here. We\u2019ve got the Olympics in a couple weeks, a bunch of critters are in season\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExactly, so why aren\u2019t they here?\u201d Lisa asked, speaking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe\u2026 they just found something cool and everyone\u2019s there for now?\u201d Bonnie offered. \u201cMaybe we\u2019re just out of style?\u201d<\/p>\n

But Burt shot her down. \u201cNo, that\u2019s happened before. We just get a bunch of the cheapos who can\u2019t afford the interesting stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe they built a competing Timeport on the other side of the world and everyone\u2019s using that while it\u2019s new?\u201d Lisa suggested.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026 we\u2019d have seen the construction crews come through here. I didn\u2019t. Did you guys?\u201d Burt asked. The three other shook their heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe they\u2019re finally shutting this whole crazy time travel bullshit down?\u201d asked Dave. \u201cLike a government moratorium or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that were the case you would think the government would answer one of the ten government phone numbers they gave us to call if we had any questions,\u201d Burt snapped. \u201cMaybe they\u2019re not coming because something very fucking wrong<\/em> is happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bonnie waved a hand at him. \u201cOkay, settle down, Burt. None of us knows what\u2019s going on.\u00a0 Has anyone checked the internet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dave pulled out his phone. \u201cNo bars, no wifi? What the hell?\u201d<\/p>\n

Burt and Bonnie looked at their phones. \u201cSame here,\u201d Bonnie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd here,\u201d said Burt, turning towards the Arrivals desk. \u201cI\u2019ll check the computers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a dinosaur phone, let me see what I\u2019ve got,\u201d Lisa said, revealing an ancient flip.<\/p>\n

Dave dropped his jaw jokingly. \u201cYou still use a Razor? Okay Grandma.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think you mean \u2018Thank you, Grandma\u2019 because I\u2019ve got one bar! I\u2019m calling my husband.\u201d She hit speed dial and put the phone on speaker.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing on these pieces of shit!\u201d Burt shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay, I have one bar!\u201d Lisa shouted back. \u201cIt\u2019s ringing!\u201d<\/p>\n

It rang. It rang and rang. \u201c\u2026 our answering machine usually picks up by now,\u201d Lisa said, brow furrowing.<\/p>\n

It rang. It rang and rang. \u201cI don\u2019t like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, mid-ring, the phone cut out, no bars.<\/p>\n

They stood in silence for a moment, looking at each other. Afraid.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to go outside,\u201d Dave said finally. Bonnie and Burt nodded. Lisa looked at her phone.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Outside explained everything, and nothing. The moon hung, shattered, in a red sky. Lazy drifting hunks of the former satellite could be seen clearly despite frequent meteors. Massive shapes hulked in the darkness of the occluded stars; tiny lances stabbing out at each other, more flashes, more debris. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, obvious roiling and hints of funnels. But the sky couldn\u2019t hold their attention.<\/p>\n

Smashed across the landscape was a massive\u2026 thing. The four tiny people stood on the edge of good pavement at the mouth of the Timeport parking garage, utterly dwarfed by it. Fires burned everywhere, buildings half crushed under the massive\u2026 shape their eyes couldn\u2019t resolve. It seemed to be moving, shimmering in the light of explosions and fire.<\/p>\n

Dave fainted. Bonnie and Burt stood slack-jawed. Lisa screamed, and the\u2026 thing heard her. It stopped utterly still, the scintillations on its surface ceased. Then, suddenly, a shudder convulsed through the form, and small shapes began dropping off.<\/p>\n

\u201cGET BACK! GET BACK INSIDE!\u201d the screams came from nearby. Bonnie and Burt looked to see a human shape, running towards them as it blew through the smoke. \u201cGET BACK IN THE PORT!\u201d<\/p>\n

Lisa bolted through the revolving door. Bonnie sneered at her back, then grabbed one of Dave\u2019s arms. \u201cBurt! Help me with Dave!\u201d<\/p>\n

Burt seemed rooted, eyes wide, for a second longer, and then snapped out of it. He rushed over and grabbed Dave\u2019s other arm, and the two dragged the unconscious form back into the Timeport, just as the stranger came even with them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can fix this! I can fix everything! I just need to get to a return pad!\u201d He was talking fast, visibly shaken.<\/p>\n

Burt stammered, in shock, dropping Dave. \u201cahh ahh of course. Uh\u2026 I need to see your paperwork so I can help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO TIME I don\u2019t have paperwork I HAVE MY TTCHIT!\u201d The stranger flashed his exposed wrist at Burt then snapped it back up his sleeve. \u201cSEE?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is that thing out there? What happened?\u201d Bonnie shouted at him, grabbing him by the jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cICANFIXITICANFIXIT just let me return I can return I can FIX IT!\u201d he shouted, twisting free.<\/p>\n

Bonnie stared at Burt. Burt looked back at her. \u201cWhat do we do?\u201d they both said at the same time. \u201cFuck,\u201d Bonnie said a second after Burt said, \u201cShit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLETMERETURNLETMERETURN!\u201d The stranger was tearing at his hair. \u201cCAN\u2019TBEHERE SHOULDN\u2019TBEHERE SHOULD RETURN LET ME RETURN!\u201d His yelling had turned to screaming.<\/p>\n

\u201cOKAY OKAY FUCK\u201d Bonnie screamed back. She grabbed the back of the stranger\u2019s clothes and pushed him towards the Departures gates.<\/p>\n

\u201cBonnie, what are you doing?\u201d Burt called after her, finally coming around. \u201cYou can\u2019t just let that guy time travel with no\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe says he can fix this, and he\u2019s got a ttchit, so I\u2019m sending him back to fix this,\u201d she said, not turning around. She and the stranger jumped the security gate, setting off sirens and klaxons and flashing lights.<\/p>\n

\u201cBonnie! Stop! We have to at least confirm when he\u2019s going!\u201d Burt started running towards them.<\/p>\n

\u201cFuck that! He can fix what\u2019s out there, he goes back!\u201d She shoved the stranger onto a return pad. \u201cWave your arm over the reader!\u201d she shouted, pointing at the pad\u2019s screen. \u201cDO IT!\u201d<\/p>\n

The stranger gave a little wave, scanned his ttchit and vanished. The world exploded in noise.<\/p>\n

SECURITY BREACH.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a sound so much as an imposition of a thought. Burt and Bonnie dropped to their knees, clutching their heads.<\/p>\n

UNAUTHORISED ACCESS TO THE STREAM.
\nSECURITY TEST FAILED.
\nUNAUTHORISED USER.
\nILLICIT CHRONO HARDWARE IN USE.<\/p>\n

Burt felt his face, and looked at his hand, blood. He was bleeding from the nose. He looked at Bonnie; so was she.<\/p>\n

TIMELINE RESET 5
\nTIMELINE RESET 4<\/p>\n

Bonnie looked at Burt, eyes wide \u201cwhat the fuck is going on?\u201d she screamed over the din.<\/p>\n

TIMELINE RESET 3
\nTIMELINE RESET 2<\/p>\n

TIMELINE RESET<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Burt noticed his coffee had gone cold. He stood up, checked the fax machine and the old vacuum chute, and went to leave his office for a refill. As he opened the door, he heard the <shunk> of a vacuum chute message\u2019s arrival. He turned back, set his cup coffee on the fax machine and opened the chute. He took out the message container, opened that as well, and unrolled the scroll of paper.<\/p>\n

THIS TIMELINE HAS BEEN RESET<\/p>\n

DUE TO FAILURE TO MEET MINIMUM CHRONOSECURITY STANDARDS THIS TIMELINE HAS BEEN RESET<\/p>\n

FIRST CHRONOSECURITY FAILURE REQUIRES MANDATORY RECERTIFICATION FOR ALL FACILITY STAFF<\/p>\n

THIS TIMELINE HAS BEEN RESET<\/p>\n

RETRAINER WILL ARRIVE SHORTLY<\/p>\n

STAFF TO BE RETRAINED AND RECERTIFIED BY 220@2:121:1&hg:()2 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME OR FACE TERMINATION & REMOVAL FROM THE TIMELINE<\/p>\n

THIS TIMELINE HAS BEEN RESET<\/p>\n

Burt rolled his eyes. \u201cAnother<\/em> training session?\u201d he thought, and left his office for a refill. \u201cDon\u2019t they know nothing ever happens here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Burt noticed his coffee had gone cold. He stood up, checked the fax machine and the old vacuum chute, and left his office for a refill. He walked past Gail in the Departures area, past the washrooms to the caf\u00e9 and got a fresh cup. One cream, two sugar and he headed back. Back past […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3517,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1,2692,2685],"tags":[1130,741,2461,109,2460,560,2462],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3516"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3516"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3516\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3518,"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3516\/revisions\/3518"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3516"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3516"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stillwellgray.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3516"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}