
The Big Reveal
1
“He must have exploded!” Carly said wide-eyed in wonder.
“Yeah, we don’t need a mop and bucket so much a spatula.” Bob replied.
“Why build a giant microwave anyway? That’s just asking for trouble.”
“Well it is a popular fast food business. They just make everything beforehand and heat it up in the microwave in large lots when the wave of customers hits.” Bob explained. “Remind me to never eat here again.”
“So this guy must have walked in and then someone else must have closed the door and turned it on. Makes you wonder why.” Carly commented. Bob just shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s not our problem. We’re just here to clean up the body, or what’s left of it.”
“He certainly got into every crevice.” They both looked at each other and sighed.
“Well let’s get to it then!” Bob suggested.
They brought in their mops, buckets, squeegees, spray bottles, and industrial cleaners and then got to work. Within a few hours they had completely removed any trace of the poor unfortunate who had been splattered all over the insides of the giant oven. Before leaving they did a routine check they hadn’t missed anything, and carried out what remains there were in a black plastic bag. They then went down to the car park completely ignored by anyone they saw. Bob liked being a cleaner, since no one really paid much attention to you. You were both visible and invisible at the same time.
They loaded everything into the back of their white van with the words ERAZE printed on the side, removed all their protective equipment, and then drove off. Carly preferred to drive since she was relatively quick, but stealthy at the same time, which was important for people working in a business like theirs, particularly one they would rather not draw attention to. Once on the freeway they both relaxed a bit.
“Any plans after work?” Carly asked.
“No, I was just thinking of heading back to my apartment and collapsing onto my bed. It’s been a tiring day.”
“I know! Three bodies today! Who would have thunk it? People be cray cray at the moment!” Carly agreed. “I need to unwind first. I was thinking of going to the bar and shooting some pool. You’re welcome to come with.”
“You mean tag along and spend what’s left of the night watching you beat everyone? I think I’ll pass.”
“Your loss.” Carly replied shrugging her shoulders.
Carly parked the van in the Warehouse. She opened the back door and went inside to check the body remains had been correctly stored. Bob joined her, closing the door behind him.
“Why did you close the door?” Carly asked.
“Privacy.” Bob replied.
But it’s self-locking.”
“I thought you had the key.”
“No they’re still in the lock. Shit! Now we’re locked in!” Carly informed him.
“Crap!” Bob added. “How do we get out?” Carly squeezed past him and tried opening the doors, but they wouldn’t budge.
“I have no idea!” Carly replied. “What I do know is that once we leave the van, it is taken back to Headquarters and serviced.”
“Headquarters?” Bob gasped in horror and went pale. “We’re not meant to be there.”
“I know!”
“This is really bad isn’t it?’ Bob asked with a rising sense of panic. They both made for the doors and tried to force them open, but to no avail. Then suddenly they both felt they were going downwards, like they were in a lift. This sensation went on for some time. Once it stopped, they then felt the van move slowly forwards, as though they were now on a conveyor belt.
“Well, we’re definitely on the way to Headquarters. Thanks for ruining my evening bitch!” Carly remarked, feeling really pissed with Bob.
“Where abouts is it?” Bob asked.
“No idea. In fact I don’t think anyone knows, apart from the people that run this service obviously.”
“What will they do when they find us here?” Bob asked fearing the worst.
“Don’t know, but considering we work for a business that deals with erasing any evidence of dead bodies I’m not sure we’re going to walk away from this.” Carly replied. She sat down on the floor looking unhappy. “I should have been killing it on the pool table by now.”
“I’m sorry for closing the door on us. I wasn’t thinking.” Bob admitted.
“Damn right you weren’t!” Carly agreed.
All of a sudden the van came to a halt.
to be continued…
Joanne Fisher
This was originally a story I wrote for a competition, but then when I rechecked the rules I found I had got it horribly wrong, so I never submitted it. As it’s over two thousand words I thought I would post it here in three parts.
©2020 Joanne Fisher