It’s 1:15AM.

My over night agent is in the subbasement cafeteria scavenging whatever hand me downs were left over from the family meal. My night bellman is nowhere to be found, but if I would have to guest he’s probably curled in a fetal position in one of the cubbyholes in the bell closet. I star at the blue screen in front of me and pretend to be busy as guests return in sprinkles, silently stumbling towards the elevator.

It’s 1:30AM.

My eyes are darting back and forth between the blue screen below and the revolving door straight ahead, then in the corner of my eye, it begins to turn and Dark Mark bee lines for the front desk like a defensive lineman. Behind him are Tahlia and Angel each holding black and yellow carry cases. I slip him an envelope and the three disappear in the elevator just as Billy Blue hugs the corner with a can of Pepsi in his hand.

I open the back office door for him and ask, “How was the pasta?”

Setting down his Pepsi on a work desk he turns to me, “Not bad. Anything happened while I was on gone?”

“It’s dead. I’m going on break and then going to make my rounds. Radio me if you need me.” I’m in the elevator before he can response.

I push the door open on 2115, lock the dead bolt, and set the safety latch. Dark Mark has already assemble the Red camera, as Tahlia preps her sound equipment.

Angel walks up to me, “How much time we got?”

It’s 1:45 AM.

I take my jacket off and roll my sleeves, “An hour, maybe two. It’s slow, so let’s just see how much we can do tonight.”

Mark hands me the sides, “Lighting in ten minutes. You guys want to run your lines?”

“Of course. Where’s Angel?” I follow the smell of cigarettes to the balcony and twist open the door. “Security. Is there is problem in the room sir?”

He turns and blows smoke in my face, “Why yes of course! There’s a fucking ghost in my room?”

“Sir I assure you that is not the case…” I step back into the room, “Not to loud, there’s actual guests two floors below.”

He steps in the room still smoking, “Bullshit!” He steps back outside and throws his cigarette off the balcony as he walks back into the room.

Dark Mark yells from across the room, “We’re ready for rehearsal!”

Angel steps on his mark as Tahlia measure his distance from the camera. He mumbles, “…by the way there’s a naked guy masturbating on the balcony below us.”

It’s 2:00 AM.

Dark Mark’s eyes rise, “Is he hung?”