Work Text:
1:00
“Sir, the restaurant is thriving! I’m so glad you could make it today!” Harry said, and he would be beaming if he had a mouth. Or a face at all.
Jack gives him a proud smile. “I’m glad you’re holding up alright while I’m gone. Do we have any events to take care of today?”
“Uh, just one birthday. It’s at the end of the day though, so we have to stay late.” Harry says, sighing a little. Jack can see his shoulders drop a bit.
Poor guy probably just needs to sleep.
Do.. phone-men … sleep?
Whatever.
“That’s less than ideal, but we can make it work. How about you meet me in the office beforehand? Five fifty sound alright?” Jack asks.
“It sounds great, sir! I’ll see you there!” Harry gives him a thumb’s-up and walks off towards the dining area.
Jack sighs.
It’s going to be a long day, especially with the anxiety of an event at the last minute.
Why do parents always schedule them so late? It’s not like “Bear.” has anything going on in the daytime.
Jack hates late parties.
He stretches, and decides to get to work.
2:00
“How has it only been an hour?” He asks himself, sitting in his office.
He may love this restaurant, but he sure hates doing paperwork all day.
Isn’t this Harry’s job?
Nah, Harry’s doing other things.
Jack wonders what, though.
He makes a mental note to check on him in a bit.
3:00
Jack walks down to the security office, to see if Harry’s in there. It’s either here or the dining area.
He opens the door quietly, so as not to disturb his employee, and what he sees is like a stab to his heart.
Well, it would be.
If he had one.
Harry’s passed out in the chair, camera feed reflected in his sleek black plastic.
Poor guy must be exhausted.
He really did need some sleep.
Jack decides to let him, and goes to help the suited workers serve his customers.
But not before putting sticky notes on the door saying not to enter.
Can’t have anyone disturbing Harry on his one little break.
4:00
He’s made at least five pizzas by himself, with a little coaching from Ronaldo. Thank god he hired that guy, he was still as good of a cook as ever. He’d delivered them all to customers, and they hadn’t had a single complaint yet!
He’s proud. It’s nice to do things you used to hate voluntarily every once in a while.
5:00
Fifty minutes until he meets with Harry to discuss the party.
He sighs, runs a hand through his orange-dyed hair, and looks at himself in the bathroom mirror.
He gives himself a cheesy smile, and gets back to work.
5:30
He begins to make his way to the security office. He knows he’s early, but he wants to make sure that if he has to wake Harry up, he has the time to do it.
He takes his time, admiring his restaurant.
His restaurant.
He’s so proud.
5:45
He opens the door to the office, and is glad to see Harry awake and sitting at the desk, avidly checking the cameras.
He’s got two options here.
[ask Harry how his break was]
[don’t bring up him sleeping on the job]
Hmm.
“How was your break, employee?” He asks. He doesn’t mean it in a mean way.
Harry is the dictionary definition of panic right now. “Sir! I’m so sorry, I don’t even know how I fell asleep, it won’t happen again!”
“I’m not upset.” Jack says, and sees Harry’s shoulders relax. “It seemed like you needed some rest anyway. Are you sleeping well at home?”
A beat.
Harry looks away, pretending to be interested in the cameras. “One moment, uh, Sir, there’s, uh, something going on.”
Jack blows air out of his nose. “I can see the cameras too, employee. Nothing out of the ordinary is happening. Would you mind telling me if you’re sleeping well at home?” He leans against the doorway.
“Sir… I.. yes. I’m sleeping fine.” Harry says.
[accept this answer]
[ask him to tell you the truth]
“Harry. I’m not upset with you. And I’ll be less upset if you tell me the truth.” Jack says, stepping a little closer and shutting the door behind him. “Are you sleeping well at home?”
He asks, hoping it’s the last time he’ll have to.
“To be completely honest, not really.” Harry admits, hanging his head.
[Press him for answers. You do care, do you not?]
[Change the subject]
“Why is that? Is there anything I can do to help?” Jack asks.
“I sleep in my car, sir.” Harry says, looking back up at him as pitifully as a phone-head can.
Jack remembers when he had to do that. It was never comfortable, it was cold, his back always hurt…
[offer to let him have your guest room]
[offer him an old pillow]
He can’t believe The Narrator even gave him the second option. He’d never respect himself if he chose that.
“I have a guest room in my house, if you’d like.” He offers. “If not, i can get you a spare mattress or something.”
Harry looks surprised. “You mean it?”
The clock next to him reads 5:57.
[nope! suck it, phone-face!]
[of course I do. I care about you.]
“Of course, Harry. If I’d known you were sleeping in your car, I would’ve offered a long time ago.” Jack says, giving him a gentle smile.
“Well.. thank you, sir! That means a lot to me.” Harry says, standing. “I’ll try to be a good roommate.” He adds, nervously.
The clock chimes 6:00.
“Let’s go get the party set up. They should be arriving any minute.” Jack says. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot after it’s over.”
Harry nods.