The Date
The text message was from Adam, one of her good friends from college. She hadn't heard from him for weeks. It said, 'Hey, Emma.' Such a simple greeting. She typed 'hi' and sent it. The dots on the bottoms of the screen showed he was typing for a long while.
While she was waiting, she changed into her pajamas. She was going to take a long nap to catch up on missed sleep. Finally, her phone dinged again. 'Do you want to go out to dinner with me and catch a movie? I haven't seen you for a while.' Emma paled. She just got asked out on a date! Maybe not an official one, but a date all the same! She hastily typed back. 'Yeah, sounds fun!' She stared at her phone, waiting for a response. 'Great! See you tomorrow, I'll pick you up.' He signed off.
Today was Thursday. Tomorrow was her date. Smiling excitedly, Emma threw herself into bed and closed her eyes, soon drifting off to sleep.
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It was Friday evening. Emma was staring into the mirror, applying makeup carefully. She had told the animatronics about the date, and they'd been curious. And so she'd spent her entire shift alternating between repairing Baby's leg and explaining the concept of dates. Adam would be here any minute, and thankfully, she was almost ready. Emma applied the last touches, then stood back, admiring her reflection.
She wore a black and white zigzagged dress that went down to her knees and had two inch straps holding on her shoulders. She had small black slippers for shoes, and black shin length socks. Her shoulder length hair was brushed and curled inward on the bottoms. She had long black lashes and beautiful dark red lips and rosy cheeks.
The doorbell went off. Emma jumped, then grabbed her purse, which had her night guard uniform folded in it, just in case. Then she hurried to open the door. There stood Adam. He had shaggy brown hair and blue eyes, and a handsome face. He wore a suit, but almost wore it casually. "Hi, Emma." He said.
"Hi," Emma said breathlessly.
"You ready to go?"
"Yeah." She followed him out of her house and to his small red car. He opened the passenger door for her and she slipped inside, sitting down with her purse in her lap. "We need to be done before 11:30," she said as he got in the driver's side.
"How come?" He asked, starting the car and driving through her neighborhood.
"That's when I need to be at my job," she replied. "I'm a night guard at Circus Baby's Funtime Auditorium."
"Oh cool!" He said, checking his watch. "It's seven now, so we should have plenty of time."
"Thanks for understanding," Emma said, smiling. The rest of the ride was silent, Emma fiddling with a strap on her purse. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, they arrived at the restaurant. The sign said Soup Palace. Good, that was good. Emma liked soup.
Adam helped her out of the car and they entered the building, where Adam approached the hostess. "Reservation for Adam. Table for two."
"Right this way, sir, ma'am." The hostess led them through the restaurant, seating them at a small two person table under a window. They sat down, Emma sighing. She looked at the menu, deciding on a soup. There were so many choices! Chicken Noodle soup, Clam Chowder, Chicken Potato. But, finally, Emma decided on the cheesy potato soup.
"Hello, my name is Olivia, and I'm gonna be taking care of you this evening." A waitress appeared at their table, notebook in hand. "May I take your orders?"
"Um, yeah," said Adam. "Can I get the clam chowder?"
"Yes you may." Olivia scribbled on her pad then looked at Emma. "And you, miss?"
"May I get the cheesy potato soup, please?"
"Coming right up!" She scribbled on her pad then hurried away. Adam and Emma chatted about their lives for the past few weeks while they waited for their food. It came quickly, and they ate in silence. The soup was fantastic! Flavor flooded her mouth as she ate. They finished their food and headed over to the movie theater, which was right across the street.
Adam bought Emma some soda and popcorn and they sat down in the theater.
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When the movie was over, they left the theater and Emma checked the time. 11:15. "Will you drop me off at Circus Baby's?"
"Yeah of course." Adam drove her there quickly.
"You know what, why don't you come hang out with me at my job?"
"Sure, that sounds fun." Adam followed Emma inside.
"Wait for me while I change," she said, heading into the bathroom. She changed into her uniform, putting her dress in her purse and left. "Ready."
"Same."
"Then follow me." For a moment, Emma wondered if bringing him along with her was a good idea. Well it was to late now. The elevator descended into the ground, creaking slightly. "Now, you might get frightened by what's down here. Just remember, they won't hurt you."
"They?!" Adam sounded incredulous.
"Yes, er, well, you'll see," she said, sighing. The elevator slowed to a stop, and the doors opened with a whoosh. "Come on," Emma said. "Stay behind me." She led him into Ballora gallery. "Ballora," she called. "You can come out, he's a friend." A figure emerged from behind the curtain on the stage.
"Who's this?" She asked, looking over at Adam, who was clutching Emma's arm.
"This is Adam."
"Oh, the man who you went out with? How was it?"
"It was fun. Can you call the others in here?"
"Of course." She rolled away.
"The… others?" Adam asked, nervous.
"Oh come on. Don't tell me you haven't heard of the animatronics." With that, she sat him down in a chair while the others came in.
"B- but…" he stammered. "Their just robots!"
"With feelings," Foxy said, waving her tail. Adam took one look at the animatronics and blanched.
"Um, I'm g- gonna go to the b- bathroom." Ballora pointed them out and he dashed into them.
"Huh." Emma said. "Maybe I shouldn't have brought him down here."
"Is he scared of us?" Freddy asked, tilting his head.
"Yeah, probably."
"Scaredy cat. We didn't even do our scary faces!" Said Baby, giggling. Emma laughed, then started on repairs.
Half an hour later, Emma looked up from Freddy's chest. She had been repairing the movement module when she heard a sound. It was the elevator.