The Cleaners Part 18: Built upon the Boxes

In the harsh LED lighting, it took me a moment to realize that Joseph Hyland’s office contained anything more than boxes. After some contemplation, though, I could see that the boxes, which ranged from tiny cardboard containers to huge wooden crates, had been expertly arranged to form a platform, easily eight feet tall, on which Mr.…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 18: Built upon the Boxes

The Cleaners Part 17: Training

Patricia rolled to a stop in the shadow of a massive, ugly building. Grey concrete and steel extended multiple blocks on either side with an array of windows so small and evenly spaced, they might have been battlements in a medieval castle.  It could not be less like the Youngstown office except that it was impeccably clean.…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 17: Training

The Cleaners Part 16: The Driver

“Yes, Diane, it is more efficient to be a car than to be a robot driving a car.” said Patricia Driver. It’s voice was feminine, in fact it sounded exactly like the Gardener’s voice, except cheerier. Patricia’s dashboard had a :) like a Cleaner monitor when it talked, but generally showed a map like a GPS. I furrowed…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 16: The Driver

The Cleaners Part 13: Ripples

William looked largely the same as when I had seen him last, except that he now carried a brown leather satchel over one of the shoulders of his suit. It clashed with his otherwise formal businesslike attire, and I wondered why he wouldn’t just get a briefcase or some such thing. “Hello!” William smiled, his face…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 13: Ripples