The sign on the door read “SYSTEM ENGINEERING”, but it was just a fancy way of saying “Janitor”, or Jandimán as Rosa was fond of saying. Much like some folks had tried to change his name back when he worked to “Sanitation Engineer”, but he knew what he was, what had been…a San Man.

It had been a good life driving the trucks and doing the snow removal in the City, and it paid well too. But when an old friend of his told him that his son could get him in on some section 8 housing for the summer so that he could spend his winters down in the fun and sun of Florida, he jumped at the chance.

It was a pleasant enough summer, though there hadn’t been any pretty young things looking for a dirty old man like there had been in the past….but there was time enough for that later. There had been the little cutie with the romance novel tucked under her arms that he had seen in the lobby as she was checking in...Melanie something Maybe her desire for romance would lead her downstairs to the lounge….and it was Karaoke night tonight.

The basement was cooler then the upper floors by a few degrees and it was a pleasant change form the room that he had spent playing chess with the writer fellow. The writer fellow had been easy, but he had been distracted as his muse suddenly started to awaken. It had been a basic Giuoco Piano opening and it had worked. He was shocked and disappointed that the game had been such a short one.

But behind the door would be Garret the “Station Engineer” and he would be just starting his morning break. Now here was a challenge. Garret had never been taught any of the strategies of Chess, the man was a natural at this or any game that he had been shown how to play. He could see possibilities up to 12 moves into the future, and he would tell you that this was why he was at the Mc Mannis as well. He shoved the door open and saw Garret sitting behind his desk with the chess clock to the side.

Now Garret was a slender man in his early fifties but didn’t look it or even act it. He flirted with all the girls in housekeeping, and usually managed to hook up with the new ones whenever there as a large turn over in that department. Over in the corner sat Rosa a very small pale skinned and green eyed woman drinking her real Coke-Cola from Mexico and eating a peanut butter sandwich.

Around a mouthful of sandwich Rosa said “Hola Viejo, ya goin’ to beat him todia?” as she nodded her head to toward Garret.

The old man chuckled and replied “Only if I can confuse him enough Rosa.” As he sat down and scooted the chair closer to the desk and set the box and chess board down. Garret placed the board and started to set the pieces.

The old man looked at Rosa “So, is that all you are eating? You on a diet young lady?”

Rosa smiled at the comment “No, my Kids estúpido dog ate mi lonche, this was what I could findear in the breakroom.”

Garret Laughed “Old man, Rosa already has an ass fo a day, she don’t need to be dietin’. Anyways, I thought that you was gettin’ rid of the idiot dog of yours?”

“No” Rosa said sheepishly “Mi Kids love that estúpido dog, it would be burujón to get rid of him.”

The two men laughed and nodded as the pieces were set up. When everything was ready, the old man picked up his white knight and moved it.

The room fell silent as the opening moves came in rapid succession of hands slapping the top of the clock.

Rosa finished her sandwich and washed the remains of the peanut butter out of her mouth as she watched the game.

“Garret, did I tell you about the odd smell upstairs” she asked in a small voice.

“No, Rosa ya didn’ say nothing about it, watcha smellin’ girl’?”

“Well, it smelled like when mi Tios would butcher a pig for the fiestas”

“Whaaaa?”

“Yes, just like that.”

“You have got to be jokin’.” The chess game was now an after thought to what the woman from house keeping was telling him as he absentmindedly moved a piece and smacked the clock.

The old man smiled for a moment.

“Yes, just like then. The air was heavy and all of the other criadas refused to go near the room. It has had a “do not disturb” sign on it for two days now.” she continued.

Garret looked at the game for a second, moved a piece and smacked the clock.

“When do they check out Rosa?” Asked the Old Man as he moved a piece “Oh, and that is Check Garret.”

“Sarah said Manana.” Rosa said softly.

Garret looked down at the chess board noticing that the old man was right. He also noticed that the Old Man would win in 4 moves at the most. He pondered this and knocked over his King.

“Good move old man distractin’ me with Rosa’s story.” He chuckled.

“No. No story it is true. Nobody wants to be the one that has findear out what happened in there and everyone is planning on calling in illfermo manana”

Now even the old man was looking worried as he started to pick up his pieces and placing them in the box. He has shaken by the possibilities and missed knocking the Black Queen off of the desk.

“Thank you Garret, but I think I should be going. Rosa, you be careful.” As he picked up the box and board and left the room.

“Véale old man” Said Rosa as she tossed the Coke bottle into the trash and quickly left after the him leaving Garret to ponder what was told to him.

There were all sorts of possibilities as to what was in the room. His mind ran them over, the worst two things that he could think of was that the guest had died, or that there was a sheep again. He didn’t like either possibility. Bodies were troublesome, and sheep were just a pain in the ass to deal with...especially the live hungry ones.

“Housekeeping.” He yelled loudly as he knocked on the door.

Nothing.

“HOUSEKEEPING.” This time pounding louder.

Nothing...except the for one of the section 8 Old ladies down the way.

“Hey...Missus Webstah...yeah...it’s aight...go back to watching the Wheel...yeah...I am sorry fo being loud.”

When the old lady closed the door he pulled out his key and slid it in to the lock. He opened the door slowly. The He was hit by the smell first. It hit him in the gut...a very primal smell...the smell of death. The walls were black in great wide streaks.

Blood.

Garret backed out of the room and found himself pinned against the wall in horror. At this point Garret’s body decided to add a few scents to that of the charnel room in front of him.

• Wit's End
• The Writing Room
• Sarah At The Desk
• Glass Rose
• Karaoke Night Tonight
• Black Queen