Think about a coworker of your muse. Describe your muse from that person's point of view.
“Why? Did he... do something?”
The severely under-paid, teenage employee’s initial reaction to being asked about Mr. Afton was certainly telling. The poor kid’s bloodshot eyes were darting from side to side like he expected that the old man was listening through the walls of the dingy establishment. He’d seen something, no doubt about it, and it had left him too scared to sleep but even more fearful of what might happen if he quit. God forbid he tell some no-name investigator like me about it.
The whole place smelled like cheap, cloyingly sweet birthday cake and stale pizza with a hint of vomit. In all my time as an investigator, I’d never been to a place that was so off-putting yet still in operation somehow. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Mr. Emily, if he wasn’t in on it too.
“I mean, he’s uhh... well, he sure is my boss. Mr. Emily handles the entertainment and Mr. Afton handles the finances. That’s what I was told anyway.”
Of course, I didn’t have a lick of evidence - certainly nothing that could be presented in court. It was all hear-say. Rumors. The kinds of scary stories kids tell each other for kicks. No one would believe it unless somebody proved it beyond a fraction of a doubt, and that wasn’t going well.
“He’s... nice?” The kid continued when I realized that I’d been staring. There had to be more. He knew there was more. “Doesn’t come out of his office much but when he does he’s always smiling. He-he’s good with the kids too? Like, he gets on their level.”
“Uh-huh. Look, I’m not a cop.” I tried to be reassuring but I was never a people person. Don’t get me wrong - I love people. I’m just the type who does more good from a distance. “I’m just here investigating some rumors. That’s probably all it is. Rumors.”
“Oh. Well uhh... he stays late sometimes. Says he just wants to be with the animatronics? There’s one in particular that he likes a whole lot - the yellow rabbit? I figure he must not have the best home life... but that’s none of my business!”
Yeah, he was nervous. This kid wanted me out of there pronto. I didn’t know how to get it through to him that I could help. That if those awful rumors were true, he wasn’t going to save any of those little ones by sticking around and keeping his lips sealed.
“Look...” I took a glimpse at his name tag, trying to establish a more personal connection. “Fritz... here’s my card. If you think of anything else, you just give me a call.”
