Jack

Man, I wish they’d fix that elevator… Seriously, I’ve been climbing seven stories for the last month. I guess the guys upstairs have it worse, but still. “everyone’s entitled to their own sorrow”, right? Whatever…

I fumble with the keys as I step up to my door. After I unlock it, the door gives off a familiar creak in half-hearted greeting. I shut it again, lifting it as I do so it goes back in the frame properly.

The single room looks the same as ever as I walk a few steps in and drop my pack onto the bed. I turn on the sink and rinse off my face. The heat has been getting worse, and the daily climb definitely doesn’t help.

I look around, trying to figure out what to do. Guess I should eat something at least… I crack the lid on a pack of ramen and pour some water in before putting it in the microwave.

The motor on the spinning tray whines like it always does and I sit back on my bed.

I hear the familiar drone of traffic outside and wonder what everyone else is doing. I mean, it’s got to be more interesting than this, right? Still, this could be a lot worse. I’ve got a roof over my head and a place to call home, if nothing else.

The microwave beeps a few times, jarring me back into my apartment. I grab a spoon from the drawer and wipe it off before stirring the ramen around a bit. It’s still steaming, so I’ll wait. Not going to make that mistake twice.

I look back out the window, down by the hundreds of identical rooms, all facing down into the same courtyard and onto the same street.

There’s got to be something more than this, right?