The orientation room was a stark, brightly lit space, a temporary holding cell for new hires before they were released into the labyrinthine Alluring Realms facility. Bennett sat at a long table, a stack of forms before him that seemed to multiply with each passing minute. His pen scratched against the paper as he filled in his personal details, emergency contacts, and acknowledgments of company policy. The air was thick with the low hum of the building's ventilation system and the nervous rustling of other new recruits shuffling their own paperwork.
His trainer, a stout, friendly woman named Carol with a nametag that simply read "Facilities," leaned against the edge of the table, a laminated wristband dangling from her fingers. "These wristbands are your lifeline here, Bennett," she explained, her voice warm and encouraging. "They act as your security clearance, granting you access to authorized areas based on your role. They're also your key to most doors, supply closets, and even clocking in and out." She tapped the smooth surface of the band. "Treat it like gold; replacing a lost one is a hassle."
Carol pointed to a sensor on the wall near the doorway. "To enter a secured area, just tap your wristband against the reader. A green light means you're good to go; red means you don't have the necessary clearance." She chuckled. "Don't try to sneak into the developer labs on your first day. Trust me, it won't end well."
Bennett nodded, picturing the "vibrant, pixelated worlds" he was now one step closer to. He imagined the developer rooms, perhaps glimpsing lines of code for Ludere Online, the very game that held such fascination for him. He was reminded of his research into the Kingdom of Soohan and the other factions, a world he hoped to explore someday.
"Now, let's talk about your cleaning schedule and responsibilities," Carol continued, picking up a clipboard. "Your primary areas will be the general office spaces on the first and second floors, the reception area, and the employee break rooms." She pointed to a section of a floor plan she’d laid out. "These areas need to be cleaned daily, ideally before the main staff arrives and again after they leave."
She then specified, "The restrooms on each floor require more frequent attention – at least twice a day. We want to keep those sparkling." Carol made a face. "Gamers and energy drinks… you can imagine." Bennett chuckled.
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"The labs and server rooms are strictly off-limits unless you are specifically directed by a senior facilities manager," Carol emphasized, her tone becoming more serious. "Those areas contain sensitive equipment and proprietary technology. Unauthorized access is grounds for immediate termination." Bennett made a mental note, though his curiosity about the "humming servers" that powered Ludere Online was definitely piqued. He knew Dave, the CEO and the "brain child" of Ludere Online, was attempting to do groundbreaking work.
Carol then moved on to cleaning supplies. "In each supply closet, you'll find a list of approved cleaning agents and their designated uses." She held up a color-coded chart. "Green is for general surfaces, blue is for glass and mirrors, yellow is for restrooms, and red is for biohazards – though hopefully, you won't encounter any of those."
She stressed, "Always use the correct cleaning agent for the surface to avoid damage. And please, be mindful of any strong odors, especially around the testing pods. Some of our testers are in there for extended periods." Bennett remembered the experimental "Lazarus pod" mentioned in the developer's conversation, the one that had experienced critical failures. He wondered if the testers Carol referred to were using similar technology and what kind of "full sensory immersion" they were experiencing in Ludere Online.
"We also have a schedule for deeper cleaning tasks, like vacuuming carpets and mopping floors, which we'll go over separately." Carol handed him a thick binder. "This manual contains all the details on our cleaning procedures, safety guidelines, and contact information for the facilities team. Read it thoroughly."
As Bennett continued to fill out the remaining forms, his mind already began to envision his routine, the quiet hours spent ensuring the Alluring Realms facility was clean and orderly. It wasn't the beta testing role he initially dreamed of, but it was a start. A foot in the door, closer to the cutting-edge technology and the immersive world of Ludere Online. And most importantly, it was a crucial step towards securing the health benefits his son, Brecken, desperately needed. From the mundane task of keeping things clean, Bennett still held onto the hope that a path to something more significant, perhaps even a glimpse into the digital mayhem he’d read about, would eventually unfold. He fastened the new wristband around his wrist, the cool plastic a tangible symbol of his new role and the first step on his unexpected journey.
