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The Dog Hole

Chapter 3: Lights Out

Bears weren't uncommon in this part of the world, as was obvious from her journey, but this was a full-blooded polar bear. She'd never seen one in the flesh before and was taken a little aback. Cane was much larger than that of Gamble. While Gamble was by no means small and had a sizable gut to boot, Cane seemed to dwarf him in comparison. Even for someone perfectly suited for this environment, a navy-blue turtle neck kept his upper half warm while an appropriate pair of pants saw to his lower half.

A massive room near the entrance served as a closet for the entire station. Though it was hard to navigate with just the light of a flashlight, Gamble and Bebe found a few empty spots and left their cold-weather gear on hangers to thaw out and dry.

"Apologies for the lights being out," the director said as the two followed him down the hallway. "Jet fuel is a precious commodity out here. It runs everything, and we've had a couple of close calls where weather prevented a shipment from coming in. So we turn off anything we don't need. The first floor hallway lights are one of those things since everyone here knows their way around it by heart. The rooms on this and the other floors stay lit." Lazily, he turned to Bebe, appearing to see her perfectly in the dark. "What was your name again?"

"Bebe."

Gamble leaned in toward Cane. "She's French."

He had no reaction to that bit of unnecessary knowledge. "I told Outsourcing what we needed and left the rest up to them. The only thing I knew about you was what day you were coming," Cane said matter-of-factually. Just then, the lights came on with a flicker, illuminating the entire hall, and Bebe got a good look at him. His face looked how she expected the face of a director of anything to look; utterly stoic with a bit of dark fatigue beneath the eyes. He walked with his hands clasped behind his back, and she could tell that he felt like his time was being wasted ushering her around. However, judging by how empty the hall was, no one else was exactly anxious to greet the new blood. "Rec room there. Library through there. It is imperative you are absolutely silent when in or around the library for decency's sake."

Bebe hoped she'd have time to enjoy the library since such things were rare these days. The rec was room was interesting as it also doubled as a life raft with all of the provisions needed to sustain everyone on the station for weeks along with its own power access. There was something utterly depressing about the place, though. Pool cues, ping pong paddles, and a foosball table sat neatly in complete disuse. There was even a pinball machine, but it was powered off, of course. Were such places still common back home, they certainly wouldn't be deserted.

"We will keep the lights on for one day just for you. I expect you to have the layout memorized by then. We waste nothing here."

"Not even the waste," Gamble whispered. "I'm serious."

Bebe's spine stiffened not liking what that could mean.

"Will you be leaving now, Mr. Gamble, or waiting out the swell in the guest quarters?"

Bebe had wanted to get curt with the old brown bear herself, but Cane made even her uncomfortable with how much he unabashedly did not want Gamble around. She was slightly relieved to see that Gamble took the words in stride, and there was no need to feel any second-hand embarrassment on his behalf.

"I was hoping for a bite to eat first, actually," Gamble said rubbing his palms together.

Cane rolled his eyes a bit and continued. "Movie room there. Bathroom there."

A glint of light and sound from the darkened movie room caught Bebe's eye and ears. The projector was on, and she worked her neck to see if anyone was inside. There was but, in order to keep up, she had to abandon finding out what they looked like. She only saw the fellow's back while sitting in the dark. He didn't seem to register the three walking by as he watched an old black and white film.

"Mess hall through there," Cane gestured off into the distance. He looked back at Gamble who didn't need much coaxing.

Gamble licked his lips at the smell of dinner. "Au revoir, Bebe." There were three large pairs of double doors. All but one pair were closed with the distant clattering of mild socializing coming from the other side. Entering through the open pair on the far left, Gamble disappeared inside. In a way, it was sad to see him go. He might have been the friendliest fellow here, even if he did rub her the wrong way at times.

"This way," Cane pointed his nose in the pertinent direction. "You'll have plenty of time to get to know the mess hall during your stay here. I assure you."

The tour of the first floor continued with a mail room, comm's room, fire station, exercise room, computer lab, and a few more bathrooms lining the way. One notable point in the tour was a stretch of surprisingly large windows letting in the natural light quickly disappearing over the horizon. She watched the snow outside whip and frenzy about from the comfort of the quiet indoors. There was no doubt in her mind that this was the place to be. No one else was around to enjoy the view, though.

The two rounded a corner, passing a pair of large double door, and walked a short distance until they came to a three-way intersection. Navigation was very simple. From where they stood, Cane explained how one dimly lit hallway lined with doors had the men's quarters, the other identical one had women's, and the final one was laundry and showers. Proceeding down the corridor of women's dorms, they stopped at one on the left. Unlike the others, this one had no name tag on it.

"This will be your room. I'll have someone add your name some time this week." Cane reached into a pocket. "These are your keys. Don't lose them. Laundry day is Tuesday only. If you miss it, you miss it. That concludes our tour."

"Wait." Bebe couldn't believe that was actually it. "When and where do I report?"

"The kitchen, Miss Bebe...everyday," Cane answered patronizingly. "I assumed I wouldn't have to tell the cook that. Do I need to tell you that it's located within the mess hall?"

"No, it's just...it's all just happening so fast."

"Miss Bebe, out here, we don't do a lot of hand-holding, and we run a tight ship. Your presence is supposed to make things easier around here. Not harder. Remember that."

"One more question." "How many live here?"

"Fifty six. Twenty one females. Thirty five males. If you have any real questions for me in the future, I will be in my office. You do remember where that is, yes?"

Bebe nodded, wanting Cane gone as much as Cane wanted to be gone at this point.

"Good."

Cane disappeared back the way he came. The doors closed softly behind him, leaving Bebe with her thoughts. With a jingle, the keys turned in the keyhole and she entered the room about the size of a prison cell. The off-white walls were bare, and the bed to the right was dressed in white sheets and plain gray covers. A desk and chair sat on the far side with an outlet hidden behind it, and a dresser sat to the left. Bebe stepped further inside and took a seat on the bed. This was her home now.